THE DEVIL'S JUMPS.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The Surrey hills have become to so great an extent a playground for Londoners that the fate of any notable beauty spot in the county is now a matter of concern to a very wide public. We venture to hope, therefore, that many of your readers, and particularly those who arc acquainted with the Hindhead district, will give their support to the movement to save from inelosure the largest of the celebrated "Devil's Jumps," three curious conical hills which rise abruptly from the base of Hindhead, on the Frensham side, and form a striking feature of the landscape. A considerable portion of these beautiful heath lands has already fallen into the hands of the builder, but the Devil's Jumps have not yet shared that fate, and, by the courtesy of the owner, the public have hitherto enjoyed free access to the "Stony Jump." Early last year, however, access to the hill was barred by an unclimbable barbed wire fence. The Forestry Commission had obtained a lease of about 1,100 acres of land, including the Stony Jump, and had enclosed this much frequented hill, burning the heather and planting the ground with serried ranks of seedling fir.
There was a general outcry in the neighbourhood, and a movement to save the hill for the public was initiated by the local authorities of the district, supported by the Surrey County Council, the Commons Preservation Society and the National Trust. As a result the Forestry Commission have agreed that, if the hill can be bought for the public, they will relinquish their lease of the Stony Jump, provided that they are reimbursed for their expenditure on fencing and planting ; and the landowners, the Cubitt Estates, Ltd., hatre agreed to sell the desired area, 361 acres, for £1,250
As a large part of the land is potential building land, and it has been valued at 12,350, the price represents a sub- stantial concession to the public. The compensation required by the Forestry Commission will amount to about 1200, and provision must be made for fencing two sides of the hill and for legal and other incidental expenses. It has therefore been decided to appeal for 11,700. The land, if acquired, will be vested in the National Trust. We appeal to svmuathizers outside the district to help to secure till' beautiful hilt-top for the permanent enjoyment of the public. Subscriptions may be sent to S. H. Hamer, Esq., The National Trust, 25 Victoria Street, or to the local treasurer, H. S. Evans, Esq., Lloyds Bank, Farnham.—We are, Sir, &C., WALTER NAPIER, Chairman ; DOROTHY M. HUNTER, Hon. Secretary, Stony Jump Purchase Committee.
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