§ COLONEL SIBTHORPthen said, that he wished to ask the President of the 1937 Board of Trade, whether certain individuals had not been admitted into the Crystal Palace on the Sabbath-day? And whether some of them had not availed themselves of that opportunity to copy certain articles therein deposited?
§ MR. LABOUCHEREsaid, that since the hon. and gallant Officer gave notice of this question, he had made some inquiries with a view to ascertain what it was that could have given rise to the statement which he had just made. He found that the general rule had been to prevent all working or admission into the Crystal Palace, except for necessary purposes, on the Sabbath. The Executive Committee had, however, thought it extremely useful and desirable to preserve a record of the articles exhibited, so far as they were allowed by the exhibitors; and for that purpose certain gentlemen had been admitted into the building, with a view to try some experiments, with respect to the best mode of taking photographs of some of the principal objects, especially works of art—for it appeared that it was necessary that these experiments should be tried when the building was almost empty, and also that the light was unfavourable for that purpose, except during the hours when the public was admitted, from ten o'clock in the morning to seven o'clock in the evening. Under these circumstances the Executive Committee felt themselves justified in allowing a gentleman, who was very skilful in this branch of art, to have admission on two occasions, for the purpose of trying the requisite experiments.
§ COLONEL SIBTHORPasked whether it was true, that a work of art which had been purchased by Mr. Tudor, had been so much damaged from being photographed on Sunday, that he was compelled to decline it?
§ MR. LABOUCHEREsaid, he regretted to say, that in trying these experiments, one work of art was partially damaged, in altering its position, with a view to the better application of the photographic process. That was the only instance in which any work exhibited had received any damage, and communications were now going on with the owner with a view of giving him ample compensation.