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430 THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. LJULY 6,1 1883. achieved by soaking the plate in a solution of alum and acid previous to fixing. Mr. A. Haddon had stated that the stain was removed by soaking in alum and acid, but on washing to get rid of the acid, the stain re-appeared. Mr. F. A. HART produced an instantaneous picture of albatrosses flying, taken by a drop shutter passing through the stop slot. Mr. J. Trail Taylor exhibited some very fine prints, speci mens of American dry plate work, and a very fine series of Autotypes, including a view of the New York “Cleopatra’s Needle.” The following question was found in the box:—“ What are the advantages (if any) of using a single combination of the rapid symmetrical lens (Ross). Mr. J. Trail Taylor said it would be of much longer focus, and a picture about half as large again would be obtained. Another question from the box was then discussed—viz : “ Can anyone give a formula for printing on ivory without silver—not a transfer process, but one depending upon the action of uranium, or per-salt of iron acting upon gold or platinum ? ” Mr. W. E. Debenham said that such processes had been published, the ivory being sensitised with either uranium or platinum, and developed with iron or gold. Mr. Taylor suggested thoroughly washing the ivory to remove all grease, then sensitise it with nitrate of uranium, and develop with gold. Messrs. J. H. Hare and H. J. Dale were elected members of the Association. The meeting then resolved into the first annual general meet ing, and the Hon. Secretary presented the reportas follows “In presenting the first annual report of the London Provincial Photographic Association, the members must be con gratulated upon the success of the undertaking. The Association was formed to supply a long-felt want—viz., a society whose meetings should be of a more social character than those of the then existing societies, whose proceedings should be open to publication, and the subscription to which should be sufficiently low to enable all members of the profession to participate in its benefits. This latter requirement has been met by the annual subscription being fixed at the small sum of five shillings. So far the efforts of the promoters have been success ful, there being now nearly one hundred names on the books. By the Treasurer’s report it will be seen that, after paying all liabilities, there is a balance in hand of €2, and to this must be added the amount of several subscriptions received since the audit, making a total balance of £3. During the year many papers have been read, demonstrations given, and discussions have taken place, and by means of the reports published weekly in the photographic journals, much information of value to all concerned in photography has been disseminated. It is with deep regret we have to chronicle the death of two valued mem bers, viz., Messrs. C. G. Collins and T. J. Pearsall, both of whose names are well known in the photographic world, and whose loss the Association can but deeply deplore. A gelatine plate competition has been organised, and this, with other kindred matters, will, it is to be hoped, tend to make the Associ ation even more popular.’’ ■ Mr. Mackie proposed, and Dr. Thompson seconded, that the report be adopted—carried unanimously. The Treasurer then presented the balance sheet for the past year, which was also unanimously adopted. The following officers were elected for the year ensuing :— Trustees—W. E. Debenham and W. K. Burton. Treasurer—W. H. Prestwich. Curator—A. Haddon. Secretary—C. Bennell Cutchey. A vote of thanks to the officers for their work during the past year was carried unanimously. A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman closed this part of the proceedings, when Mr. A. L. Henderson, throwing open the doors of another room, invited the members to join him at a cold collation there prepared. The following toasts were drank, and responded to :—“ The Queen,” “ The Association and Officers,” “The Photographic Press,” and “ The Chairman,” the last-named toast being drunk with all honours. North Staffordshire Photographic Association. A meeting of this Society was held on Thursday, June 28th, in the Ante-room, Town Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Mr. W. C. Potter occupying the chair. Mr. Henk was elected a member of the Society, and Mr. W. Alex. Jones was proposed as a member for election at the next meeting. . It was resolved that the necessary arrangements for the Society’s first excursion be left in the hands of the committee. Some of the members, advocates of the wet collodion pro cess for landscape work, challenged an equal number of gelatine plate workers to accompany them on the same day, under similar conditions of light, and on the same subjects, to take simultaneous negatives and compare the results, the whole number of members to decide who had won the day. It was, after some discussion, decided that the above plan should be adopted. A Member stated that when gelatine plates were introduced a few years ago, he and another gentleman were engaged in taking instantaneous street views in London. He himself used wet collodion, and whilst the negatives he obtained were in every way perfect, he could secure three to his dry-plate friend’s two. Mr. Burgess remarked that the most favourable conditions must have been necessary for the above. The Chairman said that he was pleased to see such an interest shown in the wet process by the members present, and he hoped that at the next excursion they would demonstrate theory by practice. He himself should join the collodion party ; but he thought it absurd to set up collodion against gelatine, unless under the most favourable circumstances as regards pro pitious weather and chemicals in good order. The Chairman then called upon Mr. Jones to read his paper on “ Light and Lenses.” The paper was listened to with great interest, and a unanimous vote of thanks to Mr. Jones was passed. After some discussion, and explanation by Mr. Jones of some points in his paper, the meeting separated. Liverpool Amateur Photographic Association. The usual monthly meeting of this Association was held at the Free Library, on 'Thursday, the 28th ultimo, Mr. Boothroyd (President) in the chair. After the usual formal preliminaries, Messrs. J. T. Smith, T. J. Smith, J. M. Jones, and T. Haworth were elected members of the Association. The Chairman, in commenting upon the large accessions of new members to the Association of late years, desired to remind those who had not presented copies of their portraits to the album that they should do so without delay. Mr. W. H. Kirkby thought it would facilitate the making known of new members to the older associates of the Society if the proposer or seconder of each neophyte were to introduce him to the President and Hon. Secretary, and then, very necessarily, to the Treasurer. The Hon. Secretary then read Mr. J. A. Forrest's report of the recent meeting at Conway, when some twenty of their confreres enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. Lewis Hughes, and upwards of one hundred negatives were taken in and about Conway. Mr. Forrest’s notes are attached to the present report. The CuArRNtaN proposed a resolution thanking Mr. Hughes, in the name of the Association, for his magnificent hospitality on the occasion referred to by Mr. Forrest. Nothing could have been more enjoyable than this excursion, and the sumptuous entertainment provided for the members by their host closed the proceedings of the day in a most agreeable manner. Mr. J. H. Corkhill, in seconding the resolution, said that he would abstain from referring in detail to the many er joy- ments of a most delightful excursion, out of consideration for the feelings of those members who had been unable to be present. The resolution having been carried by acclamation, The Hon. Secretary referred to the kindness of Mr. Pochin, of Gian Conway, who had thrown open his splendid grounds to the Association, and had afforded very great pleasure to those who had been able to visit them. Mr. J. H. T. Ellerbeck seconded a formal vote of thanks to Mr. Pochin. This vote also having been c rried, the Hon. Secretary was authorised to communicate with b ith Mr. Hughes and Mr. Pochin, and convey to them the thanks of the Association. Mr. E. Banks then read his paper on “Hydrokinone as a Developer ” (see page 427), and at its close presented a number of packets of it for distribution among the members.