268
FURTHER ADDITIONS TO EPPING FOREST.
In the present volume of the Essex Naturalist (ante pp.
78-83) we recorded the acquisition of a large portion of Yardley
Hill as a part of the public lands of the Forest. On reference to
the plan printed on page 81, or better still by an inspection of the
spot, it will be seen that the new lands so generously given by
Mr. Buxton are only indirectly connected with Bury Wood by
Davis's Lane and a somewhat narrow strip (printed black on the
plan) with the main portions of Yardley Hill, There is a piece
of land on the eastern side of this strip (through which a right-
of-way exists) which would clearly be a most desirable property
to acquire, as it would bring the north-western corner of Bury
Wood into direct communication with the new land, and in
itself, forming as it does the eastern slope of the hill, it would be
a picturesque addition to the forest. It is therefore with great
satisfaction that we record the accomplishment of this improve-
ment.
In a special report of the Epping Forest Committee dated
18th July, 1900, and since received and adopted by the Common
Council, a scheme for the acquisition of this portion of land is
thus announced :—
" We . . have the honour to report that at the time Mr. Edward
North Buxton presented the Yardley Hill Estate to the Corporation, as Con-
servators of the Forest, we were very much impressed with the fact that a
piece of land containing 13 acres, 1 rood, and 1 perch, situate between Hawk-
wood and Gillwell Lane, and adjoining the land which formed Mr. Buxton's
gift, would be a most valuable addition to the Forest, and we accordingly
entered into negotiations with Mr. Melles, the owner, with a view to its
purchase, and with the object of ascertaining the value he placed upon it.
After some correspondence he expressed his willingness to sell the same at the
price of £120 per acre,"
" Mr. Melles is the owner of about 500 acres of land in the hamlet of
Sewardstone, intersected in many places by green lanes and strips of Forest
land, which would prevent the full development of his estate, unless way-
leaves and other accommodations were granted to him ; he having at the
present time only agricultural rights of way and ways of necessity to his
property.
Although we considered the proposed addition to the Forest very
desirable, we do not feel justified, having regard to the present condition of
the City of London Grain Duty Fund, in recommending your Honourable
Court to purchase the piece of land ; we therefore asked Mr. Melles to supply
a list of the way-leaves and accommodation he desired, and which he con-
sidered would be an equivalent for the 13 acres. Subsequently, we received
from his Surveyor a plan and schedule giving that information. We spent
very considerable time in viewing the various sites, and came to the conclusion
that the concessions then suggested would be far more valuable than the 13