NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1266, 4 June 1896, Page 11

NOTES.

I The •;"' :i men 1 1 <: in th" interest (ak'-n in photography lia.i induced u.i to :cvivo our Camera Notes column. Secretaries of clubs arc invited to send regularly tin account of their proceedings. As, however, wo are anxious to make this column interesting and helpful not only to the members of the particular societies included, but to the general reader also, we should be glad if our correspondents would prepare their reports on line., slightly | different from those generally adopted. We surest that whenever practical papers are read, or demonstrations of new methods or processes are given, attention .should bo jhietly devoted to any original suggestion which may be brought forward, and (ho rest of the description condensed into as small a space as possible. If often happens at a society meeting .hat a member who has been working in a special direction is aide to give some useful nformation or hints to his fellow-members. Such matter, if embodied in the report of he meeting, would be far more interesting ,o the genera] reader than the usual bald tinl unprofitable statements to the effect hat " The secretary read the minutes of ho last meeting, after which ilr Augustus Jryplale read a paper on ' Development.' L'he author treated tho subject at great

pariences. The paper was much appreciated, and was followed by a long discussion. 'The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to Mr Dryplate for his valuable contribution to the proceedings." There is not an atom of useful information to bo extracted from such a repoi t as this, and to print it means a waste of valuable space in the paper. If, on the other hand, tho secretary in preparing his report, had given a summary of the new points raised by Mr Dryplate, and the replies and suggestions evolved during the discussion, nearly every amateur would iin.il the matter not only readable, but: in all probability instructive. "We therefore ask tliose responsible for recording the transactions of the various clubs to follow this course when preparing their "copy," and to reports drawn up on these lines we shall at all times be glad to give space.

I would esteem it a favour if the secretaries of the Hawko's Bay, Wnnganui, Wellington, Nelson and West-land Camera Clubs would remember the hints given in the above "par." which I clipped from tho initial number of the Photographic News, when writing out the reports of their meetings for this column.

Miss A. Mitchell, of Gore, who, it will be remembered, was the first lady to " biko it" over the Rimutaka, is an enthusiastic photographer. During a tour through tho Ota go goldfields recently she took seven dozen shots, and last week I saw a rather original picture of herself. There was a picture of a cycle wheel with the centre nicely vignetted, and in this vignette was Miss Mitchell's portrait.

List week I had a short interview with Mr Ryder, the secretary of tho lOasfman Photographic Materials Company, Ltd., who is on a tour round the world with a view of opening up agencies for tin? sale of his company's manufactures. So far he is very pleased with the result of his visit, and it will have the effect of enabling us always to get this company's materials—a luxury that we have not always enjoyed.

" Why is it that the Solio paper is not more used in Wellington ?" is one of (he questions .Mr Ryder asked. Well, I told him that 1 thought it was because it was not brought suilioiontly before the public. Why 1 think there are some of our amateurs who do not know that there is a paper by that name.

1 went in to sec a professional during the week and took him a print to get his criticism on, and ho said—" Why you use Solio! You are tho first one 1 have come across here that uses it." And he told mo he had used it almost since if had first come out; and, all ye champions of P.0.1'., read what he said when asked if he hail ever used the paper manufactured by the Britannia Company—" Yes, and the worst paper that it has ever been my lot to use."

"While not agreeing with him altogether, I believe there is a great deal to be said in favour of both makes, and I would like to hear opinions from correspondents.

Are we to have our annual exhibition in Wellington this year ? Wake up, members of tin; Camera Club, and don't let this very entertaining and instructive exhibition fall through.

Why is it that more of our members do not show the results of their work, travels, aad study? Surely it cannot be modesty, lor of .all people the "camera man" is, I think, the most devoid of that I was going to say virtue. Bui I fancy it is nothing elso but laziness and indifference.

How many of my readers have die,] u shot during some oi' these tine moonlight nights we have been having? 1 saw a iiue picture of the Ocean Beach, Dunedin, taken by moonlight some little time ago. Tho exposure was two hours and tins stop used F. 32. I would like to hear of tho results achieved by any local men who havo been experimenting in this particular branch. r

Tho Astronomer Jioyai, . pen king at Iho la I, meeting of tho lioyal A.-droiiomieal Society, jjjavo .some in<frosting particulars as to tli" intermit mnal chart of the heaven.s. A special ;-;(:u"f' has been formed for tho work, and already V.U'A) plalos havo been measured. In tho section apportioned to (ireenwich liityjoo stard will bo examined, and (ho whole .-ed-ion completed in about .ix year*. If the olhor observatories work at tho panic ralo, ther will bo in .six yeans a complete catalogue of over two million a tars.

Hy tin.' I'hotogram for .April I learn that tho statements regarding tho successful experiments of Dr Carleton liimon, of New York, arc confirmed. While everybody else was repeating Jiontgen's experiment's with tho X rays, Dr Simon was ';iiioti y completing a series of ex]>ci'imcuts (extending over three years), having photography of the brain as their object. For this work ho do;.'.; not use tiie X ray;;, but us<;; tin', ordinary electric spark in conjunction with sound waves. To use Dr .Simon';; own words;—Tho rays 1 use, in conjunction with sound, are electric rays. So far as the light is concerned, 1 produce) tho effect by atti action of the light and propulsion through the brain substance, At tho time of photographing the whole internal cliamber of the bruin is lighted up." J!y a special arrangement of mirrors tho doctor was able to see the actual working of his brain, in addition to photographing it. The light is thrown upon one side of tho head, while the attractive force is at the other. Tho electric flash passes around tho head, beneath the skin; if tho flash is drawn through the brain paralysis is the