FURTHER ADDITIONS TO EPPING FOREST. 269
acres of land. We then obtained the expert assistance of Mr. A. R. Stenning,
Surveyor, who confirmed our opinion not only as to the value of the con-
cession, but as to the undesirability on interfering with the natural beauties
and forestal condition of some of these Forest wastes.
"A meeting has since taken place between the Surveyors on both sides,
and they have agreed upon a modified proposal which, we think, in the
interests of the public will be desirable."
The report then sets out the amended proposals, which in
brief consists in giving Mr. Melles various small roadways across
strips of the waste of the Forest, and powers to widen certain
forest roads so as to conform to the bye-laws of the Local
Authority. The alterations are about 12 or 14 in number and
so far as one may judge from the coloured plan attached to the
Report, none of them will seriously affect the Forest. The Com-
mittee conclude by saying :—
" We are of opinion that the way-leaves and accesses proposed to be given
up would be of very little detriment to the Forest, although of value to Mr.
Melles, and on the other hand the acquisition of the 13 acres would be a very
desirable object in the public interest, and that the proposed arrangement is
an advantageous one, and we therefore beg to recommend the adoption of
these proposals by your Honourable Court, and that this Report may be
referred back to us to carry into effect."
In the Report of the Committee for the year 1899, a further
acquisition in connection with Yardley Hill was recommended in
the following words :—
" We have to report that when Mr. Buxton purchased the Yardley Hill
Estate, it included a small farmhouse and about a quarter of an acre of land
not forming part of the gift. It is known as Hawksmouth Farm, and is
approached from the lane leading from Sewardstone Road past Yardley
House, Davis's Lane. Mr. Buxton is willing to sell this house and the land
attached thereto to the Conservators for the sum of £350, the amount paid by
him for the same.
" It can easily be adapted for a Keeper's Lodge, or, if thought advisable,
no doubt it could be let to some person desirous of catering for school
children and others visiting the Forest. We are of opinion that it would be a
desirable acquisition, and beg to recommend that we should be authorised to
purchase the same, and that your Honourable Court will be pleased to place
the amount of the purchase-money to the credit of the capital account of the
Epping Forest Fund."
The same report announces the completion of the enlarge-
ment, deepening, and ornamentation of a swampy portion of the
Forest situate between Whipps Cross Road, Leytonstone, and
the Eagle Road, Snaresbrook, and known as the Hollow Pond.
The total cost was £1,228 4s. 2d., towards which the Corpora-
tion voted £620, the Leyton District Council £300, certain
residents in the neighbourhood £131 6s., and the balance was