xX REPORT. 
In the early part of the year, the following Post-card was sent 
to all Members of the Society :— 
‘¢ The Council of the D. A. & N. H.S. earnestly requests that, in the event 
of any proposed Demolition of Antiquity, or Restoration, or Alteration, (no 
matter of what sort) of any Church in the County of Derby, coming under 
your notice, you will communicate at once with the Hon. Sec.” 
At the same time a Committee of Vigilance to inquire into any 
case reported was formed. Several cases were brought before the 
Committee, but the Society will be glad to learn that its inter- 
ference was not found to be necessary in any of these; it is, 
however, important for all Members to recollect that they are 
invited to do their utmost, by attending to this circular, to check 
any possible act of Vandalism. At a meeting of the Council 
held in April, it was resolved, that the Society should undertake 
some work of excavation at Beauchief Abbey. The owner of 
the property was written to for leave, but his reply was, that 
Beauchief was so situated with regard to public paths, and the 
vicinity of Sheffield, that he felt it impossible to give his consent 
to any excavation. It was then considered whether any work of 
excavation could be done at Stydd, or at Repton; but it was 
found that there was nothing to be done at Stydd, and the occupier 
of the ground at Repton declined to allow any examination of the 
ground to be made. Since then, however, the owner of Beauchief 
has consented to meet a deputation from the Society, in order 
that it may be clearly explained what is proposed; and it is 
hoped the objections to work at Repton may be overruled, so 
that, though no work of excavation in the past year has to be 
reported, the Council trust that some such work will be taken in 
hand before the next Anniversary. 
The first Expedition of the Society for the past year was made 
on the 8th of May to Melbourne, and King’s Newton Hall. The 
party, numbering about one hundred, left Derby by the 2-5 p.m. 
_ train, and were received at Melbourne by Mr. Dashwood Fane, 
and Mr. Fox. King’s Newton Hall was visited first, and Mr. 
Fox read the following notes :— 
