FOOTPATHS.
!To rim EDITOR OF THE " sprerams."1 Sra,—Born in 1845 and a lifelong resident of Caterha.m-on- the-Hill, I would like to draw attention to the obstruction to the legal paths and bridle ways which has taken place during the past few years, particularly since our local matters came under the jurisdiction of an urban council. The whole estate of Caterharn, with a few outlying farms in the parish of Coulsdon, was bought by a firm of lawyers. Within my memory the commons-460 acres—were confiscated under an infamous Inclosure Act ; and although a manorial estate, with a good deal of copyhold property as well, the public rights have been systematically ignored. by those who pull the strings of the council. The neighbourhood was essentially democratic, so the wirepullers to carry their schemes got. the parish divided into five wards, so manipulat- ing them that the democratic vote is defeated in all hut one ward.
Paths that have existed from time immemorial are obstructed, and in some eases closed, and it is quite useless to appeal to the council for any redress. There is not one man born in Caterham on the council, one half of them being lawyers, the other half landowners interested in perverting the high ways.—Trusting you will be able to find room for this letter, I am. Sir, &c., JAMES BALCH. 29 Banstead Road, Galeria:An.
LIST Or PAW)/ OBSTATICTX1).—Path from ChaltIon; path from Coulsdon ; path from Bletel3ingly via. Place and White Hill House to The Mound and Caterhaus Valley via Aldercombe ; bridle way from Chaldon via Beechanger; illegai Mammon of War Coppice
and site of old Roman encampment ; path through. Old Park to join the Pilgrim Way at Erpwood Serabbs. All the paths I have mentioned can be traced to Newark Abbey, leading through this parish to Osted Priory, and thence to Canterbury—all feeders to the Pilgrim Way.
[We have not sufficient knowledge of the district ta say whether our correspondent's complaint can be justified„ but we feel that the preservation of public rights of way is so important that we publish hia letter, though with reserve. His best plan is to apply to the Commons Preservation Society (Victoria Street, S.W.). They will give him the best ascer- tainable advice-on the whole question.—En. Spectator.3
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