534 CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES 



for the Preservation of Rural England and other authorities and societies 

 interested in such matters. My purpose was not to question the legal rights 

 of the Commissioners of Crown Lands under the existing Act of Parliament, 

 but to contend that their policy is socially out of date, and to urge that this 

 great area of wild land within thirty miles of London is of national importance 

 and should be maintained as an open space for the preservation of its natural 

 beauty, for the protection of its ancient monuments, for the encouragement 

 of outdoor life, and for the promotion of physical fitness. When I proposed 

 this matter for discussion at the Conference of Delegates of Corresponding 

 Societies it was my intention to move a resolution to be sent to the Council 

 of the British Association, but I am happy to report that suflScient progress 

 has been made in the interval to make this unnecessary. 



The Council for the Preservation of Rural England have appointed a 

 sub-Committee to enquire into the question of the general position of the 

 Crown Land Commissioners in regard to their administration of Crown 

 Lands from the point of view of rural preservation and what action if any 

 can be taken in regard to the Crown Lands round Camberley. 



At a conference of representatives of the Berkshire and Surrey County 

 Councils and the District Councils concerned, at which I submitted my 

 proposals, it was decided that the Berkshire County Council should appoint 

 a small delegation to interview the Commissioners of Crown Lands to 

 ascertain their proposals in connection with this land and their views on the 

 proposal which I had put to the meeting. 



You will see therefore that action is being taken by important and in- 

 fluential bodies, and I am clear that it is best to leave matters in their hands 

 for the present. The subject is extremely complicated and there are soine 

 aspects of the matter which need tactful handling. I am therefore content 

 to report progress to the Delegates without moving a resolution, which it 

 would be difficult to frame in words which might not in one way or other 

 hamper the procedure of the C.P.R.E. and the Berkshire County Council. 



I feel sure, however, that this Conference will wish all success to the 

 C.P.R.E. and the Berkshire County Council in their efforts for the preserva- 

 tion of the natural scenery of the Crown Lands adjacent to Camberley, 

 Bracknell and Ascot. 



At the conclusion of the proceedings the delegates attended a garden 

 party at the Botanic Garden as the guests of Prof. F. T. Brooks, F.R.S. 



