THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
259
A short journey on the tram took the party to the residence of Dr. Nicholson,
by whose Wildness and hospitality tea was partaken in the lovely rose garden, and
before leaving a vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. Briscoe and seconded by Mr.
W. Cole, was accorded to Dr. Nicholson.
The first Annual Meeting was held in the Masonic Hall under the Chairmanship
of Mr. Briscoe, who was supported by Mr. Victor Taylor (hon. sec.) and Mr.
Shenstone. Mr. Taylor read letters of apology for absence from Lord Rayleigh
(Patron of the Survey), Mr. J. Mcintosh (Secretary of the Royal Photographic
Society), Viscount Middleton (President of the Photographic Survey of Surrey),
Professor Meldola, F.R.S., Sir Benjamin Stone, Mr. F. W. Rudler, I.S.O.,
F.G.S., Mr. G. Scammell (hon. sec. National Photographic Record Association),
and a number of other gentlemen. Mr. Taylor read the Annual Report for the
year ended December 31st, which was as follows :—
" Considering that this Association has only recently completed the first
year of its existence, fair progress has to be recorded, although so far fewer con-
tributors have offered their assistance either in donations towards the expenses or
in kind than had been anticipated. Among those who have come forward to
assist in the important work, the thanks of the Council of the Survey are
especially due to the Woodford Photographic Society, whose handsome
contribution of a set of about 200 prints, comprising the survey of Woodford, is
as artistic as it is comprehensive. Fortunately this Society commenced the work
several years ago, and some of the prints record parts of the district the aspect of
which has since been completely changed in giving place to modern requirements.
This only emphasises the necessity of record work being proceeded with without
further delay, for our towns and villages are rapidly undergoing change, and relics
of bygone days and curious customs are fast disappearing, soon to become
merely a memory, unless a systematic record is now undertaken. Many good
prints, and also engravings of value, showing the old mansions and chinches as
they were a century or more since, have been sent in by members of the Council
and by individual contributors ; the Essex Field Club has contributed towards
the requirements of its child, the Survey ; Mr. Miller Christy, the President, has
generously handed over about 200 rare and interesting engravings and process-
prints ; while numerous friends are engaged in surveying. The accounts made
up to the end of 1905 showed there were only 26 subscribers, and there was a
balance in hand (which has since been diminished) of £5 10s. 9d."
The Chairman said the report, on the whole, was a very satisfactory one, and
he hoped that at the end of next year, when the Survey had become better known,
they would have to record a larger number of gifts. In giving a short address on
the object and work of the Survey, Mr. Briscoe mentioned that the Town
Council of West Ham had agreed to house the prints and other contributions in
the Essex Museum of Natural History, and to provide cabinets and other
necessities for safe preservation, on the condition that the collection was a perma-
nent one. Should the Survey go out of existence at any future time the Cor-
poration would take up the control of it, so that permanency would be secured.
The Chairman appealed to the amateur photographers in Essex to give the
Survey as much help as possible. They could communicate with the Secretary,
who could suggest a particular district for their operations, so that every neigh-
bourhood in the county might be properly worked. From a neighbourhood like
Colchester they ought to have the assistance of 30 or 40 photographers, and they
would be pleased to receive contributions. He also appealed to all who had