This being the first bulletin in our second year I cannot do better than preface my remarks by expressing my gratitude to all those who have given up their time to prepare and send in contributions which constitute by far the most important part of our bulletin. I still aspire to the ideal, of being in a position to cover every colony at some time or other and hope that those members whose particular, colony has yet .to be included will submit a short article for the benefit of others similarly interested. There is no need to emphasise that the post of Hon. Secretary in any active Society or Study Circle necessitates a great deal of work and the giving up of much leisure time. So far as I am concerned I enjoy every minute and have been amply rewarded by the. widening of my own knowledge and the making of many new friends. Elsewhere you will have noted that our membership is given as 111. I am, however, a little unhappy as there are a number who have yet to renew their subscriptions. To all those concerned a reminder will accompany this bulletin and I am hopeful that it will prove that, in most cases, the non-payment has just been an oversight. Whilst on this subject I would mention that three members have indicated their desire to effect payment through their bankers and arrangements have been made accordingly. Needless to say I shall be happy to send a Bankers Order form to any other members who would like to adopt this method for 1956. On the opposite page you will see the Statement of Accounts for 1954. Whilst there is a credit balance it should be note that part of the income for .the current year was spent but this is offset to some extent by non-recurring expenses. With regard to the suggestion made at the A.G.M. for holding a meeting in the autumn the Committee are .of the opinion that a Saturday afternoon might be m-ore convenient for most members and September 10th has been chosen provisionally. It will be most helpful if those members who hope to attend will let me know as soon as possible as it is essential to reserve accommodation at an early date.
We commence our second year with a total membership of 111 assuming that a number of outstanding subscriptions are renewed in due course. It will be observed from the table of distribution that there are increases in all sections and we are particularly pleased, with the continued growth in the number of members from overseas.
LONDON (20)
PROVINCIAL (72 )
| Cheshire 1 | Kent 3 | Shropshire 2 |
| Cornwall 2 | Lancashire 3 | Staffordshire 1 |
| Derbyshire 4 | Lincolnshire 1 | Suffolk 3 |
| Devon 4 | Middlesex 4 | Surrey 9 |
| Essex 3 | Norfolk 2 | Sussex 3 |
| Hampshire 4 | Northants 2 | Warwickshire 2 |
| Herts 3 | Northumberland 3 | Wiltshire 3 |
| Yorkshire 4 | ||
| N. Ireland 1 | Scotland 4 | Wales 1 |
OVERSEAS (19)
| B.W.I. 4 | Canada 2 | U.S.A. 13 |
It is-with great regret vie now learn that our member in EIRE - Mr. F. E. Beckett - died on September 13th 1954 and our sincere sympathy is extended to his relatives in their sad bereavement.
We have' further news from our member - Mr. G.A. Butler the effect that he anticipates undergoing his operation early this month and we hope that by the time the summer arrives he will have completely recovered. Two other, members we are sorry to say have been indisposed - Capt. F.S.J. Norris has, had to spend a short time in hospital but has now returned-home and we trust his health will continue to improve. Mr. J.J. Turner, our newly appointed Committee member, has had an operation and we are glad to learn he is making good progress and we look forward to having his helpful advice in the not too distant future.
The outstanding reference to the CIRCLE since our last Bulletin is a two page contribution in the December 1954 issue of the "British West Indian Philatelist" and we are, indeed, grateful to Mr. E.F. Aguilar- for his generosity.
| Expenditure | £ | s | d |
| Printing | 6 | 4 | 7 |
| Stationery | 4 | 6 | 0 |
| Duplicating BULLETIN | 22 | 6 | 0 |
| Postage | 12 | 14 | 3 |
| Telephone | 16 | 1 | |
| Bank Charges & Cheque Stamps | 2 | 17 | 6 |
| Philatelic Congress of Great Britain | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Sundries (Transit of Exhibits to L&P Stamp Club) | 9 | 6 | |
| Refund Dinner Ticket | 12 | 6 | |
| CASH AT. BANK | 5 | 12 | 8 |
| --- | --- | --- | |
| TOTAL | 57 | 0 | 1 |
| INCOME | |||
| Subscriptions 1954 | 38 | 13 | 1 |
| Subscriptions paid in advance: 1955 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| Subscriptions paid in advance: 1956 | 10 | 6 | |
| Donations | 12 | 6 | |
| Commission on sales | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Sale of back numbers of BULLETIN | 7 | 0 | |
| --- | --- | --- | |
| TOTAL | 57 | 0 | 1 |
P. T Saunders, Hon: Treasurer
G.W. Collett, President
I have examined the above Statement. of Account s and Certify it to be correct and in accordance with the Books and Vouchers' Produced to me.
A. J. Branston Hon, Auditor .
NOTE: Members who are able to supply any, of these should send them (stating price asked) to the Hon. Secretary for onward transmission. If the member who requires them decides to purchase a remittance should be sent to the Hon. Secretary in favour of "B.W.I.STUDY CIRCLE" and the amount (less postage and 10% commission) will be remitted to the owner.
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ALL B.W.I. GROUP: Postal stationery of ALL reigns.
BAHAMAS: Used abroad items dated 1858 & 1859 also postal history items.
BARBADOS: S.G.152 on cover.
BERMUDA: S. G. 24 & 24a with numeral postmarks other than "1". Entires carried by early R. M. S. P Co. ships.
CAYMAN ISLANDS: S.G.61.mint. S.G.124a deep green (U)
JAMAICA: S. G. 31 used in CAYMAN ISLANDS
Railway postmarks of ANCHOVY, IPSWICH and RENDAL on cover, piece or stamp.
Covers or pieces with paquebot cancellations and bearing one or other of the 'Lady' boat cachets.
MONTSERRAT: S. G. 43 mint.
ST. CHRISTOPHER: First issues on cover.
TRINIDAD: Pre-adhesives before 1810. Entires up to 1903 with town and numeral cancellations.