SECOND WINTER MEETING. XXXIX. 



Dr. Philip Norman, F.S.A., speaking on the subject of ' The preservation 

 of Ancient Cottages,' attributed the greatly increased interest in archaeo- 

 logical matters to the recent presence of so many Colonials in England. 

 The question was whether the old cottages should be repaired or 

 demolished. In towns, a difficulty arose from the great value of their sites 

 as well as from the need of widening the streets; but in the country it was 

 different. The great difficulty to be met with arose from the action of 

 local authorities, and there was a danger of altering or destroying 

 unnecessarily their ancient and distinguishing features. Though some 

 must go, others might be spared and restored at a great saving of cost. 

 Helpful advice could always be obtained from the " Society for the 

 Protection of Ancient Buildings." Mr. Udal (Dorset) joined in the plea for 

 the protection and restoration of ancient cottages, and spoke of the charming 

 effect of the old thatched cottages in the village of Chideock, near Bridport. 

 Their continued existence was probably due to the fact that they were, for 

 the most part, the property of a single local landlord, who carried out 

 piecemeal repairs as they were needed, and so avoided the arbitrary 

 restrictions of the local by-laws. He quite recognised the danger that 

 might arise to neighbouring buildings through fire; but sometimes great 

 difficulty had been found in obtaining permission to place thatched roofs 

 upon cottages standing in a more or less isolated position. 



SUMMER MEETINGS. The PRESIDENT brought forward the 

 question of summer meetings, and asked for consideration as 

 to how many meetings should be held and whether it would 

 be advisable that a two-days' meeting should be included. 

 The HON. SECRETARY said that he was afraid that, with regard 

 to a two-days' meeting, considerable difficulty would be 

 experienced in arranging for hotel accommodation. It was 

 unanimously decided not to hold a two-days' meeting, and that 

 the arrangements with regard to dates and places, &c., of three 

 or four single days' meetings should be left to the Hon. 

 Secretary. 



UNIVERSITIES' LIBRARIES. CAPTAIN ACLAND stated that the 

 two great Universities of Oxford and Cambridge had in their 

 Libraries complete sets of the Proceedings of the Dorset Field 

 Club, excepting that Vol. II was missing from the Cambridge 

 set. It was an honour and pleasure to know that the 

 Universities wished to have these volumes. The PRESIDENT 

 expressed the hope that some member of the club would feel 

 generously disposed, and would supply the Cambridge 

 University with the missing volume. 



