functions of the Commons and Footpaths Preservation Society which 

 annvially deals with many hundreds of open or overt attempts to close 

 Footpaths and Bridleways. The attacks which most frequently 

 require to be met are definite acts of obstruction, the exhibition of 

 notices denying public rights of passage, the placing of barbed wire 

 in close proximity to paths, the removal or decay of stiles and foot- 

 bridges, the depasturing of bulls or other savage animals in fields 

 through which public ways may run, and the ploughing up of 

 meadow tracks. All such attacks were illegal and could now be 

 dealt with by the District Councils whose duty it is to maintain 

 every public right of way within their area. They had power to 

 remove obstructions, to repair paths, stiles and gates and, if necess- 

 ary, to institute legal proceedings for the protection of public 

 interests. Parish Councils had power to put the machinery in 

 motion and to repair public footpaths. It had to be remembered, 

 however, that some Councils were not free agents as obstructions 

 frequently occurred on the Estates of large landowners who, in 

 some cases, were members of the local authorities. 



Representatives of the Commons and Footpaths Preservation 

 Society were engaged in surveying and recording all public paths 

 in the Home Counties. The Society was often chosen as arbitrator 

 to settle disputes with regard to disputed paths and within the 

 past year it had laid out over 60 miles of public ways. It was 

 further endeavouring to bring about an amendment of the law by 

 means of the Public Rights of Way Bill. This Bill proposes that 

 where land is in the possession of an actual freeholder, public user 

 for 20 years shall be sufficient to raise the presumption of dedication 

 of the path or other way as a highway. If, however, the estate is 

 entailed or subject to strict family settlements, so that the owner 

 for the time being is only tenant for life and not the actual and 

 unrestricted owner of the whole freehold interest, the period of years 

 of public user proposed was 40 instead of 20 years. This amend- 

 ment of the law would get over technical difficulties that had led to 

 the loss of innumerable paths. 



The maintenance of field paths and woodland tracks was a 

 matter of prime importance to every member of a Natural History 

 Society and of Field and Rambling Clubs as such ways were es?ential 

 to the full enjoyment of the countryside. The Footpaths Society 

 claimed their sympathy and support in the efl'orts being made to 

 safeguard the interests of nature lovers and it would always be 

 happy to give technical advice, information, or assistance to the 

 members of the South London Entomological Society. 



