Page:The Building News and Engineering Journal, Volume 22, 1872.djvu/397

 May 10, 1872. THE BUILDING NEWS. 375 ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION. pie annual business meeting of this Association t was held on Friday evening last at No. 9 Conduit-street, Mr. Rowland Plumbe, President, in the chair. It was announced that arrangements were in progress for a visit to S. Alban’s Abbey. THE CLASSES OF THE ASSOCIATION, Mr. J. 8. Quirrer, Hon. Sec., said that although late in the session, there was still time for the for- mation of two or three classes. A class for water- colour drawing was about to be commenced. It was also proposed to commence a class for surveying, as the class formed last year was attended with very beneficial results. It was further contemplated to start a class for the study of geology, or else to have a course of lectures upon the subject by some com- petent authority. Another class was proposed to be formed for the study of chemistry, and Mr. T. Roger Smith had kindly consented to deliver a course of lectures on professional practice. The latter, how- ever, would not take place uutil next session. Mr. RinGe asked the members what amount of support the Elementary Class of Design was likely to receive next session. It had been very badly supported of late. The CHArrMan said it would be a really serious thing for the members of the Association if the Committee were compelled to give up this class by reason of its lack of support by the members. There was no means of gaining knowledge by the young architect in any way equal to that which was open to him by joining the classes of the Association. He did not think the fault was in the working of the classes. He could only think that the younger members were thinking that there was some royal road to the practice of the profession, and that they could get on without troubling themselves to study much. If so, they were greatly mistaken. (Hear, hear.) Mr. T. RoGer Smirn said it had always struck him that the Elementary Class of Design was the best thing the Architectural Association had ever started—(hear, hear)—and it was one of the best facilities—perhaps the best facility—open to young men in London for understanding generally not only the principles of design, but a great many other things which it was necessary for them to know in connection with the various branches of their profes- sion. In that class, the architecture of different epochs, countries, or peoples was studied from time to time, and the members were set to design certain examples for which precedent or authority could be quoted for every detail. This gave the members of the class a thorough insight into the rules and prin- ciples governing each of the styles in which they worked. Mr. Quiurer said that if they were unable to obtain sufficient names that night for forming the proposed new classes, perhaps it would be better not to start them until next session, seeing the want of support that was experienced by the Elementary Class of Design. He excepted from these remarks the Water-Colour and Surveying Classes, for the first of which he believed sufficient names had been received, and with regard to the latter class, it had been attended with such useful results last year that he thought it ought to be continued, especially as the present was just the season for it. He thought that the Classes for Chemistry and Geology might be deferred till next session. He would move that as a resolution. Mr. Boyes moved, as an amendment, that if a sufficient number of names were sent in that evening for all the proposed classes, they should be carried out, as he considered that there was still sufficient time, Mr. Qurixter said he was willing to amend his resolution in conformity with Mr. Boyes’s sugges- tion, but after some further conversation, it was ultimately resolved that if a sufficient number of names were sent in for each of the proposed classes by Friday next, the 17th inst., such classes should be formed this session. Mr. Pownauu, as Vice-President of the Class of Construction and Practice, said he should like to mention that that class was, to a certain extent, in the same condition as the Elementary Class of Design. It had been said that this was owing to the nature of the questions submitted, but he did not think that this was altogether tke case. Mr. Ripperr said he was still inclined to hold the opinion he expressed at the beginning of the session that the questions were too difficult. He thought that the attention of the members should be directed to acquiring some of the intensely practical “wrinkles” of the profession, rather than to such subjects as the mechanical powers, which were better learnt from such works as those of Arnott and Lardner Mr. PowNAtu said that as the class was originally formed as being preparatory to the Voluntary Wx- amination, it was thought best to choose those sub- jects in which the candidates for passing the Volun- tary Examination would be examined. Mr. Marurws suggested that a Committee of past-officers of the Class of Construction should be formed for this purpose. Mr. Ripprerr proposed that a Committee should be formed consisting of the past Presidents of the Class of Construction, to meet and to decide as to the best manner in which the future interests of the Class could be maintained. The Committee, he pro- posed, should consist of Messrs. Ridge, Redgrave, Riddett, and Mundey. The motion having been seconded, Mr. Marnews opposed the motion, for it pro- posed to interfere with the working of one of the classes of the Association. The classes in connec- tion with the Association had always been allowed to control their own affairs. He therefore proposed as an amendment that they should pass to the next business. Mr. Quinrer seconded the amendment. Mr. Pownawt having said that he would bring the subject before the class, by consent of the proposer and seconder, the resolution was with- drawn. THE ARCHITECTURAL ALLIANCE, The Chairman said there could be no doubt that the Architectural Alliance had done a great deal of good, and he thought that it still had a work to do. To its action was mainly due the Architectural Conference held last year under the auspices of the Institute—(hear)—and he was glad to say that three of the Association’s delegates to the Alliance were present. Mr. J. Doverass Maruews said that since he had been elected by the Association to represent it at the Alliance last year, the Alliance had held its annual meeting, and although they (the Alliance) were not finally extinguished, they felt that some portion of their work was being done better, perhaps, than they could have hoped to Go it. (Hear, hear.) How- ever, it was not the intention or the desire of the delegates at last year’s meeting of the Alliance, nor did he think it would be their intention this year, to entirely quash the Alliance. It should be borne in mind that had it not been for the Architectural Alliance the Conference held last year would never have assembled; they had authority for this state- ment in an address by the President of the Institute himself. At the Conference committees were appointed which have been hard at work during the last twelvemonth, and he was quite sure that when the report of their labours was published— which it would be in a very few days—the Associa- tion and the other societies forming the Alliance would be glad to say that they had had some share in the work of a society which had done so much good to the profession as the Architectural Alliance. With regard to the future of the Alliance, although he did not want to say much about it at present, whatever might be done by other bodies, it was very likely that there might still be good and useful work for the Alliance to do; therefore, if the Association appointed delegates to the Alliance for another year he felt sure that they would be doing well. (Hear, hear.) Mr. T. RocGrr Smrrm said he thought the work of the Architectural Association had been very valu- able to the profession generally, inasmuch as it had warmly supported the Architectural Alliance ata time when there was very great difficulty in sup- porting and maintaining that organisation. Archi- tects throughout the country formerly had little idea of doing anything in concert, and though there were individual architectural societies, it was some time before the notion took root that it was possible for the architects throughout England, by the help of their individual societies, to associate themselves together for any purpose. The Alliance had the credit of having not only helped on that idea, but of having maintained it till everybody began to see that there was something very valuable and service- able in it. It would have been rather unwise for the Alliance to have discussed at its meeting last year the subjects that were then under discussion by the Architectural Conference, and so the meeting that took place of the Alliance last year was a com- paratively brief and formal affair, as its work was, in reality, transferred to the Conference. The same thing would happen again this year, as the Confe- rence would again meet this year, and very important subjects would be discussed—such as competitions, professional charges and practice, and quantity-sur- veying. Butit would be agreat mistake to suppose, because these Conferences have been carried out, that therefore the work of the Architectural Alliance was done. The Architectural Conference would not | be an annual, and probably not a biennial, affair. Aiter the one now pending he thought it was most likely that the Conference would not be held more than once in three years. Therefore, if, in the in- tervals between the holding of the Conferences such an organisation as the Alliance could meet and carry on its work, as heretofore, it would be a matter of no small importance to the profession. (Hear, hear.) Mr. T, M. Rickman said that though he deeply felt the inconvenience and disadvantage of keeping up a multiplicity of societies or organisations having the same or similar ends in view, he did not think the time had yet come for dissolving the Alliance, notwithstanding that a very important part of its labours had been taken up by the Conference. (Hear, hear.) He therefore thought it would be well for the Association to continue to send delegates to the Alliance, Mr. Riper proposed a vote of thanks to the gen- tlemen who had acted as delegates for the Association at the Alliance, and he also proposed their re-election. (The delegates were Messrs. Roger Smith, J. D. Mathews, and T. M. Rickman.) Mr. Quirter seconded the motion, which was supported by Mr. Riddett, and carried unanimously. Mr. Matnews, in reply, said he was constantly meeting with instances of the beneficial tendency of the Alliance in professional matters, and he cited a case showing that the form of contract put forward by the Alliance a few years ago was recognised by the legal profession. ARCHITECTURE AT THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, The Crarrmn said he was glad to see Mr. Roger Smith present, and as that gentleman had acted on behalf of the Association in selecting the architec- tural drawings sent into both this year’s and last year’s International Exhibitions, he should be glad to hear a few words from him on the subject. Mr. Rocrr Smrrn said that while a very large number of drawings was sent in last year, this year there had been a much smaller number sent in, and, he was sorry to say, they were lower in merit. He could not but feel considerable regret at that cireum- stance, especially as arrangements had been made to utilise another portion of the building for the exhi- bition of these drawings, the drawings this year being hung upon screens in a thoroughfare through which every visitor to the Exhibition was sure to pass. He would impress very strongly upon the profession that in the management of this exhibi- tion of architectural drawings it had been the wish of his friend General Scott to leave it, as far as possible, in the hands of the architects who served as the delegates of the different architectural societies to do exactly what they liked. The only point on which there was any disagreement was a slight one. He (Mr. Smith) had urged upon General Scott that some special effort should be made to interest archi- tects in the matter at an early stage. General Scott had said, in substance, “‘No; let us see what amount of interest there is in an architectural exhibition without further attempting to stimu- late it.” He (Mr. Smith) thought it would be very desirable in future years if the profes- sion would remember that such an exhibi- tion existed, that it would be held annually, and that it gave a very good opportunity of placing before an immense number of visitors specimens of the architecture of the year. This exhibition of archi- tectural drawings was far more under thecontrol of the profession at present—and it promised to remain so— than the exhibition at the Royal Academy—(hear, hear)—and it might be made a more representative exhibition with credit to the profession. (Hear, hear.) If the members did all they could to make the exhibition a success in this respect, they would not have to regret it, for he believed that there was every probability that in future years the drawings would be placed where they now were. The Crarrman: Where are the drawings hung this year ? Mr. Suir: On screens in one of the quadrants connecting the Albert Hall with the wings or Exhi- bition buildings. Since last year these quadrants have been glazed and plastered, and afford an admirable place for exhibiting our works. I may say that fifteen screens were allotted to us, but we were able to fill only five. The meeting then terminated. ———_>—___. The sale of the pictures of the late Mr. Gillott, of Birmingham, was concluded on Saturday. The day’s sale realised nearly 30,000 guineas, making the gross amount realised for the gallery (inclusive of the musical instruments) reach close upon 180,000 guineas,