MILFORD COMMON ENCLOSURE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SLR,—The public owe you a debt for your sympathetic and helpful note to Mr. Thackeray Turner's letter in the Spectator of October 20th announcing the proposed enclosure of three acres of Milford Common forn burial ground. A memorial in opposition to the enclosure is to be sent to the Board of Agriculture, and I doubt not that many readers of the Spectator to whom I have no access would be glad to sign it.
I am wondering if you Could help us by contriving some method by which this memorial could be seen and signed. The case is•dne of great importance to the public, not merely for its imm4diate effect on that portion of the common, but because, in the nature of things, it will be likely to govern many more cases which must arise in our Surrey villages (and in others all over England) as they pass from the agricultural to the residential' stage. I enclose a copy of the memorial.
Hon. Sec. Godalming Commons and Footpaths Preservation Society.
• Prior's Hatch, Godalming.
" To the Right Honourable the EARL CARRINGTON, E.G., President of tho Board of Agriculture. SIE,—We, the undersigned, desire to approach your Lordship on the subject of the application of the Witley Parish Conneit to the Board of Agriculture to authorise the enclosure of three acres Milford Common for the purposes of a burial ground under the Law of Commons Amendment Act, 1893. We venture to urge that the assent of the Board should be withheld from the application for the following and other reasons :--
(1) There has admittedly been a great growth in the popula- tion of Milford during recent years, and owing to the rapid increase of building the rural character of the neighbourhood is being completely altered. The preservation of all common land in the neighbourhood is therefore greatly to be desired.
(2) We submit that the mere fact that common land may be purchased more cheaply than ordinary arable, or pasture, or building land is no excuse for absorbing it even for such purposes as burial grounds, and if permitted in this case an exceedingly dangerous example would be set, and common land in this neighbourhood would unquestionably be subjected to many similar attacks if it were thought that the Board of Agriculture was prepared to assent to the enclosure of commons for burial grounds or other purposes. Numbers of parishes every year are called upon to nieet precisely similar difficulties where no common land exists in the neighbourhood. The difficulties of Milford are not insuperable, and we respectfully venture to submit therefore
that the question of expense should not influence the decision of the Board.
(3) In the neighbourhood of Witley strenuous efforts have been made to permanently safeguard the commons for the use and recreation of the public. During the last twelve months Hind- head Common has been purchased by public subscriptions amounting to £3,800 in order to save it from possible disfigure- ment or injury, while a large portion of Witley Common has also been purchased through private generosity in order that it may be permanently preserved. Hindhead Common is situate in the manor of Witley, though in the parish of Thursley. It would be a most discouraging sequel and would have a depressing effect upon similar public-spirited efforts if the remaining commons were to be subjected to partial enclosure.
(4) There are other cemeteries in the neighbourhood. Thus Milford Church is within 11 miles of Witley burial ground, and only a little more than 1} miles from Godahning Cemetery. It is suggested that endeavours should be made by the Witley Parish Council in the interests of the ecclesiastical parish of Milford to make arrangements by which interments may take place in one of these cemeteries.
We are, Sir, your Lordship's obedient servants.
Name. Address.
(Any person who objects to any clause, or portion of a clause, may still eh, adding the words 'except Clause —.' "
[We would ask those of our readers who know Milford Common, and who desire to prevent a grievous injury being done to a most beautiful piece of natural scenery, either to cut out the above petition and sign it, adding also their addresses, and forward it to the Rev. Gerald S. Davies, Prior's Hatch, Godalming, or else to write to him and ask for a copy of the petition. Several persons may sign one form.—En. Spectator.]
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