MR. AYRTON AND EPPING FOREST.
To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR." I
Sta,—My attention having been called to a statement at page 950 of your issue of the 18th inst., "that only fourteen years ago a Bill was introduced by a Liberal First Commissioner of Works whereby it was actually proposed to make over to the gentlemen in question 5,000 acres, leaving for the enjoyment of the public only 600," allow me to state that the Bill to which reference is made was introduced by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, without the concurrence or even knowledge, and against the known opinions, of the First Commissioner of Works, who afterwards introduced the Bill to assert the Crown rights in Epping Forest then existing, or encroached upon for the preceding twenty years, in order that the lands might be preserved as an open place for the recreation of the public, and that under the provisions of that Bill, which was passed, and other subsequent Acts to give effect to it, the lands are now preserved for recreation.—I am, Sir, &c., ACTON S. AYRTON.
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