Ring and Inkster

Ring and Inkster

 Greymouth

from about May 1924 to 14 October 1929

Partnership Notice

Mr James Ring, Photographer, who has been in business in Greymouth for the past 44 years, has taken Mr L. Inkster into partnership. Mr Ring will have charge of the studio, while Mr Inkster will control the sale of Kodak cameras, developing and printing of films the same as carried on in his present business. The new firm will trade under the name of “Ring and Inkster’’ who will execute every description of photographing work.— Advt. 

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 May 1924, Page 5

New Photography

At the invitation of Messrs Ring and Inkster, a “Star” reporter paid a visit of inspection to the firm’s premises in Mawhera Quay. Having a “peep behind the scenes,’’ he got an insight into the plant and paraphernalia necessary to provide up-to-date service in photography. Passing through, the spacious front shop, with its windows showing specimens of the firm’s handiwork, and all manner of photographers’ needs, he was taken first to the studio, where Mr Jas. Ring has conducted operations for forty years and is “still going strong.” 

The reporter was shown a well-appointed studio 40 feet long by 18 feet wide, elaborately furnished with up-to-date chairs, seats, mats and screens, which lend themselves to artistic setting for portraiture, which will please the most fastidious. A splendid Eastman portrait camera, fitted with a. special Taylor Hobson portrait lens, and adjustable to any position, has been, installed. About the studio there appeared an ample supply of toys, which facilitate the photographer's work with children Mr Ring socialises in children’s portraiture.

 

The developing, printing, and enlarging room provided new matters of interest. The electrical planting device, the most up-to-date method in present use, is worthy of note, doing away, as it does, with the old frame printing. By means of the device in use, photographs are printed on sensitised paper in three seconds, and developed and “fixed” in a few minutes. 

Downstairs, the reporter found Mr Inkster busy with the amateur’s section. Here some unique features were in evidence. Speed is evidently the essence of the contract, for the plant installed is capable of developing 500 films and of putting through 1500 prints daily. In the developing room "three of the latest pattern tanks, each having a capacity of ten gallons, are kept full of developer, water and “fixer,” respectively. In the process of development the films are never touched with the hands, every operation being done mechanically. In the washing room there is a Turbine washer, operated by a water jet, by which all the print washing is done. “What we aim at,” said Mr Inkster, “is to have work turned out expeditiously, and at the lowest possible price consistent with good work. We want the thorough confidence of our amateur patrons, and this can only be done by producing efficient service, and you can see we spare no expense to achieve that desirable end.” 

Looking round the store rooms, a large supply of chemicals, frames, glass, mounts, paper and the various etceteras forming equipment were in ample evidence. The shop was replete with every possible requirement of the amateur photographer -films, portable cameras, pocket cameras, printing papers, albums, etc., were in profusion. A special room is set apart for the preservation of old negatives, and with the splendid system of recording kept, any required negative can be located at once. The staff of four girls were all busy at their special work. The electric lighting of the whole premises is provided by a Lalley plant, and this completes the equipment of an up-to-date photographic business, of which the proprietors, Messrs Ring and Inkster may justly be proud.- A.D. 

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 October 1924, Page 3

Dissolution of Partnership. 

Notice is hereby given that the Partnership heretofore existing between James Ring and Lawrence Andrew Inkster, as Photographers and Photographic Dealers, etc., under the style of “Ring and Inkster,” has been dissolved, by mutual consent, as from the 7th day of January, 1928. 

The business is now being, and will in future be, carried on by Lawrence Andrew Inkster on his own account, under the title of L. A. Inkster. 

Dated this 14th Day of October, 1929. 

James Ring. 

L. A. Inkster. 

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 October 1929, Page 1

[purchased April 2023]