Litter and the Parish An ardent preserver of rural England
went to the police the other day and entreated them to stop the weekly decanting of litter on a beautiful common. It is situate about twenty-five miles North of London, a convenient distance for the Londoner's half-day picnic. The police replied that they could do nothing unless there was an official or semi-official prosecutor. To keep such a common free from litter is obviously the proper duty of the Lord of the Manor ; but he is often an absentee. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners who are Lords of the Manor of hosts of country commons are centred in London, and their local bailiff, if they have one, is seldom a very active officer. Perhaps he is not wished to be. Supposing that the Lord of the Manor cannot be " gingered," as Mr. Churchill used to say, into action, the Parish Councils might very well take a hand. These bodies are beginning to grow more active, and would add a good deal to their use and their reputation if they secured such convictions as have recently done honour to local bodies in Sussex and Yorkshire. The common in question is a repulsive sight each Monday morning and never wholly recovers during the rest of the week.
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