REPORTS OF MEETINGS
He had a long record of public service and devoted a large part of his
wealth to philanthropical purposes. He entered Parliament in 1905 and
was Minister of Agriculture in 1924 and 1929. He was elevated to the
House of Lords in 1930.
JOHN HARLEY RICHTER
John Harley Richter who passed away in the spring of 1948 had been a
member of the Essex Field Club since 1936. He was born in Chingford 58
years ago and resided in the parish throughout his life. Educated at the
Grocers Company's School at Hackney he was associated with the Stock
Exchange in his business life.
From his earliest days his interest in Natural History was stimulated by
the closeness of his home to Epping Forest and he was actively engaged in
several aspects of the subject. He was attracted by the study of astronomy
and was for many years a member of the British Astronomical Association.
He was an able photographer and utilised his skill for natural history pur-
poses. The limitations on his activities imposed by ill-health caused him to
turn to the study of pond life and he became engrossed in microscopy ;
subsequently joining the Quekett Microscopical Club. His ability as a
photographer was then turned to photomicroscopy and his work in this field
reflects the care and patience he devoted to his researches.
The additional strain imposed by the war years, coupled with the loss on
active service of his only son, eventually brought about the onset in 1946 of
the illness from which he did not recover.
REPORTS OF MEETINGS
ORDINARY MEETING (883rd Meeting)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31ST, 1948
This meeting was held at the West Ham Municipal College at 3 o'clock
with the President in the chair. Thirty members attended.
The draft rules drawn up by the Council were discussed and, subject to
one amendment, viz. that the words "accounts, including an account of the
past year's income and expenditure" be substituted for the words "balance
sheet" in Rule 17, the proposal that the existing rules be repealed in their
entirety and that the new rules be adopted forthwith was carried nem. con.
The Hon. Secretary announced that the Council nominated as its Auditor
Mr. C. Hall Crouch. The second auditor had to be nominated by the
members and on the motion of Mr. E. E. Syms, seconded by Miss D. Milroy,
Mr. Richard Ward was appointed nem. con.
This concluded the business and the remainder of the time was occupied
by exhibits. 
Mr. B. Joy, of the Timber Development Association, Ltd.. showed 27
photographs of the shoots and leaves of various conifers all magnified nine
times. These were a selection from a large number of similar photographs
prepared by the exhibitor for a forthcoming work on the subject.
Mr. Syms showed a series of lantern slides of the wings of insects to illus-
trate his remarks on their structure.
Mr. Pratt showed mounted specimens of five species of blue butterflies.
Mr. Howard showed two MS. volumes, illustrated by photographs, on
the plants of Epping Forest which he and two friends had prepared some
years ago.