lxxvi Journal of Proceedings.
Saturday, November 26th, 1881.—Ordinary Meeting.
The 22nd Ordinary Meeting was held at the Head Quarters at 7 o'clock,
the President in the Chair.
The specimen of the Honey Buzzard referred to by Mr. White, at the
last Meeting, was exhibited, preserved in admirable style by Mr. English.
The thanks of the Club were voted to Mr. Benton and Mr. White for
this very welcome donation to the Museum.
Mr. Robarts and Mr. Letchford were chosen Auditors of the Treasurer's
accounts.
The following were elected members of the Club:—Messrs. E. J.
Bentley, James Douglas, C. T. Pearce, M.D., J. C. Shenstone, F.R.M.S.,
and 0. Greville Williams, F.R.S., F.C.S.
The Secretary said that the Council had considered the question of the
proposed Tramways in the Forest, but had deferred passing any special
resolution pending the receipt of further information as to the exact
route the tramways proposed to take. He pointed out that the plans
must be deposited by the 30th November, and they would then be in
possession of positive information as to the parts of the Forest intended
to be cut up in the interests of a few private speculators. He thought
they might assume, remembering the very active opposition to the
Railway Scheme of last year, that the Society would be opposed to any
tampering with the Forest,, especially in the northern section. The
southern part was unhappily being rapidly delivered over to the
publicans, showmen, and roughs, but they both as individuals and as
a Society ought to do all they could to preserve the northern parts
from desecration. Beyond a mere claim of justice and fairness, he
thought that they had a very clear legal ground on which to stand.
The Epping Forest Act was perfectly explicit. It was there laid down
that Epping Forest was to be so preserved that it should retain for
ever its character as a forest. The ground had been secured to the
public at an immense cost, and he thought that they would be only
acting in accordance with their own feelings, and he might say also in
agreement with the feelings and requirements of the bulk of intelligent
Londoners, and within the clear meaning of the law, in demanding that
the Forest should be kept as a piece of untouched woodland, without
encroachments or innovations by tramways, railways, hotels or other
forms of speculation. [Applause.]
The President said that being so interested in the Forest, they had of
course a clear right to express an opinion on a matter so nearly affecting
the welfare of the district. When they had more definite information to
go upon he hoped the weather would be a little more favourable, and that
members would muster strongly, so that the whole subject might be
thoroughly discussed.