The Science Society

M. A. Butterworth rounded off an instructive and enjoyable evening with a talk on Saint-Sans' Pianoforte Concerto No. 2 in G minor. Saint-Sans was born in Paris on 9th October, 1835, and he died at a very ripe age in 1921. His early works, which were mainly vocal or operatic, were not very successful. He wrote five pianoforte concertos, but only two of them (numbers 2 and 4) are played today. Of the two, number 4 has more technical detail, but number 2 is undoubtedly more popular. It was first performed in 1868 by him in Paris. The first movement opens with a solemn declaration on the piano—a sort of cadenza—at the end of which is an introduction by the orchestra followed by the first theme on the piano. Butterworth illustrated this opening passage with a recording. The introduction is appallingly hard as far as the ensemble is concerned, and in the example, the ensemble is not good. The second movement, marked "Allegro Scherzanda", opens wi.h a short introduct:on on the timpani (very muffled on the recording). The well-known sprightly air, atter being bandied about by the piano and the orchestra, is followed by the piano thumping out a "lolloping" figure, accompanying the orchestra which plays a robust melody. After this, the orchestra sinks to a whisper while the piano plays a fairy-like tune over it. This state of bliss is broken by increasing chords and the second theme, accompanied by the rhythm of the first theme, leads into a recap:tulation and conclusion of the second movement. Our speaker was disgusted with the last movement ("Presto"). It starts in a mighty fashion and points to a mighty movement, but the orchestration is weak, and most of the work is left to the pianist. We did not dwell on that movement.

Mr. Waine, closing the meeting, thanked the speakers for an excellent evening's musical instruction. W. B. HAWKINS.

Five meetings were held this term, the first of which consisted of five films of a general nature. They were (i) "The Wonder Jet", an account, to date, of jet propulsion. The story started as far back as 1926, when Sir Frank Whittle was a young cadet at Cranwell. The film showed how at first he was met by failure after failure, and in the closing stages it showed some of the first meteors in action against the flying bombs of the Second World War. (ii) "Faster than Sound" dealt with the problem which was presented to scientists as planes reached higher and higher speeds— that of the sonic barrier. The film showed us a research station, and how this problem was attacked by means of pilotless rockets. (iii) "Wonders of the Deep" was concerned with the new technique of underwater exploration being developed as a result of daring 33

exploits of the frog divers during the war. In the last part of the film we were shown a film taken underwater, by a frogman. of a submarine firing its torpedoes; the closest of the shots being taken at 15 feet. (iv) "Birds of the Village". This film was divided into two sections, the first of which dealt with English resident birds, and the second. Summer visitors. The latter part of the film showed how experiments were being carried out to see if the rook was a useful or harmful bird to farmers. (v) "New Hobby" was a film about the making and racing of model cars. The film took us to the private workshops of some of the experts in this field, and in the latter stages of the film were shown some of the cars in action on a roof-top in London.

At the second meeting of the term Mr. F. Waine gave a lecture, entitled "The Measurement of Time". He began by explaining that the sun was not a good time-keeper, and he traced the history of clocks from the earliest one handed down to the most accurate modern clocks, such as the cathode ray tube signals, and quartz crystal. The transparencies shown during the lecture were kindly prepared by Mr. Robinson. Mr. Jeffs was in the Chair.

At the third meeting of the term Mr. Harris showed some films on "Oil", the first of which was entitled "Detergents". It showed that a detergent was really a wetting agent, that is, it enables writer

to penetrate thoroughly and wet any material with which it comes

in contact. The second film of the evening, "Gasoline", was divided into four parts. (i) The first part dealt with octane number, and showed how gasolines were blended to suit various compression ratios. (ii) The second section showed how, with the growth of the

combustion engine, and the need for a large volume of good quality gasoline, there remained residual products, which the manufacturers were unable to deal with. The final part of the film showed how the

residual products were "cracked" to form a gasoline of fairly high octane number.

(iii) The third film dealt with high octane compounds for aviation gasoline, and showed how the need for high-grade gasoline was met

by modern processes.

(iv) The last section of this film was concerned with aviation gasoline blending, and told us that the high octane compounds previously mentioned were too expensive for every-day use. The last part of the film showed how, by blending a little high grade gasoline

with some base stock, and treating with tetra ethyl lead, a gasoline of high octane number was produced. 34

The last film, "Solvent Extraction", showed how , the aromatic hydrocarbons, which cause paraffin to give a smoky flame when burning, are removed.

It was decided by the Committee that, as in previous years, each House should provide an evening's programme. Rise was the first House to do this, and they provided three lectures. (i) Messrs. Bolton and Ibberson gave a lecture on "Catalysts". They demonstrated some typical Catalysts, and explained their uses. They also explained the difference between positive and negative catalysts. (ii) The second lecture was given by Reid-Smith and Claydon on the phenomena of "stroboscopy". They ably demonstrated this effect by means of a disc rotating at ultra high speeds. (iii) The last lecture, given by Butterworth, was on Interplanetary Travel. He explained many of the difficulties which have to be overcome before it is possible to leave the earth's surface, and ended by describing some of the probable different types of space ships. Mr. Crews was in the chair.

Temple provided the speakers for the last meeting of term. The first speaker was Staines, who gave a lecture on Badgers. He explained the layout of a "set", which may be shared by foxes and rabbits. He ended by showing us some photographs of badgers by means of the epidiascope. The next lecture was given by Netherwood on "Oil". He described how it was formed, and ended by showing a film entitled "Drilling for Oil". Bird, who was to have given a lecture on "Nickel", was unfortunately indisposed, but a film he had obtained, "Man made Canyon", was shown. This was about an open pit-style mine which was a mile long, quarter of a mile wide and 400 feet deep. Mr. Ping was in the chair.

THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

Chairman: E. K. ROBINSON, ESQ. Secretary: P. G. BROOKE. Treasurer: W. G. A. MAXWELL. Librarian: M. L. RICE.

Elected Committee: D. A. STABLER, J. M. SAVILLE, B. N. JACKSON.

The Society started another School year with 26 members drawn from all parts of the School.

Three lectures were given by members during the course of the term, the first being given by P. G. Brooke on the 9th October on "How to Develop a Film". On the 16th of the same month D. A. Stabler lectured on "How to Enlarge". The last of the lectures was given on 6th of November by E. K. Robinson, Esq., on "Filters", this lecture was illustrated with material from Kodaks and Ilford.

The dark room was frequently used by all members, this being encouraged by the presence of a new vertical enlarger.

But perhaps the highlight of the term's activities was the attendance of members at the York Camera Club meetings, permission for which was obtained from the Head Master. P.G.B.

'1111. BRITISH SHIP ADOPTION SOCIETY

At the beginning of term the "Moun'park" was loading sugar on the Queensland coast for Eastern Canada, the actual ports of loading being Cairns (26th Aug.-13th Sept.) and Mackay (15th---17th Sept.). Mr. Ellis sent photographs of both these towns, which, together with a photograph of the ship at Wellington, formed the basis of a small exhibition in Big Hall.

The passage from Mackay to Montreal, via Panama, with a call for oil fuel at Aruba, took 55 days (17th Sept.--111th Nov.), and was uneventful. Mr. Ellis was struck by the speed and efficiency of the discharging arrangements at Montreal, where 1,200 tons of sugar were unloaded daily, about four times the speed of port-working in the Antipodes.

The "Mountpark" was one of about 20 ships waiting to load grain for Western Europe, and there was a great rush to get them away before the St. Lawrence froze up for the Winter, the average date for this being about mid-December. "Mountpark" left 'Montreal on 28th November, completed loading at Quebec (28th Nov.-5th Dec.), and as term ends we await news of her destination in Europe. In any case it looks like "Christmas at home" for the ship's company, after a voyage which started on 13th November, 1951, and has taken the ship around the world.

In reply to a question, Mr. Ellis has sent us the following interesting account of some features of this passage :- "The sea temperature between Cairns and Panama ranges between 70°F. and 80°F. For most of the passage there was a current of about one knot against us. The sea is clear, and there is very little bird life unless there are islands in the near vicinity.

After leaving Colon we get a current with us to Aruba at this season of the year, and from Aruba to about three days off the

St. Lawrence we are in the Gulf Stream carrying a current from one to two knots and a sea temperature of 85°F. to 75°F. After we left the Stream the sea temperature dropped to 44°F. There is not not much to see from Father Point, where we pick up our pilot, to Quebec. From there up to Montreal you see more industry and all the way up the ship is stemming a strong current, especially passing Three Rivers." 36