Abstract of Proceedings 1916-17

( li ) lent ^Mtotflirgicat $mtt%. — • — ABSTRACT OE PROCEEDINGS, 1916-17. EEPOET OP THE COUNCIL EOE THE TEAE 1916. Once again the War has caused us to abandon our Annual Summer Excursions. It was also decided this year, after arrangements had been made for a meeting in the spring at Maidstone, as for some years past, to defer it at any rate for the time being. The Council need hardly say that they will be glad when these annual gatherings of members can be resumed. In reference to the change, made last autumn, of relieving our Honorary Local Secretaries of their financial responsibilities, the Council suggests that, with a view of helping to maintain the interest long displayed by them in the Society's work, it would be advisable to issue to each Local Secretary a form, on which he would be asked to enter any matter of Archaeological interest occurring in his particular district during the current year, and to request each one to return it to the Honorary Secretary, duly filled and signed, on 1st of January. Such memoranda could then be embodied in the yearly report, after being considered by the Council at their Spring meeting, or, if necessary, at a Special Council meeting. This plan, if properly carried out, would enable the Council to keep in touch with whatever might be occurring of Archseological interest in the County. The Council regrets that the War has put a stop to the annual, gathering of the Local Secretaries, the last one having been held at Tonbridge in May 1915. lit PROCEEDINGS, 1916 A considerable amount of extra work has fallen on the Hon. Financial Secretary, the Eev. W. G. Waterman, on account of the altered method of collecting subscriptions. The thanks of the Society are therefore due to him. They are also due to the Honorary Editor, Mr. Aymer Vallance, for undertaking the editing of Vol. XXXII. of Archteologia Cantiana; and the Council has much pleasure in stating that Vol. XXXIII. is already in preparation under the same editorship. All work at Richborough has been suspended during the War, aud nothing more has been said as to housing the objects brought together since the offer made by the Corporation of Sandwich was submitted to those in charge of the excavations. Correspondence has taken place with regard to the better preservation of buildings of historic interest. The matter has been placed in the hands of residents on the spot; but the present is not a favourable time for collecting funds for the purpose. Among the deaths recorded is that of Eev. E. R. Orger, whose name appears in the very first volume of Archceologia Cantiana. He was connected with St. Augustine's College, Canterbury, as Fellow 1855—1866, and Sub-Warden 1866—1880. On page 183 of the College history he is referred to as " now (1907) the senior of all our dons, both in years and in collegiate standing, most honourable for his quarter-of-a-century's service to the college, and venerated as a trusty friend by men all over the world." There were three deaths among members and six resignations during the year. Twenty new members were elected, being a net gain of eleven. The membership of the Society on 31st December 1916 was as follows:— Life Members . . . .130 Ordinary Members . . . 510 Honorary Members . . . 3 643 ElCHAED OOOKE, Hon. See. K.A.S. (By order of the Council.) 4th July 1917. PROCEEDINGS, 1917. liii EEPOET OF THE COUNCIL FOE THE TEAE 1917. Again owing to the continuance of the War this Eeport must be somewhat disappointing. The loss of touch among members through our not holding our usual meetings is much to be deplored, but our Honorary Editor, Mr. Aymer Vallance, aims at issuing Archceologia Cantiana at more frequent intervals than before, so that the Society may be informed of the progress of Archaeology in the County. Nevertheless members will realize the great difficulties which lie in tho way, owing to the shortness of labour and the enormously increased cost of paper, printing, etc., and in fact of everything connected with the technical side of book production. Amongst our losses by death much regret will be felt at the death of Mr. Till, whose interest in everything relating to Eynsford, and more especially its Church and Castle, was well known. The preservation of the latter, for which your Society is especially grateful, occupied his thoughts to the last. Another loss is that of the Eev. B. S. Dewick, F.S.A., well known for his work as Editor of the Transactions of the St. Paul's Ecclesiological Society, and as one who took a very keen interest from the first in the Henry Bradshaw Society, to which he contributed valuable papers. He was present at our last Summer meeting at Burlington House in June 1917. Early in January forms were sent out to our Honorary Local Secretaries, to be returned next December, asking for particulars of anything of Archaeological interest occurring in their districts during the year. It is hoped that this may lead in the future to our record being more full and complete, and to fewer items being left unrecorded. The Annual Meeting will be held this year at Canterbury, and it is hoped that the afternoon may be spent by members in visiting the Castle and the remains of the Black Friars' and Grey Friars' conventual buildings there. When the British Archaeological Association visited Canterbury in 1844 much regret was expressed that no better use could be found for Canterbury Castle than that of a coal store; this was seventy-four years ago, and that up to the present no improvement has been effected in this, the third largest Norman keep in England, must cause great regret to all lovers of buildings of historical interest and importance. Mrs. Eaggett of Manwood Court, Sandwich, recently drew our Secretary's attention to some Wall Paintings in a room at Paramor liv PROCEEDINGS, 1917. "Grange," near Ash, supposed to date from the reign of James I. The cornice contains the King's cipher, I.E. and H. for Henry, Prince of Wales, and the Tudor Eose, Portcullis, and Prince of Wales' Feathers, with texts from the Beatitudes. The wall lower down is covered with octagonal and lozenge-shaped figures, containing wha.t appear to be red and white roses in the octagons and small ornamental designs in the lozenges. The work was not done with a stencil. Photographs of the paintings have been promised for the Society. Several Societies kiudred to our own have been for some years at work upon Place-names. It would be well to find out on what lines they are working, to enable K.A.S. to take its share in such researches in respect of our own County. Membership of the Society, 31st December 1917 :— Life Members . . . . 128 Ordinary Members . . . 502 Honorary Members . . . 3 633 New Members to 31st Dec. 1917 15 15 Deaths 14 Eesignations . . . . 6 20 The members of Council who retire by rotation are:— T. Colyer Fergusson, Esq., F.S.A. Arthur Hussey, Esq. H. Mapleton Chapman, Esq. H. Monckton, Esq. Sir W. M. Conway, F.S.A. Hon. H. Hannen. By Order. EICHABD COOKE, Hon. Sec. Kent Arch. Soe.