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Aviation History
1917
1917 - 1012.PDF
SEPTEMBER 27, 1917. THE SOCIETY OF BRITISH AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTORS. OFFICIAL NOTICES^ ., .„_.;. .T~> THE Second Annual General Meeting of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors was held on August 29th at Caxton Hall; S.W., When the Society's Annual Report and Accounts were submitted. The. Chairman, . Mr. H. White Smith, stated that before asking those present formally to adopt the report and accounts, he Would like to take the opportunity of making a few remarks upon the general position of the Society. He would point out that, owing to the way in which the industry had grown, a representative trade organisation became much needed, and, as stated in the Annual Report, the co-ordination of the industry effected through the Society had, in the opinion of the Management Committee, unques- tionably been of distinct national benefit. Many problems arose from time to time in which an organised body Was absolutely necessary, and no doubt there would be a large number of difficult problems to be tackled when peace came. When it Would be even more important to have a strong representative society. As regards the work done, the Chairman said that he had been running through the minutes of the different meetings, and While it would take too long to detail all that had been undertaken, he would like to refer to a few matters. Before doing this, however, he wished to say that the Management Committee had adopted the policy of communicating imme- diately with members on all points that arose from time to time. It was felt that that was the better course. It meant worrying members sometimes, but he thought it was better to err on the side of consulting members on matters affecting them. One of the interesting events of the year was the arrange- ment entered into with the Aeronautical Society of Great Britain, referred to in the report. There was a Standing Joint Committee of the two Societies before whom matters of interest to the two bodies came. One very important matter which the Joint Committee had been considering Was the question of the formation of a Research Association for the aeronautical industry, Which subject Was to be laid before the Council of the Society. The Chairman, after refering to the steps which had been taken during the year in various matters of interest to the industry, stated that the Management Committee had various important matters in hand at the present moment, and he *felt sure that the Society Would be of increasing usefulness to its members as time went on. A resolution adopting the report and accounts for 1916 was then passed, as also was a resolution to the effect that the present Council should remain in office until the- next general meeting. The auditors, Messrs. G. A. Toiiche and Co., were re-elected. Immediately following the General Meeting, a meeting of the Council of the Society was held, at which Mr. Hamilton Barasley (Lanchester Motor Company, Ltd.), Mr. E. Allen (C G. Spencer and Sons, Ltd.), and Capt. R. L. Charteris (A. B. C. Motors, Ltd.) were added to the Council, and Mr. Stuart A. Hirst (Blackburn Aeroplane and Motor Com- pany) was elected to the Council in place of Mr. Robert Blackburn. Mr. H. White Smith was unanimously re-elected Chairman of the Society. Mr. R. O. Cary, Mr. L. Coatalen, Mr. J. D. Fatal Accidents. LIEUT. LICHFIELD, R.F.C., was killed at Dartford on September 24th, through his aeroplane nose-dving and clashing to earth. The observer, Lieut. H. Nunn, R.F.C., who jumped from the aeroplane, was seriously injured. " Death from Misadventure " was the verdict returned on September 24th at inquests on 2nd Lieut. Ernest Hargrave, R.F.C., and 2nd Lieut. Victor Bracey, R.F.C., Who lost their lives in flying accidents during the week-end. Runaway Kite Balloons. DURING last Week the residents of South London had the experience of seeing several kite balloons run amok. On September 20th one Which had broken away was seen to catch fire, and the pilot, releasing his parachute made a safe landing near Chelsea Bridge. The remains of the balloon fell at Dulwich. On the following morning five kite balloons which had been Siddeley and Mr. Howard T. Wright, the four members of the Committee of Management who had retired ana offered themselves for re-election, weje • unanimously re-elected ; and Sir Herbert Austin and Mr. F. Handley Page Were elected •to fill two places on the Committee left vacant by the resigna- tion of"Mr. H. V. Roe and Mr. B. Caillard. Discussion then followed upon the proposed formation of a Research Association for the aeronautical industry. It was pointed out that the Government had set up a new depart- ment—the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research— and had placed a fund of a million sterling at the disposal of that department to enable it to encourage industries to undertake research. Briefly, the scheme proposed by the Government is that special Research Associations shall be formed by manufac- turers, and that a programme of research shall be drawn up, the department making a contribution towards the income raised by the Association for carrying out such programme. The department would have to approve the research programme, but it is laid down that the Research Associations are to be formed to carry out a programme of research and not for any particular item of research. The Government contribution would not be more than pound for pound, and the contribution Would be promised for a period of years to be agreed upon and not exceeding five. Contributions by firms to a. Research Association formed under, conditions approved by the department would be allowed as a deduction for income tax and excess profits duty purposes. -• A draft Memorandum of Association for such Research Associations has been prepared by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Put shortly, this Memorandum provides that the objects for which the Research Association is established are :— "**- • . ,, • (a) To promote research and establish laboratories. ' . (b) To accept grants of Government money, &c. • - ' (c) To employ technical advisers. ~ ^ (d) To establish museums, libraries, &c. (e) To investigate inventions, &c, for the purposes of the industry. , . , .- (/) To co-operate With other associations. ' *•" • The position of the aeronautical industry in relation to this scheme for the development of scientific and industrial research has been under careful consideration by the Standing Joint Committee of the S.B.A.C. and the Aeronautical Society, and conferences have been held with Sir Frank Heath, the Secretary to the Government department in question. ' One of the conditions laid down by the Department of Scientific and industrial Research is that the initial com- position of the Board of Management of the Research Association must be approved by the department. Sub- sequently, the nominations for Chairman of the—Board and for one half of any vacancies that may occur on the Board have to be approved by the department. The Board of the Association has to appoint a Director of Research or other responsible technical adviser, who could be entrusted with the general direction and supervision of the research work undertaken by the Association., ,After discussion of various points involved, it was decided that a Research Association for the Aeronautical Industry should be formed. tethered together for experimental purposes broke away, in a gale,-from Roehampton. Two air-mechanics were caught by the ropes and dragged into the air. One, named James, let go and fell after the balloons had travelled a short distance, while the other," named Peggs, fell at South Norwood. He "fell out as the balloons were passing South Norwood at a height of 2,000 ft. and was killed. The derelict balloons Were even- tually shot down by anti-aircraft guns. A Chance for an^Engineer Organiser. IN our advertisement columns there appears this week an enquiry for a works manager who is a works manager. The factory is in the London district, and the opening is an exceptional one for a really good organiser, With engineering experience behind him. Over 2,000 hands are employed. Any of our readers interested should send a line in confidence ' to Messrs. George Reader and Co., Solicitors, 35; Coleman Street, E.C., who are in the first instance acting for the owners. 1012
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