COfiKESPONDlNU SOCIETIES. S73 



societies, eacli to take charge of the survey in its own area. Each society- 

 should record on the large scale Ordnance map every tumulus or earth- 

 work within the county, and at the same time keep a register of the sites 

 with numbers referring to the map, and in this register should be noted 

 the names of the owner and tenant of the property, as well as any details 

 which would be of use in exploring the tumuli. I am well aware that a 

 survey of this kind has been begun by the Society of Antiquaries of 

 London, and is still in progress ; but this is of a far more comprehensive 

 character, and is, moieover, primarily intended for publication. The 

 more limited survey I now advocate would in no way interfere with it, 

 but, on the contrary, would provide material for the other larger scheme. 

 Once the local society is in possession of the necessary information just 

 referred to, it would be the duty of its executive to exercise a beneficent 

 control over any operations affecting the tumuli, and it may safely be 

 said that such control could in no way be brought to bear so easily and 

 effectively as through a local society. 



Ii-eland is fortunate in having an admirable work devoted to its 

 dolmens by the late Mr. Borlase, Such a recoi'd would form an excellent 

 foundation for the survey as far as this special class of monument is 

 concerned, and the survey of tumuli could be done concurrently. But 

 both in Ireland and over the rest of the country a great deal has to be 

 done and can only be accomplished by many and willing hands. If the 

 plea that I now venture to make has the result of starting some such 

 record I shall be content. 



The Rev. J. O. Bevan was glad that the subject of the preservation 

 and cataloguing of prehistoric and early historic i-emains had been dealt 

 with by Mr. Read. Notwithstanding the limited number of scientific 

 societies exclusively Irish, it was a matter for congratulation that the 

 interesting and peculiar features of early Irish architecture and art had 

 been so carefully conserved, owing to the exertion of public authorities. A 

 great deal, however, remained to be done throughout the three kingdoms. 

 It was monstrous, e.fj., that on such an important area as Dartmoor the 

 highway authorities were permitted to appropriate valuable remains and 

 break them up for the metalling of roads ! Such an Act of Parliament 

 ouglit to be at once rescinded. Public opinion should be roused in refe- 

 rence to the entire subject and Local Societies, such as those they repre- 

 sented, could do a great deal.^ 



At the conclusion of the Conference a hearty vote of thanks was 

 accorded to the Chairman, on the motion of Mr. Mark Stirrup, seconded 

 by Mr. F. W. Hembry. 



' The following resolutions were subsequently referred to the Council of the 

 Association : — 



"That the Council be requested to impress upon his Majesty's Government the 

 desirability of appointing an Inspector of Ancient Monuments under the Ancient 

 Monuments Act in the place of the late Lieut. -General Pitt-Rivers. 



' That the Council be requested to call the attention of his Majesty's Government 

 to the destruction of Ancient Monuments, especially on Dartmoor, which is autho- 

 rised under the terms of the Highwa}' Act, 5 &: 6 Wm. IV,, c. 50, the provisions of 

 which are unrepealed by later Acts ; and to urge the repeal of this section of 

 the Act.' 



