98
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
REPORT OF THE CLUB'S DELEGATE TO THE
CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES OF CORRES-
PONDING SOCIETIES, BRITISH ASSOCIATION
MEETING AT BRISTOL, 1930.
By D. J. SCOURFIELD, I.S.O., F.L.S., F.Z.S., ETC.
During the meeting of the British Association at Bristol the delegates
from the various Corresponding Societies, of which nearly 70 were said
to be represented, met on two occasions and turned their attention
chiefly to the consideration of three subjects, namely, National Parks,
Folk Museums, and Co-operation between Scientific Societies.
The subject of National Parks was introduced by the President of
the Conference, Prof. Patrick Abercrombie, in his Presidential Address.
He pointed out that the phrase "National Park" was not a very good
one, as there were at least three distinct objects in the minds of different
people when they used the term. Some thought only of the preservation
of the natural scenery, others of the preservation of the wild fauna and
flora, i.e. of the establishment of a Nature Reserve, and others again of
a place for recreation such as picnicking, camping, mountaineering, etc.
In a country like England, where there were no very large wild areas
now available for reservation, such as existed in the United States, Canada,
and many other countries, these three objects were in some degree in-
compatible, as it would be rarely possible to satisfy all three objects in
any one locality. Very careful consideration would therefore be required
so that the three objects could somehow be provided for. They were
therefore anxiously awaiting the Report of the Committee on National
Parks, which it was to be hoped would soon be published with full details.
After some discussion, during which Prof. Vaughan Cornish advocated
the establishment of a National Park for Central Britain to include the
Roman Wall area and Mr. Lecky put forward the claims of Cannock
Chase, while the importance of local Societies taking an active interest
in any proposals regarding the establishment of National Parks in their
districts was duly emphasised, the Conference passed the following
resolutions:—
(1) That the Council of the British Association be asked to represent
to H.M. Government the need for the establishment of Nature
Reserves in any project for the creation of National Parks:
(2) That the Council be asked to appoint a Committee to take
cognizance of proposals relating to National Parks by the Govern-
ment and other Authorities and Bodies concerned, and to advise
the Council as to action if desirable.
With reference to the second resolution it was recommended that the
Committee, if appointed, should consist of Prof. P. Abercrombie, Mr. T.
Sheppard, Prof. W. M. Tattersall and Dr. C. Tierney representing the
Corresponding Societies, together with a representative from each of
the Sections C. Geology, D. Zoology, E. Geography, H. Anthropology,
and K. Botany.
I understand that the Council of the British Association has agreed
to the proposal and that the Committee as suggested has been duly
appointed.