Ixviii Journal of Proceedings. 



believing that it is wholly unnecessary for the railway to take the 

 route projected, and that it would not fail to prejudicially affect the 

 advantages secured by the Epping Forest Act, which directs that the 

 Forest is to be preserved as far as possible in its natural aspect." 

 The Club than resolved itself into the 



Annual General Meeting. 



The Treasurer's Statement of Account (see page Ixix) was read, 

 and after some little discussion, was agreed to unanimously, on the 

 motion of Mr. Letchford, seconded by Mr. J. Hutchison. 



The Secretary read the Report of the Council for the Year 

 1880:— 



In presenting the first Annual Report, the Council feels that it can 

 honestly and sincerely congratulate the members on the success which 

 has attended the foundation and first year's work of the Club. It is 

 unnecessary to recapitulate the steps taken in the formation of the 

 Society ; a short sketch of its origin has been prefixed to the Report of 

 the Inaugural Meeting in the " Proceedings," and its subsequent 

 progress is fresh in the minds of members. Within two months of the 

 establishment of the Club, when the list of original members was 

 closed, the number was 169 ; since that date 58 members have been 

 elected. The Council regrets to record the loss of one member, Mr. G. 

 Thompson, by death, already alluded to by the Chair ; two members 

 have resigned, so that our strength on December 31st was 224. It 

 will be admitted that this forms a very gratifying token of the position 

 the Society has already taken in public estimation, but your Council is 

 sanguine enough to hope that it is but the precursor of further advance 

 The real backbone of a Society such as yours is the possession of a 

 large body of enthusiastic members, and it cannot be too strongly 

 urged upon all well-wishers that it should be their duty and pleasure 

 to obtain additional recruits, and so add to the stability of the Club, 

 and its power of accomplishing useful and permanent work. 



In reviewing the events of the session, a first place must be given to 

 the honour conferred upon the Society by the Duke of Connaught. The 

 fact that his Royal Highness has both an official and personal interest 

 in the County as Ranger of Epping Forest lends a peculiar appro- 

 priateness to his kind and ready acceptance of the office of Patron of 

 the Club. 



