^^42 PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 



This was our first meeting of the season, and was fixed for 

 the 28th May, 1902. The morning broke with bright sun- 

 shine and a blue sky, in which, however, floated a few small 

 dark clouds indicating the possibility of light passing showers, 

 though a strong westerly wind gave promise of little incon- 

 venience ; and this the day realised. The first section of the 

 party took train at Newcastle Central Station at 9.25 a.m., 

 and arrived at Castle Eden at 10.42 a.m. By the time the 

 Dene had been traversed twelve members had gathered 

 together. On our way from the station to the entrance gates 

 we observed the Ash was bare, whilst the Oak was almost in 

 full leaf. Sycamores and Horse Chestnuts were in blossom, 

 and Lilacs were approaching their greatest beauty. The 

 immense Limes and Elms attracted the attention and admira- 

 tion of the members. 



On our way to visit the well known cascade and Gunner's 

 Pool we met one of the estate gamekeepers. He had just 

 shot a Sparrow Hawk from her nest, and had called in the 

 assistance of a second keeper for the purpose of assisting in 

 the destruction of her mate. He could not say whether the 

 nest contained eggs or young, but that was matterless — a 

 young pheasant had disappeared, and the Sparrow Hawks 

 must be destroyed. Unless some effective protection be 

 afforded, this beautiful bird as a British resident will soon be 

 a mere recollection of the past. 



The comparatively harmless Kestrel once so common in 

 the Dene was never seen, and possibly may have been ex- 

 terminated. Whether the Badger, once a resident in the 

 Dene, exists there now I cannot say. On our way by the 

 stream flowing from the Gunner's Pool we observed a great 

 number of large and healthy looking trout. This indicates 

 that some change has taken place in the water, as a very few 

 years ago no fish could live in it. Possibly the closing of the 

 colliery may have had something to do with this. 



At the Pool the huge wall of magnesian limestone, rising 

 possibly 150 feet, gave consideration to the mighty questions 

 of its formation and the hollowing out of the ravine. 



