PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. 
359 
Mr. J. \V. Gregory has discussed the origin of the Broads. While 
agreeing with certain general explanations of the physical changes, 
that had previously been given,* he points out that the Broads of 
Wroxham, lloveton, Salhouse, and Woodbastwick are most likely 
hut remnants of one very large broad; and he proceeds to show 
how this big broad might be cut up by the river. At first the 
river would drop its sediment on its entrance into the expanse of 
water, on account of the diminution of its velocity and carrying 
power. In process of time this sediment would be extended 
further and further across the broad, and when the water was low 
tin; river would cut its own channel through the accumulations it 
brought. Vegetation would grow upon the banks of the river and 
aid in the ultimate isolation of different portions of the great broad. 
This idea is, I believe, a new one. At the same time it is quite 
possible that those broads which lie away from the direct course of 
the river may be simply the deeper hollows that were excavated by 
estuarine action before the mouths of the rivers were barred. 
The other point of interest, in reference to the broads, is the 
decision made public on -Inly 7th, by Mr. Justice Romer in the 
case of Micklethwaite />. Vincent — a decision which embodies 
much valuable and interesting information, and one which, I trust, 
will be regarded with satisfaction by naturalists. + 
The plaintiffs’ claim was for an injunction to restrain the 
defendant from shooting or fishing on that part of the broad which 
is in the parish of Hickling, and from boating over it except 
in a certain channel. It was decided that the plaintiffs had 
established their claim to that part of the broad in question, and 
that the defendant, as one of the public, had no right to shoot and 
fish in it. It was, however, admitted that there is a public right 
of way over the broad, and that that right of way could not be 
restricted to any particular channel. 
There is no doubt that the breads furnish one of the pleasantest 
areas for recreation in this country, and it would be a national 
* Trans. Norfolk and Norwich Nat. Soe. vol. iii. p. 439. 
t ’ Eastern Daily Press,’ July 8th. 
