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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

19.

C.O.

Reference :-

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17 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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explained the reasons for the hasty issue of the Press notice which appeared in the

Times" on the 23rd April.

Completion of Indian Edition.

Mr. Mackinder reported that the completion of the Indian edition had been greatly delayed owing to the destruction of a quantity of slides in a fire which had occurred on the premises of the manufacturer. Ile hoped, however, that the lectures, with 13,000 slides, would be despatched in about a week's time. Dr. Heath, who stated that he would shortly meet Dr. Orange, Director-General of Education in India, promised to convey to him the substance of Mr. Mackinder's report and to ask that after the lectures had been given a fair trial in India, criticisms on their working might be collected. Dr. Heath also undertook to request Dr. Orange to have enquiries made as to the durability of the coloured slides, as the educational authorities in Hong Kong were doubtful of their being able to withstand the climate of the tropics.

Canadian and South African Editions.

The manufacture of so large a quantity of slides for India had naturally retarded the completion of the Canadian edition, but Mr. Mackinder hoped to have it despatched by August. Ten sets of slides were required, one for Ottawa and one for each of the provinces. Mr. Struthers promised to mention the scheme to the Prime Minister of Alberta, whom he would meet shortly.

Regarding both of these editions, Mr. Mackinder pointed out that being intended for use in non-tropical parts of the Empire, their preparation required treatment from a different point of view. than did that of the tropical editions. The slides would also be slightly different, eg., a snow scene and an autumn scene, while strange to Eastern children, would be quite familiar to those in Canada, and would not therefore be employed.

Question of Edition or Editions for Australasia.

Mr. Mackinder reported an interview with a representative of the Melbourne Argus," with a view to that newspaper becoming responsible for an Australian edition. The matter had been referred to Melbourne, and sufficient time had not elapsed for a reply to be received.

After further discussion as to the expediency of again approaching the Govern ments of Australia and New Zealand, it was decided to leave the question in the hands of Mr. Lucas.

Composite Edition.

Mr. Mackinder intimated that this edition would probably be ready during the autumn; arrangements would be made for the sale of separate lectures with accom- panying slides. It was agreed that the issue of this edition be notified in a suitable communication to the Press.

Report as to Princess of Wales' Fund."

Mr. Lucas announced that the fund amounted to about £3,700, in addition to the free passages offered by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. On a question being raised as to the persons in whom the money should vest, it was decided that the responsibility should rest with Mr. Lucas, who would be guided by the advice of the Committee as to its disposal.

On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, the following resolution was unanimously carried :-

"The Committee on Visual Instruction at their meeting held at the Colonial Office on the 6th of June, 1907, wish to place on record their grateful acknowledgments to Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, the Countess of Dudley, and those who have co-operated in raising the fund which has been entrusted to the Committee for the purpose of promoting the knowledge of the Empire in the schools of the Empire, and they would ask Sir Francis Hopwood, to whom their warm thanks are also due for the cordial interest which he has taken in the matter, to be so good as to communicate the sub- stance of this resolution to Her Royal Highness and to Lady Dudley.”

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It was suggested by Mr. Lucas that a copy of the lectures and a set of the slides prepared as the result of the Princess of Wales' Fund might be given to the Victoria League, a similar gift being made to the League of the Empire, and that those two organizations should be invited to undertake any propaganda work that might be decided upon: the suggestion was favourably received, but no decision was

arrived at.

Mr. Mackinder mentioned that he had received a letter from Mr. T. H. Monk, of the League of the Empire, suggesting that the Committee should consider the question of providing pictures (of subjects similar to those on the lantern slides) to be hung in schools; the Committee were not prepared to entertain the idea and Mr. Mackinder undertook to inform Mr. Monk accordingly.

Lectures on the Colonies for use in the United Kingdom.

For the preparation of these lectures, for which the Princess of Wales' Fund was raised, Mr. Mackinder submitted that the first step to be taken was to discover an artist who has devoted a certain amount of attention to photography, and who, when selected, should be retained in this country during the present summer to experiment and to adapt himself to Mr. Mackinder's requirements. To facilitate the selection of a suitable artist, Mr. Mackinder undertook to draw up for circulation to the Committee a paper setting forth the qualifications required in a candidate. On the assumption that a suitable person would be found within the next few weeks, it was decided to hold the next meeting of the Committee about the middle of July.

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No. 153.

H.R.H. THE PRINCESS OF WALES to SIR F. HOPWOOD.

(Received June 13, 1907.)

Marlborough House, Pall Mall, S.W.,

June 13, 1907.

DEAR SIR FRANCIS Horwood,

I HAVE submitted your letter and the copy of the Resolution of the Committee of Visual Instruction proposed by Lord Meath and seconded by Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, to the Princess of Wales, and I am desired to thank you for the one and for forwarding the other.

I am also to ask you to convey to the Committee the thanks of Her Royal Highness for their graceful acknowledgment of what she has so willingly been able to accomplish in forwarding their scheme, as well as to assure you of the Princess's appreciation of your own efforts in the matter.

Believe me,

Yours very truly,

A. NELSON HOOD.

P.S. I am told that the cheque to which you refer in your letter has been forwarded by the Lady-in-Waiting.

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SIR,

No. 154.

HONG KONG.

COLONIAL OFFICE to MR. E. A. IRVING.

Downing Street, June 15, 1907. I AM directed by the Earl of Elgin to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 5th instant,* on the subject of the lantern lectures prepared by Mr. H. J. Mackinder for use in the schools of Hong Kong and other Eastern Colonies.

2. The Education Report referred to has not yet been received; but it is hoped that you will communicate with the Managers of the aided schools, as proposed in your letter, on your return to the Colony.

I am, &c.,

C P. LUCAS.

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