70 
NATURE NOTES. 
to the sale of sand, gravel and turf, has from time to time taken 
place. For some years also a corps of rifle volunteers has used 
the common for target practice, a huge and hideous brick screen 
covering the park bej'ond from stray bullets. The greater part 
of this lofty buttressed wall was blown down early in the year. 
It is not to be rebuilt, owing to the short term of the unexpired 
lease. Recurring but ineffectual protests have been made against 
these defacements, which, however, much as they spoil its beauty, 
have not materially interfered with the use of the common. The 
syndicate in question has just taken steps which are complained 
of as a destruction of the natural features of the common, and the 
possession of its surface by a limited and presumably rich class, 
to the danger and exclusion of people generally. A large part 
of the furze-covered surface has been burnt off, perhaps acci- 
dentally, but quite intentionally wide avenues have been stripped 
of all undergrowths, to make “drives” for the golfers. The 
charm of Sheen Common has been its tangled and matted furze 
bracken, blackthorn, honeysuckle, and other lowly bush growth. 
j\Iuch of this has been ruthlessly swept away, and as the club 
increases, it is feared the rest is doomed. This mutilation of the 
common is quite enough to call forth a strong protest from the 
public, which has claims to the free and unimpeded use of its 
surface. But in addition to this, streams of golfers drive balls 
with almost the force of bullets across the paths which cross the 
common, and thus practically close a part to the large number 
of persons using it. It is a question whether this is not an in- 
fringement of the rights of the public. 
Fortunately, though Sheen Common is outside the limits of 
Richmond, its public-spirited corporation have by a unanimous 
resolution resolved to take what steps are possible to preserve 
its amenities. A deputation of the local Branch of the Selborne 
Society has waited upon the managers of the common, who 
have promised that the destruction of the undergrowth should 
be stopped ; they have also stated that play would not be per- 
mitted during the summer, and that the players would be re- 
quired to play with a strict regard to the safety of the public 
using the common. They also expressed their willingness to 
treat with the Barnes Local Board for the transfer of the com- 
mon to that body. It is well known that only a few hundred 
pounds (/^5 jo) remain unpaid of the purchase-money, so that 
the question of expense is only of relatively small account. 
After a short but sharp struggle, through the activity of the 
Richmond Branch and the local press, notably the Richmond and 
Twickenham Times, and with the aid of the metropolitan press 
and the courtesy of the managers, it is hoped that matters are 
in train for a settlement satisfactory to both sides and the 
public. 
Kew. 
John Allen. 
