Jxxvi Journal of Proceedings. 



Satukliay, November 26th, 1881. — Ordinary Meeting. 



The 22ncl Ordinary Meeting was held at the Head Quarters at 7 o'clock, 

 the President in the Chair. 



The sjiecimen of the Honey Buzzard referred to by Mr. Wliite, 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. Eobarts and Mr. Letchford were chosen Auditors of the Treasurer's 

 accounts. 



The following were elected mem-bers of the Club : — Messrs. E. .J. 

 Bentley, James Douglas, C. T. Pearce, M.D., J. C. Shenstone, F.R.M.S.. 

 and C. Greville WilHams, F.R.S., E.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 

 Eailway 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 

 pubHcans, sho"v\'men, 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 fau-ness, 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 foi' 

 ever its character as a um'sf. 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 feehngs, and he might say also in 

 agreement with the feehngs 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. 



