346 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.— E. 



these. Bristol merchants largely developed the sugar plantations and frequently 

 owned them. Bristol's methods of supplying these plantations with both white and 

 black labour were discussed. Prominent Bristolians figuring in the history of the 

 West Indies are Admiral Penn who captured Jamaica, Captain Woodes-Rogers (the 

 third Englishman to sail a ship round the world) who freed the Bahamas from their 

 buccaneers and was appointed Royal Governor, and Henry Swinburne, the traveller 

 who from Marie Antoinette received a grant of all the uncultivated lands in St. 

 Vincent. Particulars of Bristol's once vast West Indian trade were detailed. 



The first recorded Bristol trade connections with Africa were in 1552 and, following 

 the abolition of the Royal Company's monopolies, an enormous commerce grew up 

 with the West Coast Colonies. Immense shipments of slaves were made by Bristol 

 ships to Virginia and the West Indies. The decline and ending of this traffic in 

 ' black ivory ' was noted, and later and more reputable trade connections detailed. 

 T. E. Bowditch, born in Bristol, was the first Englishman to penetrate to the interior 

 of Africa, and his writings in 1819 led to the British Government taking over the 

 Royal African Company's territories. 



In the early building of the Indian Empire by the East India Company, the 

 important parts played by many Bristolians upon sea and land were examined, as 

 was also Bristol's contribution of great soldiers and administrators in later years. 

 Past and present trading links were detailed. 



In conclusion, the late Earl of Meath's comment that Bristol's contribution to the 

 Empire is perhaps greater than that of any other city was quoted, and modern Bristol's 

 pride in her Empire heritage stressed. Bristol's present-day Docks and Empire-wide 

 industries were mentioned and, as evidence that something of the pioneering spirit 

 of the fifteenth century remains, Bristol's fame in air-craft construction and her early 

 establishment of one of the great municipal airports of the Kingdom quoted. 



Afternoon. 

 Excursion in and around Bristol. 



Friday, September 5. 



Presidential Address by Prof. P. M. Roxby, on The Scope and Aims of 

 Human Geography. (See p. 92.) 



Mr. Peirson Frank. — The South-West Lancashire Regional Town Planning 

 Report. 

 Reference is made to some of the contents of this report, including a review of the 

 physical and geographical characteristics of the region ; the existing conditions and 

 tendencies, future urban development ('ribbon' or grouped); zoning proposals; 

 communications by road, rail, canal and air ; proposed open spaces ; future mining ; 

 preservation of natural amenities ; architectural amenities ; public utility services ; 

 coast erosion ; land drainage. The composition and work of the Advisory Committee 

 and of the proposed Statutory Joint Committee are alluded to and a number of maps 

 and diagrams are shown. 



Prof. Patrick Abercrombie.— SaieZZtte Towns. 

 Discussion, opened by Dr. Vaughan Cornish. 



Afternoon. 



Mr. S. J. Jones. — The Historical Geography of Bristol. 



The defensive value of the tongue of sandstone overlooking the marshes of the 

 Frome-Avon confluence above the Avon Gorge was probably realised in the period 

 following the withdrawal of the Roman legions, but there is no definite evidence of 

 fortifications on the landward side prior to the Norman castle and walls. With 

 increasing security, the trade potentialities of the site in relation to the unique system 

 of watem'ays leading to the Severn estuary and thence to Ireland and the open sea 



