ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1964
333
with distinction. Under his guidance the Club's collection of
Essex books grew in importance and included many unusual and
interesting volumes. He was a Fellow of the Genealogical Society,
and his deep knowledge of such matters was an extra incentive to
add to his collection of book-plates. Of these he had what was
probably the finest collection in Britain. Many of which he
secured from the secondhand bookstalls in a City road, where he
was well known to the stall-holders as a respected and knowledge-
able collector.
Of a whimsical nature he could not resist a joke and his
responsive laugh was most infectious. It is to be regretted that
although he had such a vast and detailed knowledge he did not
write many papers nor speak on his subject. Only one paper
under his authorship has appeared in The Essex Naturalist.
PROFESSOR FRANK W. JANE, 1901-1963
The sudden death at Ibadan. Nigeria, of one of the Club's past
Presidents came as a great shock to many members who knew
him. His association with the Club commenced in 1923 when
he was a student at West Ham Technical College, after which he
assisted Mr Percy Thompson for a few years in the establishment
of a laboratory for the conservation of our biological specimens.
He continued to take an active part in Club affairs throughout
his life. He occupied the Presidential Chair for four years from
1946—a period which was a crucial one for the Club, as it was
during this period that the Agreements with the County Borough
of West Ham were reviewed and rewritten to meet post-war
circumstances. Professor Jane proved to be a shrewd and wise
negotiator and the Club has no cause to regret the decision made
at that time in which he took so important a part.
After 20 years at University College where he filled successively
the position of Asisstant Lecturer and Reader he was appointed
to the Chair of Botany at Royal Holloway College (London
University) in 1949.
As a timber technologist he was known throughout the timber
trade and his text book The Structure of Wood is accepted as the
standard for students. His knowledge of trees was unsurpassed
in the Club and he was ever ready to assist with problems of
identification. He was frequently called upon to assist in trade
disputes, where his authority was unquestioned.
Annual Report for 1964
The year 1964 has seen a change of President. Mr T. H. C.
Bartrop has held office very ably for the past three years and has
entertained us with his presidential addresses. The Council
nominated Mr B. T. Ward as his successor, an amateur botanist