56 H AMP STEAD HEATH. 



hold his hand for a time. Lord Mansfield, after much 

 discussion, consented to entertain a definite proposal 

 for the purchase of a considerable part of his land, con- 

 sisting of 200 acres, though he specially excluded Ken 

 Wood and the land nearest to his residence. The 

 Committee then entered into correspondence with the 

 Metropolitan Board of Works. On July 17th, 1885, 

 the writer introduced a deputation to the Board, and 

 urged on their behalf that the Board should take up 

 the negotiations with the two landowners, and effect 

 the purchase of 260 acres. 



The Board rejected the proposal of the Committee, 

 alleging that the amount of money involved in the 

 purchase was too large to justify it in imposing the 

 burden on the ratepayers. It refused also to avail 

 itself of the option to discuss the matter with the 

 Committee, with a view to reducing the cost of the 

 scheme by obtaining contributions from other sources. 

 The Committee were not discouraged by this rebuff. 

 Public opinion was strongly in their favour, and they 

 determined to press their scheme. They carried a 

 measure through Parliament, empowering, but not 

 compelling, the Metropolitan Board to effect the 

 purchase, and enabling other local authorities to 

 contribute. 



After long and difficult negotiations with the two 

 landowners, the Metropolitan Board, and the Vestries 

 of St. Pancras and Hampstead, they effected an arrange- 

 ment for the purchase of the 260 acres for the sum of 

 300,000, and for the contribution towards this of 



