Lands Department

LANDS DEPARTMENT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

FORMED 1892

1st February 1894 Page 6 - Photographic Review of Reviews

The Lands Department Photographic Society was started about three years ago by the draftsmen in the Department of Lands, and their first annual exhibition was held in June 1893 at the School of Arts. Monthly competitions are now held, definite subjects being allotted to each month throughout the year, including landscape, animals, groups, art photographs, shutter pictures, seascape, street scenes, yachts, interiors, enlargements, architecture, genre, portraits and clouds. Another annual exhibition will be held in June 1894.

1st June 1894 Page 9 - Photographic Review of Reviews

LANDS DEPARTMENT PHOTOGRAPHY
The annual exhibition of photographs taken by the members of the Draughtsmen’s Association of the Sydney Lands Department was held in the Railway Institute, Sydney, on the 14th May, when a very fine collection of pictures of various description puzzled the judges not a little in their efforts to award the prizes according to merit. Messrs. E.L. Montifiore, Henry King and W. R. George succeeded in performing that duty satisfactorily, however, and the names of the successful competitors are:

H.P. Rich, E.S. Vautin, E.T. Davis, D.M. Maitland, R.W. Yale, O.W. Bellhausen, J.R. Yorke, M.Y. Murphy, and W.R. Kenwood.

Some of these gentlemen took prizes under each classification of work, and the general opinion of the visitors was that nobody got more than he deserved. The exhibition was visited by a large number of people who spent a very pleasant evening which was further enlivened by musical selections and a capital show of lantern slides. Altogether the affair was a pronounced success.

ANOTHER AMATEUR EXHIBITION
The Council of the New South Wales Railway Institute announces an open competition in photography with £5O prize money, and no entrance fee to competitors, to take place in Sydney in September next. The amateurs of all the Australian colonies are invited to chip in and help to divide the honors and money. Appended are the particulars as sent me by the honorary secretary, Mr. E.B. Taylor and although the length of the document somewhat severely taxes the space at my disposal this month, I feel that it would be ungracious to neglect the opportunity of giving full publicity to the plucky proposal of the Railway Institute; more particularly as that proposal embodies the most distinctly practical exhibition of the spirit of federation, about which certain politicians talk so glibly, and toward the attainment of which they do so little:

AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
OPEN TO ALL COMERS
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE N.S.W. RAILWAY INSTITUTE

An exhibition and competition, open to the amateurs of the whole of the Australasian Colonies, will be held under the management of the Council of the New South Wales Railway Institute, Sydney.

13th, 14th and 15th September, 1894

£5O will be expended in prizes.
No entrance fees to competitors.
All prize money to be expended in the purchase of trophies.
Judging to be by points.

SCHEDULE
CHAMPION prize valued £10 for the best illustrations of Rolfe Boldrewood’s “Robbery Under Arms”. Three whole plate pictures to be printed on any paper.
Pictures to be framed, at the discretion of the exhibitor, with or without glass.

Special “Railway” prize valued £5 for the best three whole plate pictures on any paper, illustrative of any railway subject.

PORTRAITS
Class A: Six half-plate or larger pictures on opal (not groups).
Class B: Six half-plate or larger pictures of groups on bromide paper.

LANDSCAPES
Class C: Three whole plate pictures on albumenised paper.

LANDSCAPES WITH FIGURES
Class D: Three-half plate pictures on albumenised paper

INTERIORS
Class E: Three whole plate pictures on albumenised paper.

MARINE VIEWS
Class F: Three half-plate pictures on any paper.

ARCHITECTURAL VIEWS
Class G: Three whole plate pictures on any paper.

MISCELLANEOUS
Class H: The best three whole plate art pictures any subject. Competitor’s own composition on gelatino chloride paper, matt or glossy. One prize of £2.

Class J: The best three half-plate art pictures any subject. Competitor’s own composition on any paper, matt or glossy. One prize of £l.

Class K: Three unframed enlargements (any subject), on bromide paper, 15 x 12 inches or larger; one contact print from each negative to accompany enlargements.

Class L: Six 5 x 4 or 1/4 plate pictures on any paper. Hand camera pictures or otherwise.

Class M: Six lantern slides, any subject.

In all classes where not otherwise stated there will be two prizes, one of £2 and one of £l, and certificate for 3rd place in all classes.

Other special prizes may be arranged for, in illustration of the scenery of particular localities.

CONDITIONS
1. All competitors must be amateurs, and all work submitted for competition must be the bona fide work of the competitor throughout.
2. All photographs sent in for competition must have been printed during the last twelve months, from negatives taken by the competitors at any time.
3. All prize exhibits to become the property of the Railway Institute after the close of competition.
4. All pictures to bear a descriptive title.
5. Pictures sent in for competition if masked, vignetted or cut down must be classed under the size of plate used.
6. All work for competition must be free from any sign which would lead to identify it with a competitor, other than the nom-de-plume adopted for that purpose. Such nom-de-plume to be written on the exhibit, and also enclosed with certificate in a sealed envelope containing name and address of the competitor, to be sent to the HON.SECRETARY marked on the outside “Competition".
7. The Council of the Institute reserves the right to reject any picture which in its opinion should not be exhibited.
8. All exhibits must be addressed to the Hon.Secretary and delivered at the Railway Institute, Sydney Station, N.S.W., not later than the 10th of September, 1894.
9. Applications for space with full particulars of proposed exhibits must be lodged with the Hon.Secretary not later than the 3rd of September, 1894.
10. The Council will take every care of the exhibits but no responsibility will be accepted.
11. All exhibits, excepting the “Champion” and Classes “K” and “M,” must be affixed to separate mounts and attached to one piece of cardboard with the class marked thereon.
12. The judging will be by experts on a system of points to be determined by the Council of the Institute.

Each exhibit must be accompanied by the following certificate to be enclosed in sealed envelope containing the nom de-plume:

I hereby certify that the exhibit bearing the following nom-de-plume has been prepared by me strictly in accordance with the conditions published by the Council of the Railway Institute, Sydney, N.S.W.

Signature of competitor
Address
Date
Nom-de-plume

POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED IN ALL CLASSES
Champion Prize: 1st illustrative, 2nd originality, 3rd photographic result.
Railway Prize 1st illustrative, 2nd technique, 3rd photographic result.
Classes A and B: 1st posing, 2nd lighting, 3rd chemical effect.
Class C: 1st pictorial effect, 2nd chemical effect.
Class D: 1st pictorial effect, 2nd lighting, 3rd chemical effect.
Class E: 1st technique, 2nd chemical effect.
Class F: 1st pictorial effect, 2nd chemical effect.
Class G: 1st technique, 2nd chemical effect.
Classes H and J: 1st originality, 2nd illustrative results, 3rd general effect.
Class K: General effect.
Class L: 1st pictorial effect, 2nd photographic result.
Class M: 1st originality, 2nd transparency, 3rd sharpness. Judged on the screen.

The number of points to be allowed to each characteristic will be fixed by the judges prior to viewing the exhibits.

The fullest information will be afforded to all intending competitors on application to the Honorary Secretary.

ERNEST B. TAYLOR
RAILWAY INSTITUTE, SYDNEY, N.S.W.

1st August 1894 Page 4 - Photographic Review of Reviews

“On the Illawarra Road” is the picture that won the 1/2-plate champion prize at the last exhibition of the Photographic Section of the Lands Department of Sydney (N.S.W.). It is taken from a spot just beyond the Undercliffe bridge by Mr. O.W. Ballhausen with a Euryscope Lens at f32, and 2 seconds exposure.

1st August 1894 Page 4 - Photographic Review of Reviews

RAILWAY INSTITUTE EXHIBITION
In connection with this event, which is to take place in Sydney on the 13th, 14th and 15th of September, great and increasing interest is being shown in photographic circles. The inter-colonial character of the competition, and the large number of prizes offered for the numerous classes of work have been productive of a very general response from all the colonies, and its promoters may rest well content with the promise of assured success for their plucky scheme. The names of the gentlemen who have been asked to act as judges are:
J.H. Harvey, Esq., Hon.Secretary of the Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria;
His Honor Judge Docker, President of the Photographic Society of New South Wales;
E.L. Montefiore, Esq., President of the Art Society of New South Wales.

I am informed that an important addition has also been made to the prize list by Messrs. Baker and Rouse, the firm having given the sum of to be divided in five awards of £2 each, in the following classes:
Class A: Portraits.
Class C: Landscapes with figures.
Class E: Interiors.
Class F: Marine Views.
Class M: Lantern Slides.

1st August 1894 Page 11 - Photographic Review of Reviews

RAILWAY INSTITUTE EXHIBITION
AMATEURS, PLEASE NOTE
Just as the "Photographic Review of Reviews" was going to press, I was informed that Mr. Sami. Hordern, of Anthony Hordern & Sons, had offered a special prize, consisting of a gold medal valued at five guineas, for the best collective exhibit in four classes at the forthcoming N.S.W. Railway Institute Photographic Competition. The successful prize-taker at this show will do better than the majority of people who have gone to Coolgardie.

1st September 1894 Page 6 - Photographic Review of Reviews

RAILWAY INSTITUTE EXHIBITION
On the 13th and two following days of September, the Inter-colonial Exhibition of Amateur Photography was held in the Railway Institute, Sydney, and taking into consideration the facts that it was the first of its kind, and that it was introduced with comparatively short notice, the promoters have no reason to be dissatisfied with the response made by amateurs to their invitation. They would, doubtless, have had a larger show from the more distant colonies had more time been given, for the photographic amateur pure and simple is generally to be found in the ranks of the breadwinners in many trades and professions that are somewhat exacting in their demands upon a man’s leisure time, and however improbable the statement may appear, it is unquestionably true that the amateur photographer is among the most modest and the least self-assertive of all those who have a hobby for a pastime, and an art for a recreation. That there are a few among them who are neither the one nor the other is sufficiently evidenced by the character of some of the work sent in for competition, but the charity that covers a multitude of sins envelops them in its kindly folds, and there is always the chance that they may crop up among the winners at some future time and raise a blush for past follies.

The first prize in the schedule is itself the best illustration of the necessity for giving plenty of time to get such a large contract carried out satisfactorily. Even with ample leisure and few amateurs can boast of having that — the champion prize of £lO for the best three whole-plate illustrations of incidents from “Robbery under Arms” could only have been achieved by much skill and patience, or by three successive strokes of abnormal luck. The latter does not appear to have presented itself on this occasion, and the judges were honestly unable to award the prize to the only exhibit sent in. The sum of three guineas was, however, placed opposite the name of the exhibitor, A.H. Hardwick.

The Special Railway Prize of £5 was appropriated by E.T. Davis, of the Survey Office, Sydney; with certificates to W. Williams, Dunedin (New Zealand), and F.W. Petterson, Redfern (N.S.W.).

PORTRAITS ON OPAL: first prize (£2, presented by Baker and Rouse) went to E.S. Vautin, Survey Office, Sydney; and the second (£l, presented by Mr. Dymock) to F.W. Petterson, Redfern (N.S.W.).

GROUPS ON BROMIDE PAPER; First prize (£2, presented by Charles Smith) was withheld by the judges, and the second prize (£l, also presented by Charles Smith) awarded to E.S. Vautin, Survey Office, Sydney, as being more expressive of the opinion of the judges than a certificate of merit.

LANDSCAPES: First prize (£2, presented by Baker and Rouse), J. R. Yorke, Lands Department, Sydney; second prize (£1), F. Browne, Launceston (Tasmania); and equal honors for third place for E.T. Davis and L.D. Maitland, of Sydney.

LANDSCAPES WITH FIGURES: First prize (£2), R.W. Yale, Survey Office, Sydney; second prize (£1), R. Kirk, Sydney; certificate, H.P. Rich, Survey Office, Sydney.

INTERIORS: First prize (£2, presented by Baker and Rouse), J.R. Yorke, Lands Department, Sydney; second prize (£1), F.W. Petterson, Redfern (N.S.W.); certificate, W. Williams, Dunedin (New Zealand).

MARINE VIEWS: First prize (£2, presented by Baker and Rouse), H.P. Rich, Survey Office, Sydney; second prize (£1), W. Williams, Dunedin (New Zealand); certificate, E.S. Vautin, Survey Office, Sydney.

ARCHITECTURAL VIEWS: First prize (£2), A.E. Bradford, Sydney; second prize (£1), F.W. Petterson, Redfern (N.S.W.).

FOR THE BEST THREE WHOLE-PLATE ART PICTURES There was only one exhibit, and no award was made in this class.

THE BEST THREE HALF-PLATE ART PICTURES: First prize (£1), E.S. Vautin, Survey Office, Sydney.

UNFRAMED ENLARGEMENTS ON BROMIDE: First prize (£2), H.P. Rich, Survey Office, Sydney; second prize (£1), W. Williams Dunedin (New Zealand); certificate, C.T. Gosper, Petersham (N.S.W,).

HAND CAMERA PICTURES: First prize (£2), Martin Trenwith, Auckland (New Zealand); second prize (£1), C, Foster Bell, Auckland (New Zealand) certificate, Mrs. F. Anderson, Towrang (N.S.W.).

LANTERN SLIDES: First prize (£2, presented by Baker and Rouse), J. Gazard, Adelaide (South Australia); second prize (£1), Malcolm Ross, Dunedin (New Zealand); certificate, W. Williams, Dunedin (New Zealand).

From the above list of awards it will be observed that the amateurs hailing from the Sydney Lands and Survey offices may advantageously be branded "dangerous” by all intending competitors in future exhibitions. All the more glory therefore for those who can step in and scatter the attention of the judges on that occasion. It is but a very everyday sort of justice to these prize takers, however, to say that the awards in each instance were very honestly earned, and it was a foregone conclusion at an early stage of the proceedings that one of them would get the handsome gold medal presented by Mr. Sam Hordern (Anthony Hordern and Sons) for the best four exhibits. Mr. E.S. Yautin, of the Survey Office, Sydney, won it.

Among the exhibits shown by non-prize-takers were many of great merit and considerable interest, though not in sufficient numbers to cause much anxiety to the judges. These gentlemen (with my apologies for not having previously mentioned them) were His Honor Judge Docker and Messrs. J.H. Harvey and E.L. Montefiore. I have heard nothing but satisfaction expressed about the awards made by them, and the opinion of all persons who have been interested in this exhibition is that the Photographic Committee of the Institute and its chairman, Mr. A.G. Neale, have done a most praiseworthy deed in a particularly pleasant style, and that Mr. J. Douglas, the Hon.Secretary, deserves all the credit he is sure to get, and some over, for a display of secretarial virtues that are not all too common.

1st September 1894 Page 11 - Photographic Review of Reviews

RAILWAY INSTITUTE EXHIBITION
A NEST OF PRIZE-TAKERS
A memo, from the Hon.Secretary of the photographic section of the N.S.W. Lands Department reminds me that eight first prizes and a gold medal constitute a rather large proportion of the prizes carried off by the members of Survey Office, Sydney, from the recent Railway Institute Exhibition, and remarks that these gentlemen “have reason to be pleased with their success”. Undoubtedly they have, and greater reason still to know that they deserved it. The list runs this way: E.S. Vautin, two firsts, one second, one third, and S. Hordern’s gold medal; H.P. Rich, with a similar record of first and third awards; J.R. Yorke, two firsts; E.T. Davis, one first, and one third ; and R.W. Vale, one first. It is well to emphasize this matter by repetition, because it is one that has to be remembered in connection with future competitions. The standard of excellence established by this nest of prize-takers up to date is the mile post that the future record-breaker has to keep his eye on.

Saturday 29th June 1895 Page 11 - The Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney, NSW)

LANDS DEPARTMENT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
The annual general meeting was held on Thursday night at Aarons Exchange Hotel Mr. E.S. Vautin presided. The annual report was unanimously adopted, and referred to the excellent performance of members during the preceding 12 months in the open competitions and exhibitions organized by the Railway Institute, "Photographic Review of Reviews", and Geelong Congress; Mr H.P. Rich having been awarded four first prizes; Mr. R.S. Vautin, two firsts and a gold medal; Messrs R.W. Vale and E.T. Davis, one first each and Mr. M.V. Murphy, silver medal. It had been found necessary to postpone the annual exhibition till October, and that in connection with this fixture two open classes had been added for amateurs, and an additional class for lady amateur photographers.

The election of a committee of management for the ensuing year resulted in the re-election of the present occupants: Chairman, E.S. Vautin; committee, M.V. Murphy, R.W. Vale, and E.T. Davis; hon. secretary and treasurer, O.W. Ballhausen. The formal business was followed by a lantern slide exhibition and competition, many scientific and fine views being excellently reproduced on the screen by the aid of a lantern supplied by Messrs Frost and Shipham.

In the competition the judges (Messrs Ponder and Kemsley) placed the slides in the following order: H.P. Rich, C.O. Glanham, M.V. Murphy.

Monday 1st July 1895 Page 7 - The Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney, NSW)

The annual general meeting of the Lands Department Photographic Society was held on Thursday night at Aaron's Exchange Hotel. Mr. E.S. Vautin presiding. The annual report referred to the excellent performance of members during the preceding 12 months in the open competitions organized by the Railway Institute, "Photographic Review of Reviews", and Geelong Inter-Colonial Congress, Mr. H.P. Rich having been awarded four first prizes, Mr. E.S. Vautin two firsts, and a gold medal. Messrs. R.W. Vale and E.T. Davis one first each, and Mr. M.V. Murphy a silver medal.

The annual exhibition had been postponed till October, and in connection with this fixture it had been decided to provide two open classes for amateurs of the colony generally, and an additional class for lady amateur photographers.

The election of a committee of management for the ensuing year resulted in the present occupants retaining their positions: Chairman, Mr. E.S. Vautin; general committee, Messrs. R.W. Vale, E.T. Davis, and M.V. Murphy; Hon.Secretary and treasurer, Mr. O.W. Ballhausen.

The formal business was followed by a lantern slide exhibition and competition, many scientific and fine views being excellently reproduced on the screen by the aid of a lantern kindly provided by Messrs. Frost and Shipham. The judges (Messrs. Ponder and Kemsley) had considerable difficulty in placing the slides, but eventually decided as follows: Mr. H.P. Rich, 1; Mr. C.O. Glanham, 2; Mr. M.V. Murphy, 3.

Saturday 23rd November 1895 Page 10 - The Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney, NSW)

The third annual exhibition of the Lands Department Photographic Society was formally opened in the presence of a large and fashionable gathering at the Railway Institute on Thursday evening by the Hon. A.J. Gould, Minister for Justice, who, accompanied by the Hon. Joseph Cook, Postmaster-General, arrived shortly after 8pm. The Ministerial party was received by Messrs. J.R. Yorke (president), H.A.G. Curry, C.J. Saunders, A.J. Stopps, D.M. Maitland, Victor Cohen, and the members of the committee.

Mr. Gould, in his opening speech, apologized for the absence of the Hon. J.H. Carruthers, Minister for Lands, who was unable to attend, and complimented the society upon the splendid display of work.

Mr D.M. Maitland, as vice-president of the Photographic Society of New South Wales, also congratulated the society on the quality and quantity of the work shown, there being over 800 competing exhibits, a number which is larger than that of any previous year, while the quality of the work shown is much better.

In the photographic division the judges: Messrs. George, King, and Bayliss; had considerable difficulty in deciding the merits of the numerous excellent exhibits submitted to them for decision. Appended is a list of the awards:

		FIRST	SECOND	THIRD
LANDSCAPE:	SECTION 1:	J.R. Yorke	E.T. Davis	H.P. Rich
LANDSCAPE:	SECTION 2:	H. Newman	R.W. Vale	J.R. Yorke
SEASCAPES:	SECTION 1:	H.P. Rich	J.R. Yorke	E.T. Davis
SEASCAPES:	SECTION 2:	J.R. Yorke	E.T. Davis	R.W. Vale
MARINE:	SECTION 1:	J.R. Yorke	M.V. Murphy	H.P. Rich
MARINE:	SECTION 2:	J.R. Yorke	R.W. Vale	O.W. Ballhausen
HAND CAMERA:		M.V. Murphy	W. Hamilton	C.O. Glanham
ARCHITECTURAL EXTERIORS:	SECTION 1:	W. Jahn	J.R. Yorke	H.P. Rich
ARCHITECTURAL EXTERIORS:	SECTION 2:	J. R. Yorke	O.W. Ballhausen	M.V. Murphy
INTERIORS:	SECTION 1:	J.R. Yorke	H.P. Rich	M.V. Murphy
INTERIORS:	SECTION 2:	O.W. Ballhausen	J.R. Yorke
GROUPS:	SECTION 1:	M.V. Murphy	J.R. Yorke	D.M. Maitland
GROUPS:	SECTION 2:	R.W. Vale	O.W. Ballhausen	D. Maitland
ANIMALS:	SECTION 1:	J.R. Yorke	H.P. Rich	E.T. Davis
ANIMALS:	SECTION 2:	R.W. Vale	J.R. Yorke	E.T. Davis
TRANSPARENCIES:	SECTION 1:	E.T. Davis	J.R. Yorke	E.T. Davis
ENLARGEMENTS:		M.V. Murphy	J.R. Yorke	H.P. Rich
STEREOSCOPIC:		W. Hamilton	M.V. Murphy
CLASS OPEN TO ALL AMATEURS of NEW SOUTH WALES:	SECTION 1:	J.R. Yorke	R.N. Kirk	E.T. Davis
CLASS OPEN TO ALL AMATEURS of NEW SOUTH WALES:	SECTION 2:	J.R. Yorke	E.S. Vautin	W.C. Fisher

SECTION 2: there were 210 prints were entered for competition.

CLASS OPEN TO LADIES ONLY:			BEST GENERAL COLLECTION (the Under-Secretary's prize):
FIRST Miss E. Ison Baker (Ballarat)	SECOND Miss M.E. Oddie (Ballarat)	THIRD Miss Eva C. Chetwynd (Sydney)	Mr. J.R. Yorke

Among the non-competitive work exhibits by Messrs. Russell (Government Astronomer), J. Barling (Under-Secretary for Works), Maiden (Superintendent Technical College), Victor Cohen, G.W.L. Hirst, Foglietta, and others, received considerable attention.

Saturday 6th June 1896 Page 13 - Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW)

THE 1896 KENNEL CLUB SHOW
Entries for the photographic competition in connection with the Kennel Club Show have closed with some fifty-six entries, including some very high-class productions, which will form an interesting feature of the show. The judges appointed are Messrs. D.M. Maitland (Lands Department Photographic Society), J. Smidmore (Photographic Society of New South Wales) and H.G.H. Sandeman.

Friday 31st July 1896 Page 3 - The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW)

A very pleasant evening's entertainment was provided at the Railway Institute last night by the concert and lantern-slide competition, held under the auspices of the Lands Department Photographic Society. The weather was against anything like a large attendance, but the success achieved was such, nevertheless, as will doubtless encourage the society to make these gatherings a periodical fixture. An attractive musical program was provided. After the concert the slides were put through and judged by Mr. H. King, who divided the honors as follow: R.W, Vale, 1; H.P. Rich, 2; M.V. Murphy, 3. The visitors had an opportunity during the evening of inspecting a very fine collection of bromide enlargements kindly lent by Messrs: Harrington and Co. and Baker and Rouse.

Saturday 1st August 1896 Page 11 - The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW)

Notwithstanding the inclement weather, there was a large assemblage at the Railway Institute on Thursday, on the occasion of the photographic lantern slide competition and concert, held in connection with the New South Wales Lands Department Photographic Society. For the competition there were 12 entries, six from the Lands Department Society and an equal number from outside societies. A number of non-competitive slides were kindly lent by Messrs. Baker and Rouse. In the competition Mr. H. King acted as judge and the prizes were awarded as follows:
R. W. Vale, 1; H.P. Rich, 2: M.V. Murphy, 3.

The winners are members of the Lands Department Society. Prior to the lantern slide competition an enjoyable concert was given, to the program for which a vocal quartette was contributed by Messrs. W.H. Parkinson, F. Pitney-Martin, G. Grimm, and W.H. Foggity; a cello solo, by Signor Podenzana; songs by Miss Amy Simpson, Miss Constance Evelyn, and Mr. G. Grimm; a mandolin solo, by Signor Podenzana; a humorous recitation, by Mr. Harry Leston; and a trio, by Messrs. W.H. Parkinson, F. Pitney-Martin, and W.H. Foggity. The accompaniments were provided by Messrs. George Grimm and F. Pitney-Martin. Mr. O.W. Bellhausen acted as secretary.

Saturday 5th December 1896
Page 5 - Evening News (Sydney, NSW)
Page 10 - The Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney, NSW)

LANDS PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
FOURTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION
The fourth annual exhibition in connection with the N.S.W. Lands Department Photographic Society was opened by the Hon. J.H. Carruthers M.L.A., Minister for Lands, at the Railway Institute, last evening, a large assemblage of visitors being present. Besides the photographic display a well arranged musical program was rendered during the evening under the direction of Mr. J.H. Parkinson. The pictures entered for competition are arranged in groups round the walls of the institute. Although the number of pictures exhibited is not equal to previous years, the general standard of work is higher. The exhibition will be open during this afternoon and evening, when another concert and lantern exhibition will be given, admission being by members invitation or application to the hon. secretary (Mr. W. Hamilton).

The following is the list of prize takers:

			FIRST	SECOND	THIRD
LANDSCAPE:	SECTION 1:	(over half-plate); 26 entries:	M.V. Murphy	E.T. Davis	J.R. Yorke
LANDSCAPE:	SECTION 2:	(half-plate and under); 42 entries:	R.W. Vale	J.R. Yorke	H. Newman
SEASCAPES:	SECTION 1:	8 entries:	M.V. Murphy	J.R. Yorke
SEASCAPES:	SECTION 2:	9 entries:	R.W. Vale	O.W. Ballhausen
CHILD LIFE:	SECTION 1:	16 entries:	J.R. Yorke
CHILD LIFE:	SECTION 2:		J.R. Yorke	M.V. Murphy
BOATING AND SHIPPING:	SECTION 1:	22 entries	J.R. Yorke	M.V. Murphy	H.P. Rich
BOATING AND SHIPPING:	SECTION 2:	30 entries	R.W. Vale	J.R. Yorke	H.P. Rich
ANIMALS:	SECTION 1:	11 entries	J.R. Yorke	H.P. Rich	J. Brooks
ANIMALS:	SECTION 2:	13 entries	H.P. Rich	R.W. Vale
NATIVE FLORA:	SECTION 1:	15 entries	H.P. Rich	E.T. Davis
NATIVE FLORA:	SECTION 2:	19 entries	E.W. Vale	W. Hamilton
ENLARGEMENTS:		18 entries	E.T. Davis	M.V. Murphy	J.R. Yorke
GROUP:		3 entries	H. Newman
HAND CAMERA:		16 entries	M.V. Murphy	W. Hamilton	J.R. Yorke
LADIES CLASS:		25 entries	Miss B.V. Maher	Miss E.B. Bassett	Miss F. Marr
OPEN CLASS (all amateurs of N.S.W.):	SECTION 1:	52 entries	E.A. Bradford	R.S. Pearce	J.R. Yorke
OPEN CLASS (all amateurs of N.S.W.):	SECTION 2:	66 entries	W. Johnson	W. Hamilton	J. Brooks Thornley

Saturday 5th December 1896 Page 11 - The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW)

LANDS PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
FOURTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION
The fourth annual exhibition of the Lands Department Photographic Society was opened last night in the Railway Institute by the Minister for Lands (Mr. J.H. Carruthers), in the presence of a large audience. The exhibits, arranged in groups round the walls of the building, were for the most part of a high order of merit. The gem of the collection without doubt was a beautiful autotype entitled "The End of the Book", by Mr. J. Brooks Thornley. Other pictures deserving special mention were "Jilted" and "Oh, What a Beauty", by the same exhibitor, the latter being awarded third prize in the open class. The exhibits in the "native flora" class consisted for the major portion of flannel flowers, one of these taking first prize, and a waratah second, while a sprig of salt bush made a pretty picture, though it remained unrecognized.

Tuesday 7th December 1896 Page 6 - The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW)

LANDS PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
FOURTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION
The fourth annual exhibition of the Lands Department Photographic Society was opened last evening at the Railway Institute by the Hon. J.H. Carruthers, Minister for Lands, in the presence of a very large gathering. In declaring the exhibition open, Mr. Carruthers highly commended the study and practice of photography, and complimented the society upon the many artistic productions which adorned the walls. The pictures were not quite so numerous as those of last year, and the opinion of many was that the display as a whole suffered by comparison.

Monday 8th December 1896 Page 6 - The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW)

LANDS PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
FOURTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION
The annual exhibition in connection with the Lands Department Photographic Society was brought to a close in the Railway Institute on Saturday night, there being a large attendance at the concert, which included items from the Feldwick Glee Club, Signor Podenzana, Miss Constance Evelyn, Miss Madeline Clune, and Mr. Harry Leston. Mr. N.J. Gehde acted us accompanist. There were 71 entries in the lantern slides competition, the pictures all being shown. The judges (Messrs. C. Bayliss, H. King, and E.J. Welch) awarded the first prize to Mr. H.P. Rich, of the Land's Department, for his representation of a spray of flannel flowers. This gentleman was also awarded third prize for his picture entitled "Rats", a barking cur. The second prize fell to a pretty picture of Parramatta Park, by Mr. R.W. Vale, of the Lands Department.

Saturday 30th January 1897
Page 5 - The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW)
Page 9 - The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW)

The fifth annual general meeting of the Lands Department Photographic Society was held last night at Aaron's Exchange Hotel. The annual report and financial statement was read and adopted, it showing a satisfactory balance to start the new year with. The following office-bearers for the year were duly elected: Mr. J.R. Yorke, chairman: committee, Messrs. Ballhausen, Davis, Murphy, Rich, Vale, and W. Hamilton, Hon.Secretary and Hon.Treasurer.