MORE EPI'I.\(; I'OREST. I39 



ford Hatch to Walthanistow, and striving to keep within the bounds 

 of the forest, had to traverse a narrow strip of land, known as the 

 "Driftway" or "Sale." This way skirted Higham Park, and was 

 partly margined by the the Ching Brook. Mr. Buxton's proposal 

 was to extend this avenue to an average width of 150 yards, by 

 acquiring the timbered wilderness of the western side of the park, and 

 also the fine lake, so as to secure some water views, a kind of scenery 

 sadly lacking in the forest. The whole quantity of land proposed to 

 be acquired was estimated at 27I acres. An independent valuation of 

 ^6,000 had been made, for which sum Mr. Courtney Warner was 

 willing to part with so much of his park. If ^3,000 could be raised 

 locally, Mr. Buxton was hopeful that an equal sum would be 

 contributed by the Corporation of London from the Capital Fund 

 under the Epping Forest Act, 1878. Towards the local contribu- 

 tion Mr. Buxton, Sir T. Fowell Buxton and a relative, generously 

 offered ;^i,8oo. A resolution in flivour of the scheme, proposed by 

 Mr. W. Cole, and seconded by Mr. Batey, was unanimously carried. 

 A Local Committee, with Mr. Buxton as chairman, and Mr. W. 

 Cole as hon. secretary, was also formed, to make the proposal 

 widely known, and to solicit subscriptions towards the funds required. 

 At public meetings called by the Local Boards of Walthanistow and 

 Woodford grants from the rates of ^500 and ^250 respectively 

 were voted, and in response to the request of a deputation which 

 waited upon the Common Council on the 25th of September, the 

 Corporation resolved to grant the ^3,000 required. The Drapers' 

 Company contributed ^210, Mr. Warner ^100, the Commoners' 

 Compensation Fund ^100, and the balance was made up by smaller 

 contributions. 



The quantity of land proposed to be acquired under the original 

 scheme was, as above stated, 27I acres. During the course of the 

 negotiations carried on by the City Solicitor, this was increased by 

 three acres, and the exact measurement of the land and water added 

 to the forest is 30 a. 2 r. 39 p. The shady avenues, and the lake 

 with its tributary stream, the Ching, are exceedingly picturesque, and 

 the whole forms a most valuable addition to the open lands of the 

 forest. The evidences of human handiwork proper to a park 

 combine charmingly with the natural luxuriance of a piece of 

 primitive woodland, the tract having been at one time forest land, or 

 was at least land subject to the forestal rights of the king. This is 

 evident from the following facts : — 



