The Select Committee on the New Forest. 



The report and minutes arising out of this searching investigation 

 were printed in 1875, and contain much that is of great interest to the 

 forester. The report to the House is as follows : — The Select Committee 

 appointed to inquire into and report upon the present condition of 

 affairs in the New Forest, into the operation of the " Deer Removal 

 Act," 1851, and particularly into the exercise and effect of the powers 

 of enclosure given by that Act — have considered the matters to them 

 referred, and have come to the following resolutions, which they have 

 agreed to report to the House. 



That the New Forest shall remain open and unenclosed, except to 

 the extent to which it is expedient to maintain the existing right of 

 the Crown to plant trees. 



That the ancient ornamental woods and trees shall be carefully 

 preserved, and the character of the scenery shall be maintained. 



That powers of enclosure conferred by statute shall be exercised only 

 on that area which has hitherto been taken in at various times, and 

 been either kept or thrown out under the Acts 9 and 10 Will. III., c. 36, 

 48 Geo. III., c. 72, and the Deer liemoval Act, 1851. 



That the Crown should retain the power of keeping 16,000 acres of 

 growing timber and trees, planted under the Acts of William III. and 

 1851, at all times under enclosure, and that the Crown be entitled ta 

 enclose and throw out at will any portion of the area over which the 

 powers of planting are to be exercised with a view to its unrestricted 

 use, in such manner as may be deemed expedient for the most profit- 

 able growth of timber and trees, but that the rolling power over the 

 open portion of the forest, not now planted or enclosed under the Acts- 

 WiUiam III. and 1851, should cease. 



That a nominal quit rent be charged by the Crown to the 

 commoners for the exercise of the right of common during fence 

 month and winter heyning ; provision may be made, if possible, for 

 the payment of such quit rent by some body representative of tlie 

 commoners. 



That the Verderers' Court be reconstituted, so as better to represent 

 the commoners, and have power to regulate the exercise of the- 



