The Committee is able to report a steady growth of interest in ancient 

 fortifications, as shown by measures taken for the preservation, explora- 

 tion and recording of these remains. It has to be noticed, however, 

 that many large areas (such as Buckinghamshire, Norfolk and Surrey, 

 to name only three counties), are still comparatively neglected ; and it 

 will not be out of place to insist once more on the value of local effort 

 in the systematic recording of these relics, as the first step towards their 

 preservation and investigation. 



A Royal Commission on Welsh Monuments was appointed in 

 August, 1908, and has been for several months engaged on its inventory. 



In October, 1908, the Government appointed a Royal Commission 

 to make an inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments of 

 England, and to specify those which seem most worthy of preservation. 

 A Sub-Commission to deal with earthworks and pre-Roman remains has 

 been constituted as follows : Lord Balcarres (Chairman), Sir H. H. 

 Howorth, Professor Haverfield, Mr. J. G. N. Clift, with Mr. William 

 Page and Mr. A. G. Chater as Assistant Commissioners. Mr. D. H. 

 Montgomerie is assisting the Commission as investigator of earthworks. 



The county of Hertford is now being surveyed, and other counties 

 will follow in turn. 



It will be seen that the Sub-Commission is closely associated with 

 the Earthworks Committee of the Congress, and in view of this fact 

 is suggested that the county archaeological societies might render 

 valuable assistance to the Royal Commission by collecting information 

 and preparing schedules (especially in those counties that have not yet 

 Deen dealt with in the Victoria County History), which would supple- 

 ment and correct the Ordnance Survey and serve as a basis for the 

 schedules of the Royal Commission. 



It is gratifying to announce that the Hampshire Field Club has 

 already reported that a schedule of the earthworks of the county is 

 being prepared by one of its members, Dr. J. P. Williams-Freeman, and 

 that a preliminary list of the earthworks of Cheshire has been furnished 

 by Mr. William Harrison (see Bibliography). The Committee is also 



