THE MANAGEMENT OF EPPING FOREST.
69
of the tree was quite rotten, and the huge bole hollow. The large branch which
formed the arch broke away some sixty years ago, and it was then that Mr. Boyd
(who rented the shooting), had the stay placed to support it, which it has done
until this year. No one could regret more than he did the loss of one of the
features of Old Wanstead Park ; but it was "the hand of God."
Sir Fowell Buxton declared that in the whole Forest district it would be diffi-
cult to find one more able to deal with the management of the woods than Mr. E.
N. Buxton. It was the wish of the Verderers and the Epping Forest Committee
to carefully consider any reasonable suggestions from those having any knowledge
on the subject. He wished those interested would inspect parts of the Forest
which had years ago been subjected to treatment similar to those in parts
recently so severely criticised. He would mention Woodreddon Hill, and especi-
ally on the north side of the road going down to Waltham. He was not pre-
pared to say that the Committee had not made mistakes, but they were all at one
with their critics in the desire that Epping Forest should be made as natural and
beautiful as possible.
Mr. F. W. Elliott was of opinion that the meeting was not competent to pass
this whitewashing motion, as the party had been through Monk Wood very
hurriedly, and through only a small portion of Lord's Bushes.
Mr. Lindley : May I justify, in three lines only, a statement I have made ?
The President said that he must rule Mr. Lindley out of order, he having
already spoken once.
Mr. W. Cole said he was afraid that his old friend, Mr. Smith, must have
forgotten what the state of the Forest was when the Conservators took over the
management. He had known the Forest intimately for over thirty years, and he
was deliberately of opinion that since it had been in the hands of the Committee,
it had, on the whole, been immensely improved, and each year showed a further
improvement. As to Mr. Lindley's speech, he wished that Mr. Lindley would
take the Club to the spots he spoke of at York Hill and at Woodford, in Gilbert's
Slade, and let the members form their opinion ; he (Mr. Cole) knew very well
what it would be. Mistakes had possibly been made as to certain trees, but they
must regard the question as a whole. Experience had thoroughly satisfied him
that thinning was a necessity, and he thought they should thank Mr. Buxton
and the other Verderers for the great care, attention, and foresight exercised in
this matter.
Mr. Porter asked if the meeting had been called by the Council.
The Secretary said that it was an Ordinary Meeting of the Club, called by
himself as executive officer, in the usual way in which all meetings of the Club
were summoned.
Mr. Porter: Then it is irregularly called, and I protest.
The Secretary said that Mr. Porter was in error—the calling of the meeting
was entirely in accordance with precedent.
Professor Boulger : If you will read my resolution it says "In the opinion of
this meeting."
Mr. Porter : Then it is not a meeting of this Club.
The President (Mr. F. Chancellor) said that if he wanted the best opinion on
forestry in relation to Epping Forest he would go to Mr. E. N. Buxton, as he
believed he was as good an authority upon the subject as any man in England.
It was impossible for any man to cut down a tree without someone abusing him
for doing so. In dealing with woods like Epping Forest, it was necessary to
consider the subject as a whole, and to do to-day what would be beneficial in the