MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES FOB NEXT WEEK.

CROYDON CAMERA CLUB.

Novelist and home-made apparatus were to the fore last week and despite a gloomy forecast by the secretary, the evening proved complete success. The most welcome novelty, possibly indirectly due to the splendid action of the Liverpool duckers consisted of the contents of a bottle labelled "whisky." which, divided amongst thirty to forty members, was sufficient to alleviate the feeling of resentment born of recent privations.
Mr. F. Ackroyd showed a Bunsen burner converted into gas fire-lighter. This is connected to the gas supply with a length of the familiar lexis’s metallic tubing with rubber connectors. Rubber gradually perishes on exposure to light and air and if the connectors are covered with adhesive black compounded tape (as used for insulating electrical joins) their life will be greatly prolonged. The same idea had occurred to other member, and they congratulated Mr. Ackroyd on his cleverness. Mr. Harpur pointed out that this flexible tubing frequently leaks, which can be prevented by winding round the tape throughout its length without any material lens in flexibility. "Hunt's tape" was alluded to as bring excellent. Mr. Ackroyd next (bowed a beer-warmer, which be said served the purpose of making tea in office hours. This was believed, as be is the antithesis of the beer warmer type. He remarked that the utensil bad a large hole in the bottom, yet had never leaked. Several references being made to "George Washing ton." are explained that as the bole in the metal gradually formed it lied up with a calcareous deposit. He then passed round the beer warmer, and those who bandied it noticed with considerable dissatisfaction a loose carbonaceous deposit on its outer wall. At this point Dr. Knott mistaking the office boy for a towel, a disturbance arose.
The Rev. Le Warne was the next star turn, and it can be said with esurience if be is as successful in converting erring humanity to better things as he is in converting apparatus to weird uses he must be a sky pilot of pristine quality. A handy retouching desk was shown improvised oat of studio dark-slide, and, like an ex-sinner, capable of backsliding at abort notice. The President. Mr. J. Keane then demonstrated the "Flying Corps" developing tank, a well designed and solidly contracted apparatus. It permits of the insertion of a thermometer into the developer without admission of light, a really valuable feature. Dr. F. Knott produced several unbreakable glass measures, which were severely tested by members and came through unscathed. Being composed of glass under tension when they do go only fine dust remains. To those whose halite is engendering feeling of uncertainty regarding the position and number of external objects, they should powerfully appeal.
Mr. V. Jobbing showed a home-made camera "with all projections flush with the front," a feature believed to be unique; also a folding walking-stick tripod. This and the camera illustrated skill in design and craftsmanship of the highest order. The shutter lad its release placed in front and therefore was actuated by pressure towards the body, an ideal way for minimizing any tendency to shake at the moment of exposure. Many others materially contributed to the interest of the evening.

EDINBURGH SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS.

The seventh meeting of the session took place on Monday, April 7, Mr. Young in the chair. A letter was read from Mr. Massie, hon. secretary of the Edinburgh Photographic Society, intimating that the proposed to invite the 1990 Scottish Salon to Edinburgh had been discarded owing to the unsettled conditions. He thanked the society for the interest which the members had taken in the matter.
Mr. Young then read a letter from Mr. Sutherland, secretary of the Edinburgh College of Art. Intimating that the society’s request for this formation of a retouching class had now been granted, on condition that Mr. Young should undertake the tuition personally. This Mr. Young intimated his willingness to do. The class would start in the autumn, and would be held twice weekly, from seven to nine in this evening. Mr. Campbell Harper expressed the society's indebtedness to the president for the manner in which he had pulled this matter through.
Mr. Young then brought up the question of the apprentice. He said that it was now time for the society to formulate a scheme of some definite nature. Letter after letter was being published in the "British Journal" on this question, and, in fact, since he had mentioned the theme in his October address, hardly a week had passed without some contribution of this nature. The P. P.A. merely groped around the subject. The first thing which the photographer could do for his assistant Mr. Young continued, was to see that he received a proper training, and the beginning of that was an apprenticeship. We lived in different times, and the old conditions no longer held good; and we must have some definite schema of modified apprenticeship. In two years' time, he pointed out, every assistant under eighteen yean of age would be compelled to attend classes during business hours, and the newly- arranged retouching class would then become a day class. He added that he would be glad to hear the views of the members on the object, and suggested that a committee be appointed to formulate a scheme.
Mr. Johnston pointed out that the public opinion of photography as a profession was anything but a high one, and hence the difficulty of obtaining boys suitable for apprentices Mr. Young thought that classes of various kinds would greatly help to alter this situation. Mr. Rush brook felt that this was a matter for all the photographers in Britain. It was pointed out, however, that the onus of making a start would devolve on some small body, and, a lead once given, the idea would spread. The great difficulty which all photographers experienced in giving an apprentice a good know-ledge of all the branches was discussed, and it was honed that by the growth in the number of technical sissies the master photographer would be relieved of much personal tuition. A committee, consisting of Messrs. Rush brook, Campbell Harper, and Johnston, was then appointed to consider the whole question and to make a report.
Mr. Johnston then made his report on behalf of the Exhibition Committee. He gave facts and figures regarding the New Gallery, Shandwirk Place. Three weeks would be necessary for the exhibition for the purposes of hanging, and the other two for the exhibition. The probable coat for this, including advertising, would be about 60. It was felt that it would be more dignified if the exhibition were not a competitive one, but a competitive class for assistants might be arranged. Mr. Young said that he was anxious to see this exhibition representative of all classes of photography. It was decided to bring the matter up for further discussion.
A scheme of co-operative advertising was then placed before the members, and the details explained. Some nine firms have so far expressed their willingness to enter into this scheme, which promises to be of great benefit to the profession in Edinburgh.

SOOTH LONDON PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.

At the annual general meeting on Monday, April 7, good progress was reported. The president, Mr. W. F. Slater, F.R.P.S., who has worked o hard for the benefit of the society for the past two years, it well-known figure in photographic circles, and it is with some considerable regret that the rules of the society only permit his occupying that position for the above-mentioned period. As demonstrator and lecturer his services have been much appreciated, and the members present expressed their appreciation. The secretary reported a very successful year's working, with an increase of 33 per cent, in membership. The hon. treasurer reported that the year's working showed a profit, which is gratifying, as the year had been commenced with a balance-sheet showing a slight loss.
The following officers were elected.-President, W. B. Ash mole; hon. secretary, Ernest W. Brooks; hon. treasurer, W. F. Slater, F.R.P.S., F.R.G.S.; hon. curator and librarian, L. J. Blake; hon. portfolio secretary, E. C. Perry; hon. excursion secretary, J. Pick-well; hon. lanterns, C. H. Manger; committee Messrs. Gideon Clark, H. Creighton Beckett. E. R. Bull, C. H. Oak den, Horace Wright. H. Richards, W. H. Howard, W. McEwen, E. W. Taylor, W. E. White, Arnold J. Burt, and E. Gorfin. The new syllabus is now ready, new members are required, and professional workers are invited to join, as this society already includes a good few members of the trade. A copy of the Handbook will be sent free upon application to E. W. Brooks, 4, Ferndale Road, S.W.4. The next meeting at the Central Library is fixed for 7.30 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, when Messrs. Kerotype, Limited, are giving a demonstration of their Kerotype paper.

Meetings of Societies, Commercial & Legal Intelligence.

ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.

         The meeting of Tuesday evening last was one of members only, held for the purpose of discussing the formation of a scientific group within the Society. The discussion was one to which reference is advisedly postponed until the official report of the proceedings in the Society's Journal.

CROYDON CAMERA CLUB.

         Dr. F. Knott, an old member of the club, though far from a veteran in years gave a lecture, entitled "Visual Psychology” which escaped improvement by the secretary, probably owing to doubt as to its significance. Others shared thin, for some cans prepared to hear a dissertation on the mystic and occult; some conjectured a ceresin lovely maiden beloved by Cupid might receive attention; whilst the majority preferred to "wait and see," and, when last week they saw found seeing wee not necessarily believing. As a matter of fact, Mr. Faster Brigham was down for the date, hut remained up at Scarborough However, and he sent such a nice letter of apology, with to "unforeseen circumstance" and the "daffodil disease," all forgave his absence.
         Dr. Knott's paper consisted of two parts the psychology of form and that of colour. It took over an hour to deliver, read at express sped but with excellent articulation. The subject was treated in a yet in a war readily to be understood. The few extracts selected for report give no idea of its scope.
         Psychology he said is a large subject, and the visual branch by no means it’s smallest. It consists of her scientific study of the nature and course of experience. We know a thing, and sometimes we know that we know a thing, but more rarely do we know that we know that we know a thing (tie nothing could be plainer). Classification is important. There are many kinds of sensations, and we are equipped with receivers for all the chief kinds of physical energy, except electricity. Light is especially interesting to photographers as predominantly visual creatures. The eye may he considered as a little camera, with its lens, more or less perfect, capable of being focused and stopped down, with Use retina, acting as o focusing screen the image being upside down, which is reverted by the brain.
         The chief faults of the eye correspond with those from which lenses suffer spherical aberration and astigmatism being present, amongst others. Optical lenses are made of transparent glass, but the media of the human eyes ore slightly turbid, causing "irradiation," which has the same subjective effect on objects as actual turbidity has on objective things. The angle of view of the two eyes is enormous, no lam than 180 deg. in the horizontal meridian and 120 deg. in the vertical, the images received being minatory finished in the centre, and only roughly sketched at she borders.
         There is one spot of extreme sensitiveness in the retina, and another of absolute blindness at die attachment of the optic nerve; but, as in binocular vision the two blind spots never comedies, the defect is unnoticed; also, they almost invariably affect those parts of the field to which, at the moment, attention is not directed. The blind spot is so large that it might prevent our seeing eleven full moons placed in a row. (It transpired in the discussion that this phenomenon has no connection with the two moons seen side by side tinder certain conditions.)
         All are colour blind, the outermost retinal zone being absolutely blind to colour: then come intermediate zones with partial colour vision, and, finally, the innermost with complete colour perception. The lecturer then parsed on to an exhaustive consideration of (binocular vision, perspective, and the theory of colour and its relation to vision. He also showed a large number of highly interesting optical illusions dealing with form, magnitudes, and colour. Considerations of time and space preclude these being touched upon. It should, however, be mentioned that Mr. Sellors alleged that he saw quite correctly many things which correctly he should have seen incorrectly typical of the secretary's perversity.
         In the discussion a point raised 'by Mr. Reynolds resulted in a pretty flare-up between him and Mr. Purkis, the "office boy" -energetically tanning (.lie flames, only to find him enveloped. If any reader with a kind heart and sufficient knowledge can throw any light on the points in dispute, it may avert a repetition of the peculiar triangular duel described by Marryat. The facts are as follows: A cardboard disc, painted (blue and yellow, on being revolved, appeared white. An assumption was then made that the same colors be applied in minute dots in juxtaposition on a piece of white cardboard, when it was agreed that, viewed from a distance, a green emotion could be received. Therefore, why a white sensation in the first place and a green one in the second? About an hour after a hearty vote of thanks had been accorded the doctor for an evening of unusual interest the disputants separated. Mr. Purkis departed resolved to think the matter out; the office boy left with an equally form resolve in an opposite direction, and Mr. Reynolds and his gentle, compassionate smile melted into the night a smile, by the way, which simply touts for tremble.

SHEFFIELD AND DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS'.

         Association. - The usual monthly meeting of the above Association was held in Stephen-son's Cafe, Sheffield, on April 2. There was a good attendance of members, and one new member was enrolled. The evening was occupied in a general discussion on the following subjects: Minimum prices for postcards, the assistant question, keeping a register of employees open to engagement, the training of disabled men as assistants, etc. The secretary was instructed to ascertain full particulars of the Government's proposition for the training of demobilized men .with a view to commencing art business as photographers. It was decided to make an effort to induce district photographers to become members of the Association. A very pleasant evening .was spent, and members seemed to take more interest in the future of the Association than has been apparent for some time. The subject for discussion at the next meeting is, "The Best Artificial Lighting for Studio Portraiture." The Association is open for was members. The hon. secretary's address is 137, Pinatone Street, Sheffield. Manufacturers are invited to demonstrate new goods, apparatus, or novelties at any of the Association's meetings.

A PHOTOGRAPHER'S AFFAIRS.

 

         At the London Bankruptcy Court on Friday last, before Mr. Registrar Franck, the public examination was appointed to be held of Harold Aylmer Jones, photographer 7 Gloucester Terrace, Kensington, W., formerly of 30, Hill Street. Richmond, who alleged his failure to have been caused through loss on the business at 7, Gloucester Terrace and loss of business through domestic differences with his wife, who had obtained judgment him for arrears of an allowance under an Order of the Court case being called on for hearing, Mr. F. T. Garton, who attended as Official Receiver, said the debtor had given the Court a good deal of trouble. He had written to say that he had filed the best statement of affairs it was possible for him to make out and he asked for an adjournment on the ground of ill-health, but he had not fortified his application with a medical certificate.
         The statement of affairs was very incomplete, and the debtor had only attended once upon the bankruptcy officials since he was previously before the Court; therefore, he asked that the examination might be adjourned sine die. When the debtor appeared at the Court on the last occasion he certainly looked unwell, but as he was not present on this occasion he thought the examination could be adjourned sine die.
         The Registrar granted the application upon the ground that debtor had not given a reasonable excuse for his absence.