FIRST WINTER MEETING. XXIX. 



The PRESIDENT read a letter from the Mayor of Bourne- 

 mouth inviting the assistance of the Club on the occasion 

 fo the visit of the British Association to that town in 1917. 

 It was resolved to render all assistance that was possible. 



Mr. W. de C. PRIDEAUX had written to call attention to 

 a pre -Reformation altar-slab which was built into the south 

 wall of the church-yard at Broadmayne, and to suggest 

 that the Club should give financial help towards removing 

 the slab from its present position. Mr. C. E. PONTING, the 

 diocesan surveyor, had also written to the same effect, saying 

 that he had first noticed the stone about five years previously. 

 The HON. SECRETARY observed that it was believed there 

 were only four pre-Reformation stone altar-slabs in Dorset, 

 namely, at Arne, Bere Regis, Gorton and Stock Gaylard, 

 and all of them were now used for their original purpose. 

 It was decided that the Executive should communicate 

 with the Rector of Broadmayne and that a grant in aid 

 should be made. 



The PRESIDENT then referred to the delay in the production 

 of the volume of Proceedings which was due in July, 1915. 

 He had been informed by the printers that the absence of 

 many men on military service had necessarily hindered the 

 work. A discussion followed, in which suggestions as to 

 the future were made, but the general feeling was that under 

 the existing circumstances the delay was unavoidable. 



The HON. SECRETARY mentioned that Canon C. H. Mayo 

 had consented to act as general receiver of the reports on 

 restored churches in Dorset. 



Mr. W. PARKINSON CURTIS had written to the President 

 saying that the statutory rules and order of 1915 (No. 909) 

 had created a protected area of considerable extent in the 

 Trough of Poole and had made additions to the list of birds 

 protected in the surrounding district. Mr. Curtis and other 

 ornithologists thought that it was desirable to appoint a 

 watcher for the newly protected area, as shooting had 

 practically ceased : but the meeting was unable to suggest a 

 suitable person. 



