The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-07-15 00:00:00

THE EPPING FOREST AGITATION -
DESTRUCTION OF FENCES.

At a moment when least expected a considerable c,
tent of fences around enclosures on Wanstead Flats
were destroyed on Saturday night. During the last
fortnight the agitation in the East-end of London, con-
sequent on Lord Cowley's enclosure of some thirty
acres on Wanstead Flats, has become intense, and at
immense meetings in Mile-end, Hackney, and Shore.
ditch any hint dropped that the fences nnght givt way
if they were pulled at was enthusiastically cheered. A
nnating to be held on Wanstead Flats was decided on,
loft at the last moment the venue was changed from
the flats to the grounds of West Ham Hall, adjoining
the Forest-gate Railway Station. They gave as a
reason for this change that the Essex Volunteers were
to hold a review on the flats at the time fixed for the
meeting on Saturday afternoon.
Six o'clock was the hour fixisl for One meeting, and
by that time se% end thousand persons, principally of
the working classes, had arrived inn the neighbourhood
of Forest Date. Most of them showed great reluctance
to enter the West Hann Hall firounda At six o'clock
harshly twenty persons hail entered; most of them
strolled on to the flats and looked at the volunteers who
were assembling Inc the review. It was noticeable that
the rough class was conspicuous by its absence. The
majority was comisised of mechanics and labourers.
About 100 of the K division of police were on the
ground. and a small body of mounted officers.
At about half-past six a considerable number of
people were induced to go into the West Ham Hall
grounds. Several waggonettes entered, bearing the
gentlemen who were to address the meeting. Sir
Antonio Brady took the chair, and he introduced Mr.
Wingfield Baker, M.P. for South Essex, who essayed
to make a speech. He urged on those present the
necessity of maintaining order, and trusting to the
legislature to seure their rights. So far he was heard
without much dissent, but upon his pniceeiling to en-
force the necessity of keeping the palimpi inviolate, so
as not to imperil the good cause, he was met with such
a storm of hisses annul persistent interruptions that it
neeame impossible for him to proceed.

Dr. Alexander stepped forward, and saying he was
the original promoter of the meeting, advised that it
should be adjounied forthwith to the fiats, as no good
could come of making it a hole.and-eorner affair.
• • • - •

...... •
A scene of frightful upmar ensued, the occupants of
the chairman's waggonette took sides for and against
Dr. Alexander's proposition. The crowd around were
nearly unaninons hi favour of a migration to the fiats,
and when the moderates essayed to read the resolu-
tions they found it impossible to make themselves
heard. The chairman in vain attempted to remonstrate,
and the question was finally put to the vote, nearly
every hand being held up for the aAjournment. A.
rope was lnss..ntily attached to the vehicle, and it was
drawn at a rapid pace on to the flats, the crowd
running at the sale and huzzaing all the way. The
meeting was then held at a part of the flats at a distance
from that enclosed by Lord Cowley, butelose to another
enclosure at the angle where the " Forestall' Anna "is

situated. Letter f apclog.y were then row! from Mr.
J. Locke, M.P. Mr. L. K. Buxton, Mr. John Akroyd,
M. P., Alderman laftVoTetl2o-, M. P., and Lieut.-Colonel
Palmer, Verderer of tin Forest, all expressing sym-
pathy with the objects of the meeting, awl advising
that nothing Ii sad be one in the shape 14 violence.
A succession of resolutis were then i° ken to, but
the speakers were continually interrupted by groans
and hisses for Lowe, GlNdstone, Ayrton, and the go-
Vermont generally.
Thlfollowiug resolutitus were submitted Pi the meet-
ing : sti
Mr. C. W. Tanner moved, an! Mr. R. 11. Wingfield
Baker, M.l'.. seconded,

'That this meeting, seeing with deep regret the constant
enclosures which have taken place in Epping Forest, herehy
resolves that a humble, loyal. and dutiful address he laid at
the find of the Throne. entreating her Majesty. as the faith-
ful guardian and trustee of the rights and liberties of her
faithful subjects to instruct her ministers to take such Imme-
diate steps as to her may seem tit to obtain hr her faithful
subjects the free use of, anti access to lands which hail been
their privilege from tune inunemoriai."

Mr. W. If. Engthe.,4 meted, and Mr. W. Colman
seennded,

" That, taking into consideration the recent enclosures of
Wanstead Flats, her Nlajesty's government be urged to pass,
during the present session, a short hill, whirls shall prevent
the enclosure 41 ally further part if the forest, or the denm-
Mimi if timber or vort therein, pending any inquiries the
government may think proper to make before final legisla-
tion on the subject."
Mr. E. Beesdale moved,

UV the meeting heartily and gratefully thanks the
corpfttion of the City of London, for resisting the illegal
enclostres of but an, Wanstead Flats by Lord Cowley, Mr.
flunuihry's, mid others. Th:l a copy of these resolutions be
sent to the uommiAsioners of :sewerd, the corporation of the
City •d baolon, Mr. iihelstone, Mr. Lowe, the members for
the Tower Hamlets, Ilaekney, the City of 1.1111011, and the
county of Essex."
- -

These resolutions were passed unanimously, and as
the meeting progressed it became more and netre calm
and orderly. and at :thout a quarter to eight, when it
broke up, all apprehensions of any violence had become
allayed.