144
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
his kind reception of the party on this occasion at the East London Waterworks
at Lea Bridge. Dr. Cooke and Mr. A. B. Rendle gave most valuable aid at the
Fungus Foray on October 19th ; and at the opening of the Forest Museum, we
have to particularly thank Mr. R. C. Halse, Mr. E. N. Buxton, Mr. F. McKenzie,
and Mr. A. Smith Woodward for their assistance in making the ceremony a
success. At this meeting our President kindly undertook the charges for the
numerous invited guests, and so enabled the Secretary to arrange the details of
the meeting at a minimum expense to the Club. It should also not be forgotten
that Mr. Butler kindly gave the use of his room for the reception of the Epping
Forest Committee, and provided materials and assistance for suitably fitting up
the same. We have also to thank, in connection with the above meetings,
Professor Meldola, Professor Boulger, and Mr. Walter Crouch for valuable aid
afforded in the conduct or arrangement of the same.
Memoirs and Publications.—The papers read have been far less numerous
than in some previous years, and the Council would urge members to keep up the
scientific credit of the Club by contributing papers and notes. The Essex
Naturalist has been greatly delayed owing to several causes, and little can be
said concerning it until some satisfactory mode of publication and systematic aid
to the Secretary as Editor can be established. The matter is now commanding
the attention of the Council, and will be reported on later. The Council have to
thank Mr. E. T. Newton, F.R.S., and Mr. T. V. Holmes for much scientific
assistance in determining specimens and surveying sections, and Prof. Meldola for
defraying the cost of engraving five illustrations in his paper on the "Eastern
Boundary Stones of the Forest of Waltham." Our thanks are also again due to
Mr. H. A. Cole for the very numerous drawings he has contributed, free of cost,
in illustration of the circulars and publications of the Club. The issue of the first
two "Guides" to the Epping Forest Museum is alluded to in a separate report.
Protection of Wild Birds in the County.—The Club's action in this
matter, and the formation of Mr. Buxton's Epping Forest Bird Protection League,
is recorded in The Essex Naturalist. The Council has been considering the
desirability of appointing a Committee to take action in connection with the order
of the Secretary of State for the protection of coast birds, but there were several
difficulties in the Club undertaking such a work, and the necessity has been
obviated by the establishment of a small society for that end, of which our esteemed
members, Mr. E. N. Buxton and Mr. Champion Russell, are respectively President
and Secretary.
Death of Mr. Charles Browne.—The Council much regret to record
the death of Mr. Charles Browne, M.A., F.S.A., Barrister-at-law, and Hon. Counsel
to the Club, which took place on the 1st of November last. Mr. Browne took
great interest in the Club, and was one of the first Hon. Members, having been
elected on January 10th, 1880, in acknowledgment of his services in settling the
Draft Rules of the Club submitted to him by Mr. Cole, Mr. Browne's services
have been most valuable as legal adviser to the Council ; he settled the last edition
of the Rules, and was always willing to aid in any way in his power.
The Council is glad to say that Mr. W. C. Dare, BA., Barrister-at-law, who
has succeeded to Mr. Browne's chambers, has kindly consented to act as Hon.
Counsel to the Club.