THE APPROACHES TO BOX HILL.
[To nes EDITOR or me "Brecrerort.-J
Stn,—May I enlist your sympathy for space to raise a matter which should interest all who know and love Box Hill ? The front of the hill seems to rise from the very High Street of Dorking, but, though eo near, it is not at all easy to get at from the town. The river Mole rune between the town and the bill, and everyone who knows the district knows that Dorking folks who want to enjoy the view have in consequence either to go a long way north or a long way east. The walk north by Burford Bridge from the middle of Dorking is one and three-quarter miles, with another long half-mile climb to the southern front. By the Reigate road the nearest, route means a distance of one and a half miles. So long as the hill was private property and most of the public enjoyment of it was dependent on the generosity of the owners, it is easy to under- stand that the Dorking people were not likely to complain. It would have been tolook a gift horse in the mouth. Now that it is—thanks to the great generosity of Mr. Leopold Salomone- the property of the nation, Dorking rightly sees no reason why it should, by a difficulty of access which can be overcome, be placed at a disadvantage as compared with visitors from a distance. As things are, small children and invalids and those who cannot spare at least an hour or two are debarred.from freely using their new possession.
Now a new route is quite feasible. A plan of it appeared in the Observer of May 10th. It would be a direct route from. the. middle at the town .to the foot of tin. bill beneath
Swiss Cottage. To within a short distance of the river Hole there is an existing path, heading straight for the hill. Between its termination and the river is land in the occupation of the Dorking Urban ConneiL That body would make a path across its land and, with the Rural District Council, would be at the expense of throwing a light bridge across the river. Remains a short breadth of cultivated land on the far side. It belongs, as I understand, to Lord Francis Pelham Clinton Hope, who, as life tenant, has just sold Box Hill.
Here is a great opportunity for Lord Francis to do a con- siderate thing, It may seem impertinent for an outsider to make the suggestion, but I cannot help thinking that Lord Francis, deprived by his sale of the opportunity of dispensing that privilege of free roaming over Box Hill which he and his predecessors have granted for so many years, must feel uncomfortable for want of something to take its place. May I suggest that here would be a kindly and a much-appreciated substitute, which would not be the less graceful because the concession could be thoroughly safeguarded against any possible prejudice to his rights and those of his successors? In the hope that the matter may come to his notice and may have his personal consideration, I venture to write to you.—
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