The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (December 1902)

33 THE: OPTICAL MAGIC with 4-wick Refulgent Lamp as may be preferred. The 4-in. Compound Condenser is of very superior quality, free from flaws, as is also the front lens, and the resulting image on the screen will amply satisfy the most critical. The exterior is combination of rosewood, mahogany and brass. The w orkmanship cannot possibly be surpassed in finish and general excellence, and retails according to quality, from £7 7s. to £10 10s. Fuller details are given in the Makers’ Catalogues. RRR AH Our Book Shelf. We have received for review a well-known Annual, which will make a good Christinas Present, to «a Photographer. We refer to the Highth Volume of “ Photograins of the Year” 1902, which we have placed beside it’s predescceane and they make a fine show, of which Wwe are proud. looking through the pictures we notice the MHditors have shall Wwe say--— stolen the oue ewe lamb of TL. Traut, and given it to Otto Schmidt. The 28 pages of “ Hints to Would-be Picturemakers " from the pen of the Editor (1. Snowden Ward) have been based upon the querics and difficulties of numbers of amateurs who send theb: prints for criticism, and although little that is new can be said on composition, light and shade, tone-rencering, ete., we believe that the old matter is freshly handled and illustrated, and in a way specially applicable to the photographer. As before, experts in the various countries have helped to make the publication truly international, by selecting pictures from their leading w en and by contributing notes on the loc: d tendencies. Thus, i in addition to the chicf eriticism by Mr. A.C. R. Carter, there is a French section by Robert Demachy ; American, by eos Stieglitz; New Zealand, by ‘Josiah Martin ; German, by Ernst Juhl; Australian, by A. J. HallGriffiths. : The book consists, as last year, of 192 pages, and the price, in cloth binding is 3/net: or in paper covers 2/net. BOK en«x Correspondence. The following letter will be ee to our numerous readers. Fp, “OWNERS? RISK,” To the Korvvor of the DAILY Posy, Sir »—During the last few days several statements have appeared in your columns to the effect that the Railw ay LANTERN JOURNAL Companies were w Echt wis from their attitude with regard to zoods forwardeid at -*Owners’ Risk.’ Lenclose herewith, a letter receive from the Great Western Railway Company, and may further say that the officials are most cmphatic in stating that they are not withdrawing trom their position, and are refusing all claims where voorls heve been forwarded at owners’ risk, [think the statement must have arisen through the treatment which perhaps one or two very large firms may be able to force from the railway companies, and I trust I shall not be unnecessarily occupying your columns if i relate our experience as a warning to traders generally to be careful how they accept vail avy officials’ statements with regard to this. Our traffic is carrie) under a special consignment note, Which was drawn up in 1804 by the Clearing House, after the representatives of the various firms had disenssed it with them, but yon willobserve that Clause 2 cxempts the companies from liability as common curiers. ‘The companies refuse absolutely te carry our trafic under any other conditions except this, so that it ix not a case of obtaining reduced rates. They stated, however, at the time, that their ob ject was to saddle us with the whole of the responsibility in the event of any accident arising due to carlessness in the test or filling of the ey linders, and it wis not to relieve the companics of any liability of accident arising through their carelessness, Until the beginning of this year all the companies have regularly met any claim for damage or loss, and the actual amount of such claims have heen really very trivial compared with the value of the trathe to the rulway companies. Early this year, however, without any warning, the companies refused to meet any claims whatever, and since they took up that attitude, there has been an undoubted increase in the diinage done to the goods in transit: by their servants. The companies’ officials admit. this increase, but put it down to coincidence. Tt is this that makes the action of the railway companies more sarions than might at first sight appear. [t is not, of course, haman nature for their men to take the same care with trafic for which they are inot responsible, as for traffic for which they are responsible. The following are the cases which we have had already this year :— Great Western Railway. Felruary 24th, 1902.-Valve smashed right off cylinder at Hockley Goods Station. Value of was and valve 19s. 6d. Claim absolutely refused as taken at ed risk. Jane 20th, 1992..—Valve damaged, causing loss of gas. Value of claim for valve and yas, £1 4s. 3d. also absolutely refused on account of owners’ risk. London and North Western Railway ae June 23rd, 1902—Cylinder lost in transit. Value of claim £3 9s. Refused at first on the grounds that the Carman had signed for it but had not received it ; then refused on the ground that it was forwarded at owners’ risk, but ultimately paid in full on September 29th. June 26th, 1902.—Valve knocked completely off cylinder, at Aston Goods Station, Amount of claim, 10s. Gd. Refused on account of owners’ risk and not settled yet. July 3rd, 19v2.—Case destroyed in transit. Claim ds. Refused on account of owners’ risk and not settled yet July Vth, 1902.—Cylinder lost in transit. Claim of £3 10s. Settled without demur on October 9th. Midland Railway Company. Sept. ath, 1902.—Vive cylinders handed them for delivery to Derby, but returned as empties without