PM Transcripts

NATIVE FLORA Dl.-jINGS ACCEITD BY THE
GOVERN, 1ENT
The Prime Minister yesterday accepted, on behalf of
the Australian Government, a set of 20 botanical water-colour
drawings of Australian native flowers eyecuted by the botanical
artist, Miss Margaret Stones. It is hoped to display the
drawings in King's Hall, Parliament House, for about a week
commencing on 20th February.
The drawings, which were commissioned by the
Commonwealth Art Advisory Board, include studies of Kurrajong,
Banksia, Flannel flower, Kangaroo paw and Eucalypt.
Miss Stones, a Victorian by birth, now resident in
England, visited Australia especially to paint the series. Most
of her work in London is done at the famous Kew Gardens Herbarium,
She is the illustrator for Curtis's Botanical Magazine, which has
been published since 1789 and is the oldest publication of its
kind in existence. In addition, -he has illustrated numerous
other publications. She is currently engaged in illustrating
African " Flora" being produced at Kew Gardens. Among other
recent publications she has illustrated, are three books on
rhododendrons, shrubs and trees for the English publisher,
Nelsons. She is also working on an important series of Lily
studies for the Royal Horticultural Society, which are being
published as a supplement to the standard work Elwes " Lily
Monograph" first published in l880o
FOR INFORPMATION: Miss Stonries is in Canberra until 4 pono on Friday,
16th February. She is staying at University House and may be
contacted there. If photographs of some of the drawings ay.: o
required, they can be made available for this purpose in the
Prime Minister's Departiment. The Socretary Art Advisory Board
can be contacted on UI411 or U1443 or ( at home) 7-8398.
Commonwealth Art Advisory Board,
CANBERRA, February, 1962o P M No^ Ui