Apeïl 15, 1899.
THE ESTATES GAZETTE
620
and breakfast at Cruden Bay next morning. About £50,000 has been spent by the railway company on the links and the hotel. So elaborate, indeed, are the arrangements for the convenience of travellers, that an electric tramway is being constructed between the hotel and the station. The course consists of 18 hales, and extends to over three miles, the ground being undulating and full of natural hazards, and the turf as fine as any in Scotland. Mr. Bram Stoker, of the Lyceum Theatre, discovered the merits of the district as a health resort some years ago, and has resided in it frequently. The coast scenery is very interesting, about two miles from the hotel being the famous Bullers o’ Buchan, a monstrous cauldron into which Dr. Johnson (heedless of Boswell’s fears) insisted on sailing through an arch in the rock next the sea. Near by is Slains Castle, the Earl of Erroll s residence, picturesquely perched on a cliff ; and between the castle and the links is a fishing village, which yields to the golfer a plentiful supply of caddies.
INJURIOUS INSECTS OF 1898.
Miss Eleanor A. Ormerod has again published, in a neat and convenient form, her annual “ Report of observations of injurious insects and common farm pests.”
It appears to have been a busy season for this indefatigable enquirer and entomologist, for we learn ,that during the past year there was a greater variety than usual in the amount and also in the kinds of insect infestations.
Aphides, or blight, seem to have been present to an unusually large degree in the early part of the year, whilst later the grubs of the cabbage moth were very troublesome. Amongst fruit attacks that of the Pear Gnat Midge, which causes great destruction of the fruit m its early stage of formation, was much more prevalent than in any year since 1883, when its presence was first recorded! in this country.
Among the discoveries of new insect agents of destruction may be recorded the pith moth, the maggot of which destroys entire bunches of apple-blossom buds by tunnelling up the shoot immediately beneath the cluster. ^ As yet sufficient information has not been received to enable Miss Ormerod to recommend any effectual means of dealing with the ravages of a caterpillar that seriously injures potato haulm by tunnelling several inches up the stem. From last season’s observations this appears to be the work of Hydrcecia micacea, but it is yet uncertain whether one or two species are present. The observation of the presence of the horse forest fly, which was formerly supposed to be almost entirely confined to the neighbourhood of the New Forest, occurring in Glamorganshire and Brecknockshire, is of much interest. It is gratifying to find that only a few enquiries were made in regard to the ravages of stem or grain insects in corn, and caterpillars and grubs upon orchard trees.
Miss Ormerod states that the amount of application both regarding insect attacks at once requiring attention, and also enquiry correspondence connected with the subject, has so much increased that she has difficulty at times in attending with the promptness which she always wishes to do to applicants, and also in carrying on research, both personal and by correspondence with observers of little-known attacks, which is needed to learn their life-histories as occurring in this country. Also much time is taken by attention to enquiries regarding ordi nary attacks which have been frequently en■ tered on in former annual reports, and she believes are now so generally known both to agriculturists and orchard-growers that reference to them would not convey any new information to her readers. Therefore, by advice of friends, Miss Ormerod will this year publish, in addition to her annual report, a “ General Index” of the whole series, as an assistance in reference to those possessing the set, with a short digest preceding of the main points regarding special observations of the more important insect attacks which have been contributed in the past 22 years.
In the preface to the volume now under notice, which is, it should be said, excellently illustrated and well printed, Miss Ormerod refers to the need of assistance she has felt. She says :—“ In much press of application and occasional illness in the past year, I have found great need of a scientific entomological .colleague to whom, in order to save delay, I might apply as occasion required to give desired information to applicants, and also who would oblige me by co-operation in extreme cases of minute microscopic investigation. I have, therefore, through the kind courtesy of Mr. Robert New-stead, Fellow of the Entomological Society, Curator of the Grosvenor Museum, Chester, made arrangements with him which, by permitting me to communicate with him if occasion arises, remove my fear of difficulties occurring on the above heads, and give me great satisfaction, as I have long been acquainted with his careful insect investigations, and his great powers of microscopic observation and delineation.”
House is tenantless, beyond the residence of a caretaker, and the occasional visits of some representative of the Governor and Company. The scenery around this mansion is nowhere excelled, and includes landscapes of great and varied beauty. Lartington Hall, the seat of the late Right Rev. Monsignor Witham, has no resident occupier, although the edifice may worthily take rank among the principal mansions in the North of England. The fittings of the apartments are of the most costly and elegant description, and the ceilings in several instances are painted in gold and colours of artistic design. The beautiful work of art by Signor Builetti, the Florentine carver, whose work at Alnwick Castle has been so much admired, is one of the chief attractions of this stately home, while the painting of the Crucifixion., by Le Brun, so closely resembles sculpture as to deceive even the practised eye. The wood carving is a translation of Arabesque painting, in the manner of Michael Angelo’s exquisite fantasies of ornament in the Laurentian Library at Florence.
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Then in a few brief weeks Mr. and Mrs. Donovan are about to leave Rokeby Park for London, and the hall, which contains a valuable library, some good tapestry, numerous pictures of interest■, and some Roman remains from Bur-doswald, in Cumberland, will be without its accustomed residents for an indefinite period. Sir Walter Scott, who visited Rokeby for the first time in June, 1809, was greatly impressed by its scenery. “ It is,” he writes, “ one of the most enviable places I have ever seen, as it unites richness and luxuriance of English vegetation with the romantic variety of glen, torrent and copse, which dignifies our northern scenery.” In the autumn of 1812 Scott revisited Rokeby, and, under Mr. Morritt’s guidance, minutely examined the scenery of the poem. The result was! that admirable fidelity of local descriptions, which gives its greatest charm to “Rokeby.”
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The magnificent thoroughfare of the West End of London known ׳as Regent-street has often been praised, but never, perhaps, so highly as by a contributor to the current issue of “ The Temple Magazine.” We may fairly claim, he says, that Regent-street is the most famous street of the world of modern days. To Regent-street come the most costly articles of use and ornament that the whole world can produce ; to Regent-street flock the South African millionaires, the American tourists, the wealthy Orientals, the South American silver-mine owners, to look at the display of ■its treasures, and buy what catches their fancy ; to Regent-street come the Duchess of This and Countess of That to promenade, to see and be seen, during the season. Yes, Regent-street is! the street of the world ! As it is to-day, the famous street may be said to date back to the beginning of this century only. It was in 1813 that most of it was designed and rebuilt by the great architect, John Nash. He it was who׳ gave us the lovely crescents of shops that adorn both sides of the street at its southern end at Piccadilly-circus—the admiration of all who see them. Concerning their “plaster-fronts” it was that the famous skit originated amongst the wits of the time—
Augustus at Home was for buil.iing renowned,
And! of marble did leave what of brick he had׳
found!;
But is not our Nash, too, a very great master? For he found׳ us all brick and left us all plaster! * * *
The design of Regent-street’s direction—that is, a semi-circle and a turn to the north—was in order to make a fine thoroughfare from Carlton House to Regent’s Park. And thus, too, it got its name. Carlton House was the residence of the Prince Regent ; the park was named after him, and so, too, was this new street—Regent-street. The church at the top, in Langham-place, was built there on purpose to complete the view as seen from Oxford-street. One mistake is made about Regent-street by nine persons out of every ten—even of Londoners. If you asked them where it begins, they would reply, “At Piccadilly-circus.” They are not aware that the street across! the road, connecting the Circus with Pall Mall, is also part of Regent-street. And they would stare in undisguised astonishment	if you	told	them	that
Regent-street begins at the Hotel Continental, and probably contradict you. That is not their Regent-street, the	street	of	show	and
promenade, at any rate !
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The merits of the new golf course which has been laid out by the Great North of Scotland Railway Company at Cruden Bay, in Aberdeenshire, would be tested at the professional tournament which was fixed to take place on Friday and to-day. Cruden Bay is, no doubt, a remote place, but therein lies part of its attraction^ to the golfer who wishes a quiet game in a bracing atmosphere, without having to wait long for his turn. And so far as the journey is concerned, it is interesting to note that the traveller may leave London by the night express after dinner,
Jtotes b|i tlje Mag.
Ascot Heath House has been acquired by the Earl of Coventry, Master of the Queen’s Buck-hounds, and workmen are at present engaged in tunnelling the public road for the purpose of making a private subway from the grounds to the Royal enclosure on the racecourse. This will be of great convenience to those privileged to use it. The work is well in hand, and will be completed before this	year’s meeting.
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A	novel	rating appeal	was!	heard	a	few days
ago by Barnstaple Union Assessment Committee. The overseers of Braunton rated the hospital ship of Barnstaple Port Sanitary Authority, which is anchored at the Crow, near Braunton Light, on the ground that she did not swing with the tide. The rating was disallowed.
If the rate had been upheld boathouses and other structures would be also affected.
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An ancient-looking, crudely-formed oak chair, lately secured for the Canterbury Museum, is believed to have been used by St. Augustine.
It was found many years ago in the tower of the church at Stanford Bishop, Hertfordshire. The sexton said it had been formerly in the chancel, and according to tradition was used by St. Augustine, when he visited those parts. It■ is described as being built entirely of oak, without a nail or other metal work about it. In! appearance it is something like one of the old benches that used to be seen at country inns. The seat! lifts up, the space underneath forming a box.
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In a recent letter to the “ Times,” a correspondent complains that though the authorities at Winchester seem anxious to acquire fame in connection wil l! the approaching commemoration! of the millenary of King Alfred, they do not appear desirous of moving a finger to save from destruction one of the most ancient spots of the city—the remains of the moat of old Winchester Castle. To the north of the city is a small estate consisting of a house known as Tower House, with about an acre of land added thereto. For years i!t was owned by a member of the town council, but since his׳ death the property has been bought by an enterprising builder.
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He has let the house, and is now circumscribing the grounds. Through these grounds for about 70 yards runs what is ■left of the ancient moat ■of the castle, the rest has been either built upon or obliterated. It is more than 800 years old, and supplied fish for the tables of the early Norman Kings ; and near the present part of the moat the fish were wired or netted in, so as to be more easily obtained when wanted. Surely these few 70 yards that are left should be preserved from annihilation. The bricks are ready on the ground to build a wall along the eastern side of the castle ditch, parallel to Sussex-street, with a depth sufficient to erect cottages on the western side, ■and so destroy an ancient landmark. If any love of antiquities exists among the corporation, now is the time for ■them to move.
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The Earl of Darnley is exceedingly popular in the neighbourhood of his ancestral home, Cob-ham Hall, near Gravesend, and the village of Cobham was gaily decorated on Wednesday in honour of the home-coming of the Earl and Countess of Darnley from their wedding tour. From the station to Cobham Hall the earl’s carriage was drawn by workmen on the estate, and it was preceded by a number of tenants on horseback. Near the park gates a halt, was made, and the mayor of Gravesend, accompanied by the aldermen and councillors, presented to his lordship an address of congratulation, and, when the hall was reached, a present of plate. These having been suitably responded to, a piece of plate was presented by the corporation of Rochester.
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Some interesting details as to the work of improvement which has been carried out in the church at Stratford-on-Avon—famous throughout the world as! containing the remains of Shakespeare—were lately communicated to the “ Times,” by the vicar. The work done lias included ׳the entire remodelling of the organ, at a cost of £840 ; the introduction of new heating apparatus, and the relaying of the floor after filling in! the old vaults, at a cost of £1,600 ; and the substitution for the old and uncomfortable pews of carved oak benches in the aisles and chairs in the nave, at a cost of £576. Including architect’s charges and sundry smaller improvements, the total outlay has been £3,450, and the subscriptions received have only amounted to £1,831. This leaves the Restoration Committee to face a debt of more than £1,600.
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A writer in the columns of a provincial contemporary complains of the large number of untenanted mansions in Teesdale. He says : Commencing at the head of the dale, Middleton
CATTEWATER RATING APPEAL.
JUDGMENT.
At Devon Quarter Sessions this week, Mr. Joseph Graham, Q.C., gave judgment in the appeal of the Cattewater Commissioners, Plymouth, against the assessment of their breakwater by Plympton Union Assessment Com mittee.
Mr. Graham said! this was an appeal by Cattewater Commissioners from a rate assessed on May 10, 1898, and allowed by the Assessment Committee of Plympton St. Mary on a new valuation in 1897, by which the breakwater, landing stages, etc., at Batten Point were assessed at £1,150 gross and £900 net, and the land occupied by the moorings in Cattewater Harbour at £100 gross and £70 net. Up to the new assessment in 1897, the Commissioners had been charged a merely nominal rate annually, which had been paid. The appellants appealed against the new assessment, and, after several respites, the valuation was reduced by the Assessment Committee to £135 gross and £108 net on the breakwater, and £8 gross and £6 net on the moorings, the ground of reduction being stated to be that the breakwater and works which extended! into the sea were not rateable beyond the low-water mark, which was 210ft. from ,the point of projection from the shore. The reduced rating was. not accepted, and the appeal accordingly came on for hearing on February 4, 1899, before the adjourned! Court of Quarter Sessions. [Estates Gazette, February 11.] There was no dispute about the charge for the moorings, and the contention was confined to that for the breakwater. The respondents contended that under the decision of the House of Lords in the Erith case they were entitled, without reference to the question whether the breakwater works were profitable or not, to charge ,rates in respect of the buildings and land occupied by the base of the breakwater and a projection to low-water mark as constituting a hereditament of value in the parish. The appellants, on the other-hand, contended that the whole structure was in its nature unrateable and was nothing more than a groyne projected into the sea, such, as was, in practice, never rated. It was further urged that the breakwater served no purpose for the protection of the ׳harbour, and that if it had taken the form of a mole detached 70 vards from the main shore it would have been equally effective for protecting ■shipping in the harbour. The Court held, however, that the 13th section of the Commissioners’ Act of 1874 directed the point from which the breakwater should commence. Contrary evidence was adduced by the respondents.
The Court found on the evidence that the breakwater works were a valuable hereditament, and of value to the appellants. The question then arose as to what value they should be assessed. The ordinary rule of ascertaining what any tenant would give for their occupation would to the common understanding appear to be illusory, as no tenant could be found to rent such a structure. But according to authorities the Commissioners themselves, as owners, might be regarded as the hypothetical tenant. Hence they were compelled- to resort to the only method apparently open, and one which was :supported by the authority of the High Court in “ Commissioners of the Port of Lancaster v. Barrowrin-Furness,” namely, that the present cost of ■making the structure should be taken as the basis of what the value of it■ was to the appellants, and that interest at the rate of 3¿ per cent, on that sum being calculated, the amount should be a fair measure of the yearly rent at which the structure and land should be charged. The ־whole value of the assessable block was proved to be £3,700, and on this calculation the ,rateable value would stand at £135 gross and £108 net. As regards the other items in the assessment., there -was no dispute. The Court therefore directed the rate tj be altered in accordance with the view now' expressed.
Each side was ordered to pay its own costs.
Mr. Bodilly, on behalf of the Commissioners, asked the Court to state a case, as the matter was not only of importance to the appellants, but to other similar authorities. The law׳ on the point was in a very difficult and undecided
Mr. Graham said the facts were very clear.
Mr. Bodilly said there w׳as the question whether the Court was correct in deciding as it did as to the basis on which the valuation should take place, although lie did not wish to bind himself down to any one point. There could, of course, be no appeal on a question of ■fact.
Mr. Pridliam Wippell, for the Assessment Committee, believed it ■was understood that no opposition should ׳be offered to a case being stated.
Mr. Graham said the Court would stay execution for a month.
The ESTATES GAZETTE can be obtained of our City Agents, Messrs. POTTLE and SONS Royal Exchange.