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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

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lectures. On a point raised by Mr. Struthers, he explained that, without sonie such initiation of the scheme, it was feared that the lectures might be wrongly interpreted by Canadian teachers, many of whom had a knowledge of the United States but not of the United Kingdom.

With reference to the Princess of Wales' Fund, Mr. Mackinder said that, so far as Mr. Fisher's work was concerned, material was available for lectures on India and Canada, and for a miscellaneous series dealing with coaling stations and other possessions from Gibraltar to the Far East. The lectures on India were finished and were in the hands of the printers. He anticipated that they would be ready for issue to the public by the New Year. He explained that a set of the slides was in existence, and that further sets would be prepared as they were ordered. He wished to obtain photographs of a glacier in the Himalayas, a general view of Quetta, a railway through the Ghats, Parsis, the Tower of Silence, one or two views in Kashmir, and a typical Indian village in its different aspects.

Sir Philip Hutchins and Dr. Heath promised to help in obtaining the required photographs.

Mr. Mackinder stated that many of the Canadian views were unsatisfactory and the material incomplete. The material furnished by Mr. Fisher for the miscellaneous series, however, appeared to be very good, and would be complete on the receipt of views of Gibraltar and Malta. The preparation of that series would, in consequence, be comparatively easy.

Mr. Mackinder exhibited some coloured slides prepared by Sanger Shepheard, The process gave far better by a new method, direct from Mr. Fisher's sketches. results than any other, but the slides were very expensive.

Lord Meath expressed the opinion that at present every effort should be concentrated on the early issue of the Indian lectures, and Mr. Struthers con- sidered that the slides now available should be used, and that those which were not satisfactory should be replaced gradually by better.

Sir Charles Lucas urged that speed of production should at this stage be the chief aim, and pointed out that only £906 of the Princess of Wales's Fund now remained.

Mr. Mackinder said that he fully appreciated the anxiety of the Committee to hasten the production of the lectures, and explained that the delay had been due principally to his ill-health. He expected, however, to produce three sets of lectures before the end of the three years from the 1st of September, 1907, and hoped to have proofs of the Indian lectures ready for the Committee in a month's time.

Sir Charles Lucas then proposed that the Committee should meet more frequently, and it was agreed that the next meeting should be held on Friday, the 3rd of December, at 4 o'clock, when Lord Meath hoped to be present.

12015

No. 110.

MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE VISUAL INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE HELD AT THE COLONIAL OFFICE ON FRIDAY, THE 3RD OF DECEMBER, 1909, AT 4 O'CLOCK.

PRESENT:

The Earl of Meath (in the Chair).

Sir Cecil Clementi Smith.

Sir Charles Holroyd.

Sir Charles Lucas.

Mr. Mercer.

Mr. Struthers.

Dr. Roberts.

Dr. Heath.

Mr. Mackinder.

Mr. Noall (Secretary).

The minutes of the last meeting, having been previously circulated, were approved.

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Mr. Mackinder produced proofs of seven of his eight lectures on India, and promised that they should be circulated to the members of the Committee and a few others for suggestions. Eight sets of slides were also produced; and Mr. Mackinder explained that each lecture was illustrated by 60 slides, of which 50 were plain, three were coloured maps, six hand-coloured, and one a Sanger Shepherd slide. The price of each set of 60 would be £6, and he was enquiring whether an addi- tional Sanger-Shepherd slide could be included at £6 6s. à set.

Lord Meath suggested that cheaper sets should be prepared to suit the means of the poorer educational bodies. Sir Cecil Smith and Dr. Heath were of opinion that such sets would spoil the sale of the better slides, and it was agreed that at first the best sets possible should be sold. The matter was left in the hands of Mr. Mackinder.

It was understood that very little would be realised from the sale of slides. Mr. Mackinder thought February the best time for publishing the Indian lectures.

The second series, dealing with coaling stations, would be issued by the end of March. He proposed to deal in those lectures with the general aspect of the Imperial question.

The third, or Canadian series, with which he anticipated some difficulty on account of the unsatisfactory nature of the material available for slides, would be ready during the summer.

Mr. Mackinder reported that the introduction of the lectures on the United Kingdom into Canada had been deferred.

The lectures prepared for Canada would serve for South Africa as well. Dr. Roberts introduced the question of participating in the Festival of Empire to be held at the Crystal Palace during the summer of 1910. history of the movement.

He outlined the

It was understood that the festival would not be a commercial undertaking, and that its principal object would be the bringing together of the inhabitants of the United Kingdom and of the Colonies.

The Committee discussed the matter, and on Mr. Struther's suggestion it was agreed that in the first place Sir Charles Lucas should confer with Mr. Lascelles.

Sir Charles Lucas enquired whether Mr. Fisher's pictures could be exhibited at the festival, but Mr. Mackinder and Sir Charles Holroyd did not consider it a suitable opportunity.

Sir Charles Lucas then pointed out that, following the present programme, it was estimated that on the 31st of August, 1910, when the arrangement with Mr. Mackinder and Mr. Fisher would terminate, there would be a deficit of £360. He urged that every effort should be made to avoid incurring debt, and proposed that Mr. Fisher should be recalled or his tour shortened.

The Committee discussed various ways in which a saving might be effected. Mr. Mackinder offered to forgo, for the present at any rate, his fees for authorship, which were estimated at £100. the advertising of the lectures.

A further £100, he submitted, could be saved on He was of opinion that the additional sum required

for present needs would be subscribed if à private exhibition were held of the work done by the Committee.

Lord Meath proposed that when the slides illustrating the "coaling stations" or "Imperial" lectures were prepared, another lecture should be delivered by Mr. Mackinder with a view to securing further subscriptions.

Mr. Mercer suggested that, so far as the Australian continent was concerned, Mr. Fisher should confine himself to the purchase of photographs and their copy- rights.

It was agreed that Mr. Fisher should be instructed to omit Papua from his itinerary, and to proceed first to New Zealand and Fiji, reporting to Sir Charles Lucas at what place a letter of instructions would reach him at the end of February.

It was contemplated that if no other alternative in the meantime presented itself. Mr. Fisher would then be recalled.

Sir Charles Lucas drafted a telegram to be sent to Mr. Fisher through the Governor of Victoria, and at the close of the meeting Mr. Mackinder wrote and despatched a letter conveying to him the decision of the Committee.

• No. 109,

32902

56

(No. 111.

MR. H. J. MACKINDER to MR. A. HUGH FISHER.

MY DEAR FISHER,

Colonial Office, 3rd December, 1909. THE Committee have had a long discussion to-day, with the result that they are not at present quite sure how they will employ the remainder of your time which is at their disposal under the three years' agreement. We have therefore cabled* to you asking you to visit New Zealand and Fiji first, to postpone Australia and to omit Papua. In New Zealand and Fiji you will no doubt find many good subjects. Please utilize every opportunity of locating collections of photographs of Australia which it may be possible for the Committee to obtain and so economize your time in that land, where an artist's work is probably less essential than in New Zealand and Fiji.

We shall be communicating with you shortly by letter due in Australia at the end of February. Whether you go from Sydney via Fiji to New Zealand or vice versa must depend on circumstances. Please, therefore, cable Lucas, Colonial Office, where the letter in question will find you in the latter part of February.

Yours, &c.,

H. J. MACKINDER.

32902

No. 112.

VICTORIA.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.

(Sent 12.40 p.m., 4 December, 1909.)

TELEGRAM.

Referring to my despatch of 18 October,† tell Fisher as follows:-Committee ask omit Papua; visit Fiji, New Zealand, before Australia. Lettert under care of Governor, Melbourne, despatched by mail last night.-CREWE.

See No. 112.

† No. 105.

No. 111.