Transcript Historical Minute Book 1913 to 1923 - Ashdown Forest

The Committee have received an application from Ranger Kirby for some compensation in respect of damage tohis clothes and several pairs of boots in extinguishing fires. Ranger Kirby is a very zealous servant and theyrecommend that he be granted the sum of five pounds out of the Protection and Improvement Fund.H.B. Portman.ChairmanIt is Resolved that the proceedings and recommendations of the Committee be approved and adopted.Central London Regiment application to campAn application having been received from the 4th Battalion ‘Architects’ Central London Regiment Volunteers forpermission for about 200 men or less to camp on the Forest at Whitsuntide from Friday 21st May to Tuesday 25thMay. It is Resolved that subject to the applicants obtaining the consent of General Fry commanding atCrowborough the Board will have no objection to the encampment subject to the usual conditions, at St. John’sCommon or near the Isle of Thorns, the spot to be approved in the former case by Ranger Kirby or in the lattercase by Ranger Brown.In CommitteeThe Clerk reports with reference to the representations made to the War Office on 15th January last with referenceto the Military Camp at Forest Row he received a letter from the War Office on 12th March last enclosing for theinformation of the Conservators a lengthy report furnished to the Army Council by the Military Authorities and***** of letters.Mr. Freshfield states that having regard to the circumstances of the time and the necessarily great pressure on theWar Office, it is not desirable to continue in the matter of the site and character of the camp erected on the Forestnear Forest Row, and he find a further reason for taking this course in the fact that any such communication wouldnecessarily, more or less, of a controversial character, inasmuch as on the information in the possession of theBoard it is impossible to accept as accurate many of the statements as to local and typographical facts on the onehand, and as to communications that have taken place between its representatives and those of the MilitaryAuthorities on the other, put forward in the correspondence that accompanied the War Office letter of the 11thMarch last.It is Resolved that the Clerk reply to the War Office in terms to be settled by the Chairman of the Board and theChairman of the two District Committees.The Clerk also reports that Mr. H. Percy Harris. M.P. having written to him on 29th March enquiring what actionthe Board had taken with regard to the Camp, he lent Mr. Harris a copy of the Memorandum which the Board laidbefore the War Office, and Mr. Harris in returning it wrote for further information.It is Resolved that the Clerk communicate to him a copy of the communication received from the War Office andof Mr. Freshfield’s remarks thereon.ChequesIt is Resolved that the following cheques be signed viz:-H. Kirby 9 weeks salary as Ranger & houserent to lst prox. £11.5.0Insurance 9 weeks £0.2.3£11.7.3W. Brown 9 weeks salary as 2nd Ranger to1st prox. £9.0.0Insurance 9 weeks £0.2.3£9.2.3Do repair of bicycle £0.11.547Ashdown Forest Historical Minute Book