The Government have dropped their Bill for the incloaure of
Dean Forest, which we criticised some time since. The Bill gave great dissatisfaction in the Forest, and as we pointed out, was thoroughly out of harmony with the recent course of legisla- tion respecting open spaces. In announcing the withdrawal of the Bill, Mr. Smith refused to grant a Commission to inquire into the evils alleged to exist in the Forest, and the best method of redressing them, on the ground that all the facts were already known and had been fully considered. We hope this does not mean that the inhabitants of the Forest are to take the late Bill or nothing. We should still heartily congratulate them on their choice, but the nuisances of overcrowding and imperfect sanitary arrangements—the only subjects of complaint--are so easy of remedy at the hands of the Government, that it will be scandalous if they are left untouched. But then the Office of Woods and Forests are the permanent officials in charge, and have only to make money !
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