FURTHER ADDTTIONS TO HPPING FOREST. 26g 



acres of Ii'kI. We then obtained the expert assistance of Mr. A. R. Stenning, 

 Surveyor, who confirmed our opinion, not only as to the value of the con- 

 cession, but as to the undesirability on interfering with the natural beauties 

 and forestal condition of some of these Forest wastes. 



" A meeting has since taken place between the Surveyors on both sides, 

 and thev have agreed upon a modified proposal which, we think, in the 

 interests of the public will be desirable." 



The report then sets out the amended proposals, which in 

 brief consists in giving Mr. Melles various small roadways -icross 

 strips of the waste of the Forest, and powers to widen certain 

 forest roads so as to conform to the bye-laws of the Local 

 Authority. The alterations are about 12 or 14 in number and 

 so far as one may judge from the coloured plan attached to the 

 Report, none of them will seriously affect the Forest. The Com- 

 mittee conclude by saying : — 



" We are of opinion that the way-leaves and accesses proposed to be given 

 up would be of very little detriment to the Forest, although of value to Mr. 

 Melles, and on the other hand the acquisition of the 13 acres would be a very 

 desirable object in the public interest, and that the proposed arrangement is 

 an advantageous one, and we therefore beg to recommend the adoption of 

 these proposals by your Honourable Court, and that this Report may be 

 referred back to us to carry into effect." 



In the Report of the Committee for the year i8gg, a further 

 acquisition in connection with Yardley Hill was recommended in 

 the following words ; — 



" We have to report that when Mr. Buxton purchased the Yardley Hill 

 Estate, it included a small farmhouse and about a qliarter of an acre of land 

 not forming part of the gift. It is known as Hawksmouth Farm, and is 

 approached from the lane leading from Sewardstone Road past Yardley 

 House, Davis's Lane. Mr. Buxton is willing to sell this house and the land 

 attached thereto to the Conservators for the sum of £350, the amount paid by 

 him for the same. 



" It can easily be adapted for a Keeper's Lodge, or, if thought advisable, 

 no doubt it could be let to some person desirous of catering for school 

 children and others visiting the Forest. We are of opinion that it would be a 

 desirable acquisition, and beg to recommend that we should be authorised to 

 purchase the same, and that your Honourable Court will be pleased to place 

 the amount of the purchase-money to the credit of the capital account of the 

 Epping Forest Fund." 



The same report announces the completion of the enlarge- 

 ment, deepening, and ornamentation of a swampy portion of the 

 Forest situate between Whipps Cross Road, Leytonstone, and 

 the Eagle Road, Snaresbrook, and known as the Hollow Pond. 

 The total cost was ;^i,228 4s. 2d., towards which the Corpora- 

 tion voted £"620, the Leyton District Council ^300, certain 

 residents in the neighbourhood £1^'^ 6s., and the balance was 



