150
THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.
made of a museum worthy of the manifold interests of the Forest,
and on the true lines that make a museum of real value. It is
difficult for us to realise how great the need is for a real knowledge
of even the elementary points of interest in the Forest among the
immense majority of the visitors to it. Still we only regard the
work so far as a beginning ; there is a great need of work and money
to carry out the scheme we have set before us, and of such arrange-
ments as shall ensure the permanence of the Museum.
It is much to be desired that we could report a like measure
of progress in the Central Museum at Chelmsford. Our Secretary
has spared no pains to carry out the aim of the Club—that the
Museum shall be arranged in a manner worthy of the County
Town—and the delay in the completion has certainly been no fault
of his. So important a scheme must call for considerable expendi-
ture, and the very moderate finances of the Club do not allow of
their providing sufficient funds without extra assistance. Our appeals
have certainly so far not met with the response in the county that
we had anticipated, and we now seem to have got into the vicious
circle, that till the Museum is completed we cannot get local interest
and support, while without local interest and support we cannot
complete the Museum. The position is a somewhat anxious one
for those who have the interests of the Club at heart, and merits
their most careful consideration.
I must not forget to refer to the great loss which the Club has
sustained in the death of our Hon. Counsel, Mr. Charles Browne,
who so often generously gave us the benefit of his skilful assistance.
We also lose the valuable assistance of our Treasurer, Mr.
Lockyer, who has so long devoted his time and skill to our service,
and while recording our hearty thanks we rejoice that he is not going
so far from his old home that we may not hope to see him often
with us. It is with great satisfaction that we entrust our finances, at,
any rate for a time, to Mr. Waller, our valued Librarian, who has
so kindly taken upon himself a double office.
The Water Supply of the Lea Valley viewed in the Light
of Recent Researches.
And now I will turn to a subject less immediately connected
with the work of the Club, but one of great importance, and which
it is most essential should receive an impartial and scientific considera-