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from a pipe below the tap, kept burning, and re-lit the burner each time the gas was turned on. Mr. Wellington remarked it had been stated that inferior silver was found to be the cause of green fog: this was quite in accordance with his experience. When he used a low-priced silver, green fog was invariably the result. He now used only the best silver, getting perfectly clear emulsions. Mr. A. Haddon supported this view. With a certain silver he could get only fog ; he tried many formulas, with a change of chemicals, with no better result, until he replaced the silver with some of a better quality, when the fog disappeared. Mr. W. E. Debeniiam was also of this opinion ; in his case he generally purified his silver previous to using it, any organic im purity being traced with perchloric acid. Mr. TRINKS passed round a very interesting micro-photograph of eighty named diatoms, mounted by Mr. Moller. The names of the diatoms had been first photographed, and the film floated on to the glass micro mount; the diatoms were then arranged in the small circles left for them. The exhibit was viewed by the aid of a Coddington lens passed round with it. Mr. Trinks sub sequently gave a detailed method of getting a sharp focus when taking a micro-photograph—such as a newspaper or any other object. The newspaper being fastened to a board, a large letter was drawn immediately above it on the board. This letter was sharply focussed ; the object, being in the same plane, would then be of the same degree of sharpness. PHOTOGRAPHERs’ Benevolent Association. The usual Board of Management meeting was held at the Offices, 181, Aldersgate Street, E.C., on February 4th. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and Messrs. W. J. Anckom, H. Cox, and E. Hobbis were elected members of the Association. The ordinary business having been disposed of, it was followed by the Annual General Meeting, Mr. W. S. Bird presiding. The proceedings were commenced by the reading of the minutes of the last general meeting, which were confirmed. The Secre tary then read his report and balance sheet, as follows :— In submitting my Report of thebasiness done during the year’ I desire to call special attention to the increased membership subscription, being £24 9s. as against £17 os. in 1883, notwith standing the fact that the reduction of subscription makes a difference of 2s., Is., and 6d. respectively per year, to members paying their contributions quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly, and for the first time exceeds working expenses. This is encouraging, and should the same progress continue, it would result in the general and more hearty co-operation of the employers, who naturally desire to see the assistants endeavouring to help them selves ; and I ask assistants to recognize this fact, and do their part towards maintaining the Association, by providing an adequate fund to enable its usefulness to be extended ; likewise to establish the pension funds, which cannot be done with the limited capital now at its disposal. It behoves every member to bring the Association under the notice of their photographic acquaintance, point out these facts, and do all in their power to assist the executive. Donations amounting to £19 2s. Gd. have been received, in sums varying from £3 3s. to 5s. The evening at the exhibition of the Photographic Society of Great Britain resulted in an addition to the funds of £8 9s. 4d. The working expenses are about the same as in previous years, and I believe all will agree that the S iciety is worked on the most economical principle, and that nothing can be done to reduce that item, if any administration is to be maintained. At the same time I would point out, that if the Society were ten times its present strength, it could be carried on with a very trifling extra outlay. The assistance granted this year is £8, and the claims on the fund have been for several years small, because through the Asso ciation, its membershave, when required (v.ith few exceptions), been found situations; beyond which, the Association has assisted non-members to employment, when among the members none were out of work. To aid the Society in this department, employers requiring assistants are requested to communicate with the Secretary. The summary of the year’s business is, that the income is £52 Os. lOd.; disbursements, £31 4s. 81. ; increase to the funds, £20 16s. 2d. The Chairman, addressing the meeting, dwelt on the meagre support the committee received, alike from large commercial houses, professional photographers, and their assistants. The latter he considered most likely to need the good effices of such a fund ; but they had not adequately proved, by the member ship roll, that they appreciated the efforts which had been made by the committee. Personally he had canvassed the leading commercial firms, and knew that it was not from any want of charitable consideration that their donations had been so small; but the lack of spontaneity among the employers and assistants’ subscriptions made them doubt if the profession cared for the success of the Association. They were ready to contribute freely if the Society could be made numerically strong enough to worthily represent the benevolent inclinations of an import ant profession. The Society had an accumulated fund of £180, but the annual income ought not to be less than twice that sum. He submitted that it was little use continuing on the old lines, but that a final effort should be made to establish the Association on a wide basis, or to consider the propriety of abandoning their charitable effort. He had "Obtained from the commercial houses such assurances of support, that he believed something like an income of £100 per annum would arise from that source, pro vided the membership roll could be increased to 300 before the end of the year. There were over one thousand established photographers conducting business in the kingdom, so that another £100 annually might reasonably be expected from them, if the great body of assistants showed themselves earnest in the matter. If the stipulated number of members could not be obtained after the generous response made to him by the leading trading firms, he felt they would not be justified in asking for further donations, as their efforts had not met with the success expected, and with so small a revenue the expenses could not but contrast unfavourably with the income. The Chairman’s announcement was considered ef such supreme importance, that after discussion the meeting was adjourned to consider the best method of bringing the subject under the notice of the profession, and to take necessary steps to ascertain the views of the fraternity. The meeting was adjourned till the first Wednesday in May. For the information of those who may be unacquainted with the objects of the Association : it was established to assist members, their wives, and children, when in distress through sickness, death, or want of employment, by means of immediate grants of money; to grant annual pensions to aged members; and to aid the unemployed members in obtaining situations. Photo graphers, professional and amateur, and assistants, are eligible for membership. Subscriptions are as follows:—Quarterly, 2/6 ; half-yearly, 5/-; or yearly, 10/-. North Staffordshire Amateur Photographic Society. The usual monthly meeting was held on Wednesday, Feb. 4th, at the Mechanics’ Institute, Hanley, Mr. C. ALFIERI (President) occupying the chair. Mr. F. J. Emery (Vice-President) showed a splendid series of instantaneous photographs of yachts and shipping, taken by Messrs. West, of Southsea; these pictures were much and deservedly admired. Mr. Hall exhibited a dark room lantern, from Newton and Co., Liverpool. Mr. W. B. Allison handed round for inspection of the members a number of lantern slides made by Mr. C. Fincham, of Dulwich, which were greatly admired, both for their vigour and their delicate half-tone ; some of the slides were then thrown upon the screen from the President’s lantern, the light used being a three- wick oil lamp, of Lancaster, giving a ten feet disc. The plan of holding meetings fortnightly having been success ful, it was determined to continue the same during the remainder of the winter. Messrs. Frank Emery, Jun., A. Furnival, and J, Bourne, were elected members of the Society. Halifax Photographic Society. The monthly meeting was held on Tuesday evening, Feb. 3rd, the Rev. W. E. Hancock, M.A., in the chair. There was a large attendance of members, and the meeting was one of much interest. Mr. MroTT introduced Mr. Forsyth, of the Bradford Photo graphic Society, together with Mr. Grayson, camera maker, of the same town. Mr. Forsyth afforded the Society the privilege of inspecting some very fine 15 by 12 pictures, of his own work, which were greatly admired.