Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

Michael Heath-Caldwell M.Arch
Brisbane, Queensland
ph: 0412-78-70-74
alt: m_heath_caldwell@hotmail.com

1898 - 1899 - 1900

Eliza Louisa Marsh-Caldwell – known as Louisa – aged 80/81 of Linley Wood
Georgina Marsh-Caldwell – Gies – aged 78/79 of Linley Wood
Rosamond Marsh-Caldwell – Posy – aged 76/77 of Linley Wood

Admiral Sir Leopold Heath – aged 81/82.
Lady Mary Heath – (ne Mary Emma Marsh) – aged 72/73

Arthur Raymond Heath - aged 44/45
Marion Heath – May – aged 42/43 - (Mrs Cotton - widow)
Major Frederick Heath R.E.– (Gen. F.C. Heath-Caldwell) aged 40/41

Constance Helsham Heath (ne Helsham-Jones) aged 30/31

Cutbhert Helsham Heath (-Caldwell) - aged 9/10
Martin Frederick Heath (heir to Linley Wood) - aged 5/6

Cuthbert Eden Heath - aged 39/40
Ada Randolph Heath - aged 38/39 (Mrs Broadwood)
Commander Herbert Leopold Heath R.N. - aged 37/38
Capt. Gerard Moore Heath R.E. - aged 36/37

Saturday 7 January 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

The Holmwood

Sudden Death - Mrs Hopkins, residing at Anstie Farm, died under painfully sudden circumstances on Thursday in last week. Deceased, whose husband is employed as a shepherd by Admiral Sir Leopold Heath, was taken ill on Wednesday night, and though Dr. Arbuthnot Robertson was called in, she became worse and died at one o'clock in the morning

10 January 1899
Urban District Council

Tuesday evening. - - - Electric Lighting. A Consulting Engineer Chosen
The Clerk read the following letter from Messrs Handcock and Dykes, dated 23rd December: -
"We beg to thank you for your letter of the 21st inst.. Among the clients at present are - - - and might mention amongst other private clients of theirs Mr Abraham Dixon, of Cherkley Court, Mr Pantia Ralli, Ashtead Park, Mr L.C. Cunliffe, Juniper Hall,and Mr Cuthbert Heath, Kitlands, the Holmwood."

Friday 27 January 1899
West Surrey Times

Minnick Wood and Moorhurst Roads
The Clerk reported with regard to the proposed improvement to these roads that Mr Roffey and the surveyor met and prepared a plan showing Mr Roffey's scheme. He had forwarded the plan with a letter explaining the scheme to Sir Leopold Heath and had received a reply, which practically knocked it on the head. Sir Leopold in his letter, referred the Council to his communication on the subject in November, and said that had the Council applied to him six months ago he should willingly have facilitated access to the suggested road. The property is now in the hands of Mr Hargraves Brown.

Mr Gould said it seemed a great disadvantage that Coldharbour should be cut off from their natural railway station as they were now. Mr Gould suggested that the Council should buy the road from Sir Leopold. It would give him some consideration for the depreciation of his property.

Colonel Lewin proposed that the Council approach Sir Leopold and ask him to submit the matter to arbitration, so that the Council might pay a fixed price for any damage done to his property.

After some discussion, a deputation, consisting of Messrs Hack, Gould and Roffey, was appointed to meet Sir Leopold Heath and see if they could come to terms.

Saturday 28 January 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

The Dorking Water Question
Sir,—l gather from your columns that our Rural District Council has from the first been most anxious to join the Urban Council as partner in the purchase of the water works, and that they have now approached the Local Government Board requesting their assistance in the matter.

The Rural District Council consists of members from Ookley, Capel, Newdigate. Abinger, Effingham and Wotton, with the Westcott and Holmwood wards, who, with the exception of the last named. have no more interest in the matter than they have with the Holmwood drainage, which they so strictly keep in their own hands, refusing to listen to the Holmwood members.

It is only reasonable to suppose that, if they should succeed in their efforts, they will deal with the Holmwood water supply precisely as they are dealing with the Holmwood drainage scheme and that they will saddle upon the Holmwood, as contributory district, a very heavy and useless expenditure.

I presume the Holmwood members of the Council acquiesced in this improvident scheme, but I venture to suggest that on so important a matter, involving so heavy a financial responsibilty, their constituents should have been consulted.

The preliminary contract between the Dorking Urban Council and the Water Company was dependent on the consent of the Local Government Board being obtained to the scheme and the contract now no longer exists, since the Dorking Urban Council has failed to obtain that consent.

The Rural District Council are, therefore, entirely free from their provisional agreement, and I hope they will take advantage of their good fortune and make it plain to the Dorking Urban Council, the Dorking Water Company, and to the Local Government Board, that they wish to have no part in any renewed negotiations.
—l am, etc.,
L. G. HEATH.

Monday 30 January 1899
Dorking

Primrose League Meeting and Entertainment
The Dorking Public Hall was crowded on Wednesday evening on the occasion of a meeting and entertainment arranged in connection with the local habitation of the Primrose League, Colonel Helsham-Jones, the ruling councillor, presided, and was supported by the Hon. Henry Cubitt, the member for the division, and Mr G. Lane Fox, vice-chancellor of the Primrose League. Among the audience were Lord William Beresford, Lady Lawrence, Mr Malcolmson and party - - Mrs and Miss Helsham-Jones - -

Friday 3-10 February 1899
Surrey Mirror

For Sale - price 70 guineas, a handsome and useful all round Horse; single or double, ir for riding; first-rate in dogcart; excellent manners;15.3 high and 5 years old. - Apply to the Bailiff, Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Saturday 4 February 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
The Dorking Urban Area - The Proposed Extension - The Voice of Holmwood
The very decided opinion of parishioners of Westcott against their inclusion in the Urban District of Dorking as expressed at last week's parish meeting was endorsed with equal decisiveness at a meeting convened in the ward of the Holmwood, held at the North Holmwood Schools on Monday evening. The interest which the subject has arroused was manifest in the large attendance, which included Mr Robert Barclay J.P., as chairman of the Dorking Rural Parish Council, presided, Col. Helsham-Jones, the Rev C.H. Gould - - -

The Clerk (Mr G. Alloway) at the outset read a letter from Admiral Sir Leopold Heath to the effect that he should not be at the meeting through illness, and intimating that he had withdrawn from the Holmwood Protection Committee. - - The Rev.C.H. Gould - - He thought it was a great point which Sir Leopold made about the intention of the Local Government Act, that they should govern themselves, and not be governed by a town with which, to say the least, they were not altogether in sympathy (cheers).

Mr Hack - - It was not a progressive feeling, but he considered these Councils, as Sir Leopold Heath pointed out, were educating the masses in self-government, and in looking after their own affairs (hear, hear). - - -

Col. Helsham-Jones moved the following amendment: "This meeting declines to come to any final decision as to the proposed re-union of the old parish of Dorking upon the imperfect information now before it, and requests the Chairman to arrange for the hearing of the proposals of the Urban District Council being fully explained, more particularly the proportion of representation between the urban and rural parts, the boundaries of these parts, and the incidence of the rates."

His main reason, Col. Helsham-Jones said, for proposing this amendment was that he should be very sorry to see them committing themselves to a resolution which was not based upon knowledge. At the parish meeting at Westcott he heard very strong assertions made. One was to the effect that the rates would be enormously increased, and another speaker, by way of capping this, said he was certain the rates would be doubled. Well this might be so, but he ventured to submit that it was rather ridiculous for them to pass a resolution against any proposed change without being perfectly informed what the effect of the proposed change would be. He submitted that they ought not to commit themselves to the resolution, or follow the suit of Westcott and pass it out of prejudice, and nothing but prejudice. Let them have facts and figures before them. - - - -

Saturday 4 February 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

We are asked to state that the following paragraph was in the resolution originally prepared by Sir Leopold Heath, but was not moved by Mr Gould:- "It has been suggested that the Holmwood would benefit if the waterworks were purchased by the Rural and Urban District Councils combined, and that if the parishes were united and the waterworks purchased by the new parish the same benefits would accrue to the inhabitants of the Holmwood because they would have their representatives on the water committee, but this meeting knows by experience that even in the most important matter of drainage the wishes of the Holmwood are entirely ignored by the members from Capel, Ockley, Newdigate, Effingham, Mickleham and Wotton, who form the majority in the Rural District Council - - -

Saturday 4 February 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

We regret to hear that Admiral Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., is confined to his house, Anstie Grange, by indisposition.

Tuesday 7 February 1899
Surrey Mirror
Very welcome gifts towards the new Literary Institute Library at Dorking have lately been received. Mr George Meredith has made a further contribution of four volumes of his own works, viz., "Diana of the Cross Way," "One of our Conquerors," "Even Harrington," and "The Egoist."

Admiral Sir Leopold Heath has given his book, "Letters from the Black Sea, 1854-55," and Mr R.J. Clark, as the publisher, has made an especially useful gift in "A History of Dorking" (Dr Bright).

Saturday 11 February 1899
Worcestershire Chronicle

Marriage of Mr A.W. Isaac and Miss Lucy Vernon
In the ancient little church of St. Mary, Shrawley, the marriage was solemnised, on Wednesday afternoon, of Mr. Arthur Whitmore Isaac, of Boughton Park, Worcester, and Miss Lucy Vernon, only daughter of the Rev. W. Foley Vernon, who for the past 36 years has been the esteemed Rector of the parish. Mr. Isaac, who has been for several years connected with the Old Bank in this city, has made himself popular with all classes, not least as a first-rate cricketer, and the bride, by her amiable manners and the energetic way in which she has assisted her father in his manifold parochial duties, has won the friendship of all with whom i she has come in contact.

The following is a list of the presents: The following is list of the presents: .
Mrs. Nele Loring, Chippendale bureau. - - - Mr. Nele Loring, silver cigar holder and box of cigars- - -
Mrs. Nele Loring, Chippendale table.
Miss F. E. Holland, old oak table.
Mrs. R. H. Crofton, cheque.
The Misses Marsh Caldwell, cheque.
Miss E. M. L. Wood, pair of silver mounted menu slates.
Mr. Bryan Holland, embroidered blotting book.
Colonel A. G Holland, silver almanac and memo slate.
Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Holland, bread fork.
Mrs. Crofton, of Lakefield, smoking table.
Major and Mrs. C. H. Crofton, six silver bon-bon dishes.
Mrs. Thurstan Holland, silver cream jug.
Mrs. F. Holland and Miss Julia Holland glass dinner table vases.
Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Holland, views of Oxford.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Loring, silver-mounted beer jug.
Sir William and Lady Wharton, copper flower bowl.
Mr. Harold Broadbent, pair of silver candlesticks.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Holland, carved Indian table.
Mr. G. Bromley-Martin, silver butter dish and knife.

- - - -

Wednesday 15 February 1899
Lloyd's List

Angier Steam Shipping Co.
Annual Meeting
Mr Henry Head presided at the ordinary annual general meeting of the Angier Steam Shipping Company, held yesterday at 2 Whittington Ave, E.C.

The report presented by Messrs Angier Bros. the managers, was in the following terms:-
"The accounts up to 31st December 1895, for the thirteenth year's working of the company, duly audited by Mr James A. Scott A.C.A., the auditor to the company, are herewith presented. The improvement in trade experienced at the close of 1897 was generally maintained during the past year; a relapse occurred during the summer months, but was succeeded by renewed activity and advancing freights during the autumn. - - -

The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, remarked that it showed a great improvement upon its predecessor. In the previous year there was a credit balance of 1,307/. 6s 9d, and this year there was a credit balance of 7,383/. 4s 8d. thus making the profit for the year about 8,709/. - - -

Admiral Sir Leopold Heath seconded the motion, remarking that if they were thinking of rescinding their resolution to sell the ships they must remember that while they nominally received 13,859/. from their working, that amount was by necessary payments reduced to 8,990/. and in future years they would probably have to put by 6,000/. or 7,000/. a year for depreciation. He would take that opportunity of calling attention to various letters which had been sent to many of the shareholders by a firm called, he thought, the Shipping Agency. These circulars, which were generally signed by a gentleman named Coram, recommended the shareholders to sell their shares at a price named. A second circular sent the next day asked the recipients to telegraph. He believed that in consequence a great many shareholders had been induced to sell their shares at depreciated prices. The board did not think they could deal with the subject, but they thought that those shareholders who were present might be warned. - - -

Mr Applin agreed that there were not many cheap ships being built now.
Sir Leopold Heath thought they could not do better than leave the matter in the hands of their three experts. - - -

Saturday 18 February 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

The Water Question
The Clerk read the following letter from Admiral Sir Leopold Heath, addressed to the Council, and dated from Anstie Grange, Feb. 15.th:—

“ I venture to send you a few copies of a resolution I should have moved at the Holmwood Parish Meeting if I had been well enough to attend. The paragraph I have erased was omitted for reasons of his own by the gentleman who undertook to move the resolution for me; but the remainder was carried by acclamation (I am told only five voted against it) in a very large meeting.

At Westcott a resolution objecting to amalgamation was carried with only two dissentients in an equally large meeting, and I would ask you whether, in the face of my arguments, and of our practically unanimous objections, you consider there is the remotest probability of your carrying your point before the County Council Committee.

I would further ask whether, if there is no such probability, you think you are justified in spending the ratepayers’ money in continuing the contest. The Rural District is obliged to meet your attack, and to go to the same expense as yourselves in employing counsel, etc., and it is as a rural ratepayer that I venture to address you.”

The resolution enclosed by Sir Leopold has already appeared in our columns. The Chairman asked if anyone wished to move any resolution. Mr. Chalcraft said he thought they should not only acknowledge the letter, but tell Admiral Heath that they did not agree with it; they did not see eye with him,, nor did they consider it was a doubtful speculation. It was most necessary to have the water under their own control, not for the sake of £ s. d., but for the sake of the water.

As to Admiral Heath’s remark about untried men being less likely to do so well as the directors of the company, they could hardly get into a worse bother than the company had done.
Mr. Tebbs seconded, and it was resolved that the Clerk reply to Admiral Heath to the effect that the Council had considered his communication, and could not entirely agree with the statements it contained.

Saturday 4 March 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

The Holmwood
Communication Between the Holmwood and Coldharbour.
At a meeting of the Dorking Highway Board on Thursday of last week, the Rev. C. H. Gould reported on behalf of the deputation which recently waited upon Admiral Sir Leopold Heath with reference to improving the means of communication between Coldharbour and the Holmwood. The effect of the report was that Sir Leopold was unable to accede to the Council's proposal. After the matter had been further considered it was moved by Mr. Grissell, seconded Mr. Ponting, and resolved unanimously that no further action be taken in the matter for the present.

Saturday 18 March 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

Dorking Rural - Annual Parish Meeting
Admiral Sir Leopold Heath on the Proposed Urban Extension
The annual assembly of the the Parishioners of Dorking Rural was held the Public Hall on Wednesday evening, those present being Mr. Sidney J. Hack (in the chair). Admiral Sir L. G. Heath, K.C.B.. Capt. St. John Hornby, R.N. Col. H.H.Helsham-Jones, Dr Arbuthnot Robertson, and Messrs. Phillips, Jeal, H. H. Chalke, J. Clifton, H. Jeater, Ed. Brooks, Wm. Mansell, and Caleb Knight, with the clerk (Mr. Geo. Alloway).

At the commencement of the proceedings the Chairman gave brief resume of the work of the Parish Council during the past year, the details of which have been published in our columns from time to time.—Admiral Heath said he read last week in one the weekly leaders of "Public Opinion.” that the Parish Councils Act is "The great charter of rural liberty.”

That might, be somewhat of exaggeration, but he was quite sure that those who had the management of their defence against the most unjustifiable and grasping attempt of the Urban Council, should make a great point of that feeling. The instruction to counsel should, and no doubt would, direct him to dwell very heavily and with all his eloquence upon the iniquity of disfranchising for parochial matters upwards of 4,000 individuals, not for any fault of their own—but simply to enable a neighbouring parish to undertake a doubtful commercial speculation.
Disfranchisement was an ugly word, and one not lightly mentioned in these days except, perhaps, in the Board room of the Dorking Urban Council sitting in committee.

He could remember whole communities of Parliamentary voters being disfranchised on account of wholesale bribery and corruption at their elections, and could remember Boards of Guardians under the old acts being superseded for maladministration of the Poor Law, notwithstanding that the majority of them had been made Guardians by election, but they would observe that the disfranchisement in both cases was adopted only as a punishment for malpractices.

The Dorking Urban Council did not complain of malpractices by them, or those whom they had elected to their Parish Council, and its only argument was that of the naughty boy who grabs the toys of his unoffending little sister simply, as he explains to his mother, because "he wants them.”

He left them to guess how the mother treated her boy and let them all hope that their mother, the County Council, would deal in the same way (he did not mean physically but metaphorically) with the Dorking Urban Council.

He felt so sure that they would succeed that he ventured recently as a rural ratepayer to express this belief to the Urban Council, urging them to give in. so that both urban and rural ratepayers might be relieved from the expenses which the contest would entail.
The grounds of his belief were:—

(1st) The practically unanimous wish of the inhabitants of Dorking Rural to be let alone, as shown the resolutions passed at previous parish meetings;

(2nd) the probability—and he might say the strong probability—that if the amalgamation should take place their rates would be increased without any corresponding benefit to them, and if not so increased by the existing Dorking Urban Council there was no guarantee that their successors would refrain from increasing them ;

(3rd) and this was far the strongest reason —that the County Council, consisting largely of gentlemen of high standing conversant with the political life and political feeling of their country, would not be a party to the disfranchisement of a humble community, against its will and for no fault.

If those points were well put before the committee of the County Council on Saturday by their legal managers, he had no doubt they would secure, he expected, triumphant success.—Mr. Chalke remarked that everything had been done that it was possible to do.—ln reply to Dr. Robertson. the Chairman said that any parish owner wishing be heard at the inquiry would listened to.—Col. Helsham Jones gave an interesting review of the work done the Protection Committee in the matter of the Holmwood drainage.—Admiral Heath hoped they would fight for the appointment of a Parochial Committee, which would give them some of the powers a District Council.

Saturday 18 March 1899
Morning Post
Wanted, Thoroughly-experienced House Parlourmaid for small family: age not under 24: needlewoman: excellent references necessary: wages £22. - Address Mrs Gerard Heath, Colbrook, Netley St, Farnborough, Hants

Friday 24 March 1899
West Surrey Times

Great Dorking - Collapse of the Promoter's Case
A proposal having been made to the County Council by the Urban District Council that the boundary of the urban district should be altered so that it shall comprise the whole of parishes of Dorking and Dorking Rural, an inquiry was held at the Police Court on Saturday by Mr E.J. Halsy (chairman), Captain Ramsden, Mr Skewes-Cox M.P., Mr W. Dowson, and Mr S Roberts - Mr George Elliot (instructed by Mr W.J. Hodges) appeared for the District Council. Mr H.E. Duke Q.C., with whom was Mr Gore Browne (instructed)by Mr W.J. Down), appeared for the Rural District Council, and the rural parish of Dorking.

Amongst those present were Admiral Sir Leopold Heath, Dr Seaton (county medical officer of health), Dr E.L. Jacob (district medical officer of health), the Rev. S.C. Lowry, the Rev. C.H. Gould, Colonel Helsham-Jones, Messrs H.J.Chaldecott (chairman of the Dorking Urban Council), W.J. Palmer, - - -

Mr Weeding, clerk to the County Council, read the resolutions passed at the Parish Meetings at Westcott and Holmwood, and by the Rural District Council, protesting against the proposal. - - -
The committee then retired, and after a brief consultation Mr Halsey said they had come to the conclusion that the promoters had not made out a sufficient case for them to go further with the inquiry, and they should so report to the County Council. This statement was received with cheers.

Horsham, Petworth, Midhurst and Steyning Express.

Tuesday 29 March 1899

County Council Inquiry.

An inquiry was held here on the 18th inst. by a committee of the county council into the proposal made by the urban district council for an extension of the urban area, to comprise the whole of the parishes of Dorking urban and Dorking rural, to enable them to take steps to acquire the under-taking of the Dorking Water Company.

- - -continues - - -

Mr T.W. Weeding deputy-clerk of the peace for the county, attended as clerk to the committee, and amongst those also present were - - -the Rev. C.H. Gould (South Holmwood), the Rev. S.C. Lowry (North Holmwood), Admiral Sir Leopold Heath, Colonel Helsham-Jones, - - -and many others.

Evidence having been heard, the committee retired,and on their return the Chairman intimated that they had come to the conclusion that the promoters had not made out a sufficient case, and they would so report to the county council.

Saturday 8 April 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

St.Mary Magdalene's, Holmwood
The services throughout the day were bright, and the singing particularly good, reflecting great credit on all concerned. There were celebrations of Holy Communion at 7, 8 and noon. The services were all taken by the Vicar, who also preached morning and evening. The offertories were given to the National Schools, but were not as good as usual, owing to the absence from home of many residents. The church looked very well, being entirely decorated with white and yellow, with the exception of a group of choice azaleas at the west end. The altar, font and chancel windows were decorated in white, the alter rails, pulpit, organ, reading desk and choir stalls with daffodils, and the other windows and the pillars with primroses provided by the schoolchildren.

The work was undertaken Mrs. Hack, the Misses Chaldecott. Green, Walker, Sumner, Longhurst (2), Funnell, Mrs. Sumner, Mrs. Gould, and Messrs. Hunt. Higgins, and Funnell. The flowers were received from Laura Hampton, Sir Leopold Heath. Dr. Robertson. Mrs. Hack. Mrs. Hornby Colonel Helsham-Jones, Mr. .1. B. Nichols, Mrs. S. Paine, Miss M. Nichols, and the Vicar.

Saturday 8 April 1899
Newcastle Guardian and Silverdale, Chesterton and Audley Chronicle

Talke. - The Rev. M.W. MacHutchin, rector presided, supported by the Rev. Henry Lloyd-Davies and E.Armytage Wade, assistant curates. The churchwardens' accounts showed receipts £152 16s. 8d. and expenditure £157 5s. 3½d. The rector nominated Mr Reginald N. Wood as his churchwarden, and Mr S. Colelough was re-elected as the parish warden. A vote of thanks was accorded to the Misses Marsh-Caldwells for their kindness to the churches during the past year.

Thursday 13 April 1899
Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser
Fashionable Marriages
Miss Marjorie Seymour and Captain H.C.Petre.
Pretty Wedding in London - - Presents - - - Mr and Mrs Cuthbert Heath, silver sugar basin - - - Major and Mrs Heath, magnifying glass - - -

Friday 14 April 1899
West Surrey Times

Holmwood and Westcott Drainage
At Thursday meeting of the Rural District Council, the Rev L. 8. Kennedy presiding, the Clerk (Mr G. Scales) said he had written to Mr Bement, the agent for the Hope Trustees, asking him to expedite matters with regard to the proposed purchase by the Council of the Scammell's Farm site for the Holmwood sewage works—Mr Ponting thought the Council would be justified in sending a definite offer, as the best means to get an early reply. - - -

A letter was received from Admiral Sir Leopold Heath on the question of the Holmwood drainage. He complained that the inhabitants were dependent in that matter, not upon the intelligence of the members of the District Council, bat upon the accident of what particular engineer they may have employed.

The duty of the Council was to use all reasonable diligence in endeavouring to ascertain the best system to adopt having regard to the peculiar conditions of the problem. Of the three schemes before the Council he preferred Mr Lemon's scheme because

(1) it was much cheaper,
(2) it could be got to work in a much shorter time,
(3) that it was applicable (if thought necessary) to every cottage on the Holmwood whilst the Mansergh plan was limited in its application owing to the 100 feet law. It would be unwise to carry out a very expensive and incomplete scheme without waiting for the Royal Commissioners' report.

—Mr Cuthell said the letter was full of mis-statements (hear, hear).—On the proposition of Mr Ponting, seconded by Mr Canter, the clerk was directed to acknowledge the receipt of the letter, which was ordered to lie on the table. - - -

Saturday 15 April 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

The Clerk read the following communication from Admiral Sir Leopold Heath: Anstie Grange, April 4—99.

Memorandum on the Holmwood Drainage.

The remarks of Colonel Lewin when this subject was mentioned on Thursday last at the Rural District Council aptly illustrate the method in which this important question is dealt with by the Council. The Colonel is reported to have said "Let the Council on as their engineer has recommended. ... I am in favour ot going ahead, I don’t care twopence what I vote for so that we do that.”

The meaning of this seems to be We have employed Mr. Mansergh and whatever our individual opinions may be we must go ahead in the direction his leading.” so that, if the Council had happened to employ Mr. Lemon the Colonel would presumably have been as anxious to go ahead with the cesspit arrangement as now with the sewer scheme.

Thus the inhabitants of. the Holmwood are dependent in this matter not upon the intelligence of the members of their District Council but upon the accident of what particular engineer they may have employed.

We elected out councillors on the grounds or the supposed grounds of their intellectual and business qualities, and we have a right to ask them to use those qualities in determining on their individual responsibility the course which they, as a whole, should pursue in so intricate and difficult a matter as the drainage of the Holmwood; the very fact that the constituents of 12 out of the 14 members have no interest in the matter should, to conscientious men, be a reason for giving a greater attention to it and I have no hesitation in saying that to my mind the mere appointment of an engineer and the blind following out of his recommendations does not discharge the Council from their duty in this matter.

That duty is to use all reasonable diligence in endeavouring to ascertain the best system to adopt for the drainage of the Holmwood having regard to the peculiar conditions of the problem.

There are three schemes formally before the Council, viz., that of Mr. Mansergh called for themselves, that of Mr. Lemon called for and submitted by the Protection Committee, and a third which was mentioned by one of the members for the Holmwood Ward at the last meeting, which is apparently favoured by Dr. Jacob, but of which no description was given.

Of these three schemes that of Mr. Mansergh has been fathered the Council solely as far as I can see because it recommended by the engineer, whom they have employed, but even that scheme has been discussed (if it can be called discussion) in a most perfunctory manner, and I am under the impression that no map has been produced or even asked for, showing how the 100 feet law will act and which are the cottages whose owners could under that law be forced to use the sewers and which could not be so forced, not even has any statement been submitted the Council showing whether the scheme will embrace the whole of the cottages which now offend against the rules of the Thames Conservators.

As to the Lemon scheme, it has not been looked at, nor has any enquiry been suggested, much less ordered, as to that which seems to favoured by Dr. Jacob. I follow the example of the Council in putting the 3rd scheme on one side because, like them, I know nothing about it, but I think it highly probable that if it be recommended by so strict a sanitarian as Dr. Jacob it will when fully investigated turn out to the best of the three, and I hope the Council will at once set their staff to report upon it. but in the meanwhie I venture to bring before the Council three reasons for preferring the Lemon to that of Mr. Mansergh :

Ist. It is much cheaper.
2nd. It can be got to work in a much shorter time.
3rd. That it is applicable (if thought necessarv) to every cottage on the Holmwood, whilst the Mansergh plan is limited in its application owing to the 100 feet law.

The Lemon scheme will amply satisfy the Thames Conservators (vide their recent letters. and it should be remembered that the satisfying of those gentlemen is the only urgent question.

The general health of the Holmwood is shown Dr. Jacob’s statistics to be so good that if the Thames Conservators can be satisfied adopting the Lemon scheme in those cottages which drain into the stream the rest of the Ward may well await the report of the Royal Commission on sewage which will possibly revolutionise our ideas on that subject.

It would most unwise to carry out very expensive and incomplete drainage scheme without waiting for the Royal Commissioners report and in the meanwhile the Lemon scheme is an admirable stop-gap.
L. G. Heath.

To the Chairman and Members of the Dorkinq- Rural District Council.

Mr. Cuthell said the matter had been before them so long that he thought they had grasped the difficulties of the question. Besides, he should say the letter was full of misstatements.

Colonel Lewin: Hear, hear.

Mr. Cuthell: In almost every particular. Mr. Pouting suggested that they should acknowledge the receipt, and lay the communication on the table.

The Clerk: You propose to take no action upon it.

Mr. Ponting; No.

Mr. Canter seconded, and the motion was carried.

The Surveyor subsequently reported - - - -

Saturday 6 May 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

Holmwood Drainage
Sir,—On April 13th I addressed a memorandum on the Holmwood drainage to the Rural District Council.
The memorandum was not discussed, but one of the members, Mr. Cuthell, stated that "the letter was full misstatements in almost, every particular.”

I confess I was annoyed at being publicly accused of making misstatements in an official document, and I wrote to Mr. Cuthell asking him to specify the misstatements. His answer was that "he declined to discuss the matter,” which I took to mean that he could not do so.

However, on reading the account of the meeting of the Rural District Council April 27th I find Mr. Cuthell was quite right, for I did make misstatements in my paper and I really think I owe Mr. Cuthell an apology.

I wrote 'There are three schemes formally before the Council, viz., that of Mr. Mansergh. . .”
This was misstatement No. 1, for the clerk informed tho Council that "we have not got the plans before us and shall not until have the reply from the Hope trustees,” to which the Surveyor added that “he imagined the details the scheme would not be made public until the inquiry.”

I went on to state that "the Mausergh scheme had been discussed, if it can be called discussion, in a most perfunctory manner.”

This is misstatement No. 2. for it appears that it has never been discussed at all. But it really is difficult to believe that our Council will consent to remain in the humiliating position being simply the medium for conveying Mr. Mansergh’s schemes to the Local Government Board without even seeing those schemes or forming an opinion as to whether they are fit schemes for adoption.

This concealment would seem to have no object except the ignoble one of preventing those who are against any sewer scheme from preparing their case for the inquiry, but it is to be hoped that some other reason exists and that it will be made public, so that we may not remain under the impression, that the Council are fighting Mr. Mansergh's battle (for it is not their own) in so undignified manner.

The discussion of the 27th April would be amusing if it were not for the disclosure of the fact that the whole of the parishes in the district have to divide amongst them something like £500 on account of Mr. Mansergh's earlier scheme.

One member laid the blame upon the Thames Conservators, another member said the Local Government Board were responsible in his opinion," and then there was a sort of chorus of three members, placing the blame jointly on the Thames Conservators and the Local Government Board, but if my memory is not at fault the Council have only themselves to blame for they persisted in a scheme having no filtering area, although at a personal interview with their clerk an officer of the Local Government Board had stated that no such scheme would meet with the approval of the Board.

Possibly another £500 is being wasted, and I appeal to the members for the parishes of the districts which are not interested in the Holmwood drainage, except having to pay for these preliminary fights, to consider seriously the arguments and proposals in my memorandum of April 13th.
I am, etc.,
L. G. HEATH. May 4th, 1899

Tuesday 16 May 1899
Morning Mail (Dublin)

Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Kincaid R.E., serving at Curragh Camp, and who only lately joined in Ireland from Egypt, where he served under Lord Kitchener in the late Soudan campaign, will take over the appointment of Brigade Major and Secretary, School of Military Engineering, Chatham, on the 14th July, in succession to Major F.C.Heath who will then complete his term of service.

Saturday 20 May 1899
Surrey Advertiser

Dorking British School
Unde the designation of a "pound" and "orts" sale, a bazaar on a small scale was held at the premises of the new British Schools in Vincent's Lane on Wednesday and Thursday, in aid of the building fund, to extinguish which a sum of £830 is required. Possibly many were attracted by the novelty of the announcement, and if so Miss Corderoy, the indefatigable treasurer to the fund had partially achieved her object. The word "pound" was suggested by the circumstance that a fair proportion of the articles on one or more of the stalls consisted of pound tins and pound packages of provisions etc., in great variety, which had been contributed by the generosity of the Dorking tradesmen and others; and "orts," and old Saxon word, which primarily means the leavings from a feast, not necessarily the refuse, was thought to more adequately represent the fact that a quantity of other saleable goods offered for sale were those remaining from a previous bazaar. - - - Gifts of money had been received from Lord William Beresford, Admiral Sir Leopold Heath, Lady Cotton, Lady Tate, the Hon. Mrs Dudley Ryder, - - - - and amongst those who contributed in kind were

Admiral Sir Leopold Heath, Mrs Habershon, Mrs Schomberg, - - - -

Tuesday 23 May 1899
Surrey Mirror

The Oakdene Herd
The sale of a large portion of the fine herd of pure bred Jersey cattle belonging to Mrs. Augustus Perkins, of (Oakdene, Holmwood), took place Friday afternoon. Mr. John Thornton, of the well-known firm of Messrs. John Thornton and Co.. was the autioneer.

The herd of Jerseys at Oakdene has long been known one the best in the county Surrey, the animals dispersed from it having obtained considerable distinction in the show-yard, whilst the young bulls have been much in demand. - - - -. The opportunity of purchasing such exceptionally fine animals attracted many wellknown breeders to the sale, among them being Lord Hardinge (Penshurst), Miss Moore (Lentherhead), and Mr Murray Smith (Loughborough); the Duke of Portland was also represented, and other considerable buyers included the Jersey Herd Dairy Company, Mr. McCreery, Mr. Thurkel (Pengt). Mr. Rawlins (Eton), Mr. H. P. Sturgis (Leathcrhead), Mr. Gordon Canning, Mr. Campion, etc.

Among the company in addition to Mr. and Mrs. Perkins, and Perkins. we noted: Miss Bovill and Messrs. Bovill, Mrs. P. Sturgis, and the Misses Stnrgis, Mrs. Murray Smith, Mr. H. P. Grissell, and the Misses Grissell, Mr. F. de la Garde Grissell, Miss Blake. Mr. T. Scott, Admiral Sir Leopold Heath, etc.

Previous to the sale the company sat down to an excellent luncheon, provided in a spacious marquee, erected by Mr. Fred. Kendall, of Dorking. the conclusion of the repast, Mr. Thornton briefly proposed the health of Mrs Perkins. --- - - -

Saturday 27 May 1899
Chatham, Rochester and Brompton Observer

Army Jottings - - -
On relinquishing the appointment of Brigade Major at the S.M.E. Major F.C. Heath R.E., proceeds to Ireland for duty.

Tuesday 6 June 1899
Surrey Mirror

Coldharbour
An Alarming Smash
On Wednesday morning the coachman and a gardener in the employ of Mr. Cuthbert Heath, of Kitlands, were trying a new horse in his brougham, and while descending the steep hill just above Henhurst Cross, the animal became unmanageable, and bolted.
The men jumped off and the horse continued its mad career, past Henhurst Lodge, towards Beare Brickyard, but getting close to the left hand side of the road, the wheels struck one of the roadside posts, overturning the carriage, which was dragged for about 20 yards, and considerably damaged. ( The horse, which was badly injured, was at once secured and led home by the tenant of the lodge.

The coachman, who received an injury to one ankle, was taken care of at the lodge, until he was fetched home in a pony cart by his employer.

Wednesday 7 June 1899
Belfast News Letter

Major F.C.Heath R.E., on giving up the appointment of brigade-major and secretary of the School of Military Engineering, Chatham, joins in Ireland for duty at the Curragh, in place of Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel Kincard R.E., who take over the appointment at the School of Military Engineering, vacated by Major Heath.

Saturday 10 June 1899
Army and Navy Gazette

Royal Engineers
Major F.C. Heath, Brigade Major, Chatham, ordered to Curragh.

Thursday 15 June 1899
Naval and Military Record and Royal Dockyards Gazette

Royal Engijneers' Changes.
The following changes of station and movements are notificed:-
- - - F.C.Heath, brigade major, Chatham, ordered to Curragh - - -

Tuesday 27 June 1899
Horsham, Petworth, Midhurst and Steyning Express

Death and Funeral of Mr Henry Lee Steere - Ockley
The death of Mr Henry Lee Steere J.P., of The Cottage, Ockley, which was briefly announced in our columns on Tuesday last, evoked widespread sorrow and sympathy, not only in the immediate neighbourhood, but in the district for miles around, the deceased gentleman being highly respected and held in much affection by all classes of the community. - - - Among the large number of carriages sent by their respective owners as a mark of respect to the deceased were those of Admiral Sir Leopold Heath, Sir Richard Webster, Dowager Lady Bowman, Sir Henry Harben, Colonel Helsham-Jones, - - -

Thursday 29 June 1899
Naval and Military Record and Royal Dockyards Gazette

During the next month the following staff appointments and commands will become vacant:- - - brigade major, School of Military Engineering, Major F.C.Heath R.E. (12th);

Saturday 15 July 1899
Holmwood Drainage

Sir, - The value of Mr Balfour Browne's opinion which you were good enough to publish in your last issue will be shown still more strongly, if you will give me space to recite this 17th Sec. of the Public Health Act, to which he refers.

Sec.17 - "Nothing in this Act shall shall authorise any local authority to make or use any sewer drain or outfall for the purpose of conveying sewage or filthy water into any natural stream or watercourse or into any canal, pond, or lake until such sewage or filthy water is freed from all excrementitious or other foul or noxious matter such as would affect or deteriorate the purity and quality of the water in such stream or watercourse, or in such canal, pond or lake."

Image

The sketch shews the following condition of affairs.
A B is a sewer under the 4th Sec. of the Act and is vested in this local authority under the 13th Sec., but as it is running foul water from the Cottage A to the stream B it is under the 17th Sec. a sewer which the local authority is not entitled to use.

So far, I apprehend Mr Scales and I are in agreement, but I understand that he, backed by Mr Macmorran, hold that although the local authority are forbidden to use their own sewer because it carries filthy water from A to the stream, yet C D and E may do so under his own interpretation of the word "sewer" in the 21st Sec. Thus, from Mr Scales' point of view the stream which may not be polluted by the local authority may be polluted with impunity by an individual who chooses to join his drain on to A B.
This is the absurdity to which Mr Balfour Browne alludes. -
I am, etc.,
L.G. Heath, Anstie Grange, July 13th.

Thursday 20 July 1899
Naval & Military Record and Royal Dockyards Gazette

Major W.F.Kincaid, R.E., took up on Wednesday the post of brigade-major of the School of Military Engineering at Chatham in the place of Major F.C.Heath R.E., whose period of service had expired.

Saturday 29 July 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

Sir -
In this case the County Court Judge decided that he could not grant an injunction to prevent certain persons at Capel (tenants of Mrs. Rapley) from pouring sewage through their drains into a sewer belonging to the District Council, which leads into stream.

His reason was that in his opinion the case came under that of Kirkheaton, where injunction was refused, and the blame thrown on the District Council.

I venture to say that if ever there was a judgment which should be appealed against this is one, for the following reasons:-

The Kirkheaton case was tried under the Public Health Act, 1875, in which, and though the local authority is forbidden to pour filthy matter into a stream, yet it is not made an offence for an individual to so. provided he does not thereby commit a nuisance injurious to health.

I do not know the details of the arguments in that case, but, naturally, where the local authority is forbidden to a certain thing whilst an individual is not forbidden the local authority would in case of a squabble go to the wail.

The Capal case was tried under the Rivers Pollution Act. passed in 1876 a year after the Act under which the Kirkheaton case was tried—and it seems likely it the 3rd Sec. of that Act was inserted expressly to remedy the defect in the earlier Acts which I have pointed out. under which an individual, provided he did not create a nuisance injurious to health, might pour refuse into a stream to his heart’s content.

Be that as it may the case of Mrs. Rapley's tenants is so accurately and exactly described that it seems to me there is no getting out of it, and that the Kirkheaton case tried under an earlier law has nothing in common with it.

It is follows:-

"A person other than a sanitary authority shall not be guilty of an offence under this section in respect of the passing of sewage matter into a stream along a drain communicating with any sewer belonging to or under the control any sanitary authority, provided he has the sanction of the sanitary authority for so doing."

Could any words more plainly express the fact that without that sanction Mrs. Rapley’s tenants must be held be guilty of the offence....!
I am, etc., July 27th, 1899.
L. G. HEATH,

Tuesday 1 August 1899
Surrey Mirror

Access to Coldharbour.
Mr Roffey said that Sir Leopold Heath had intimated that he could not allow the Moorhurst Rd to be used by the public for heavy traffic, and under the circumstances great difficulty was experienced in getting goods to Coldharbour from the Holmwood Station.

It had been extremely kind of the late Mr Douglas Heath, and of Sir Leopold to allow the public the use of of the private road, but in face of this intmation as to the Admiral's wishes it was the duty of the Council to do something in the matter, as the responsibility of providing proper communication from place to place legally rested with them. It could not be contended that the proper communication between Coldharbour and Holmwood Station was by way of Capel. Mr Ponting said the public road was very bad indeed, and it surprised him that any vehicles could be got up the hill at all - - -

Friday 4 August 1899
West Surrey Times

Funeral of Sir A. Cotton
A Touching Tribute
Amid widespread manifestations of sympathy the body of General Sir Arthur Cotton was interred in the cemetery on Saturday afternoon.

The attendance at the cemetery represented all classes and creeds, and was a touching tribute to the memory of an illustrious soldier and true citizen.

In deference to the wishes of the family the ceremony was as simple as possible, but its impressive nature was felt by everybody present. At the last moment the local volunteers were instructed to attend, thus lending a military character to the cortege which was formed at deceased's residence at 3.30 p.m.

A party of 24 volunteers under Sergeant Instructor Beards, marched in front of the hearse, and on arriving at the cemetery gates they, with reversed arms, formed up on either side, and the coffin, which was covered with the Union Jack and bore deceased's sword, was carried into the chapel.

The officiating clergy were the Revs G. P. Quick, of Douglas, Cork (at one time curate of St. Paul's), F. E. Ault, of Devonport (formerly at St. John's Westoott), and A. J. McKinney, curate of St. Paul's. The singing was led by the Junction Road Lecture Hall Choir, and the general's favourite hymn,' Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness' was sung.

The mourners included General Sir Frederick Cotton (brother), Lady Hope (daughter), Mr T. A. Denny (son-in-law), the Misses Cotton (nieces), General Godby, Mrs and Miss Scott, the Rev J. M. Worsfold (of Haddlesey. Yorkshire), Miss Bourdillon, Mr G. W. Wesley. Mr J. Attlee and several others.

There were also present at the graveside: The Rev G. Avery (representing the Congregationalists), the Rev T. F. Waddell (Bapt ) , Mr F. W. Doubleday (Wesleyans), Mr Mitchell (the Brethren), Mr C. J. Peirson (Society of Friends), Mr J. 0. Webb (Junction Road Lecture Hall), Mr A. Chalcraft (secretary Y.M.C.A.), the Salvation Army Captain, Mr W. Pardon-Howe and Mr Townsend ('Sir Arthur Cotton' tent of Rechabites), Admiral Sir Leopold Heath, General Edgecomb, R E., Mr Lennox Lesrmooth, Mr Cecil Learmonth, Mr Arthur C. L. Learmonth, Dr Clark, General Haigh, Mr Cotton (nephew), Mr L. M. Rate. Messrs R. J. Clark. R. L. Moore, S. Mathews, Bergman, Hutton, A. H. Hutchins, T. C. Warner and many others.

Saturday 6 August 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

The Primrose League
Garden Party at Holmwood
A highly successful garden party was held on Thursday at the Redlands, Holmwood, in connection with the Holmwood Wared of Dorking and District Habitation of the Primrose League.

About 250 persons availed themselves of the invitations sent out by Colonel Helsham-Jones (Ruling Councillor), and Mrs Helsham-Jones. Tea was partaken of on the lawn in front of the Colonel's charming residence, which is situated in one of the most beautiful spots on Surrey.

An almost tropical sun shone upon the scene, and rendered the shade of the trees, with which the lawns are plentifully supplied, doubly grateful.

The guests were welcomed by Mrs Helsham-Jones with a few pleasant words. Amongst those present were Mr and Mrs C. Mortimer, Admiral Sir Leopold Heath, Captain and Mrs St.John Hornby - - - Miss Helsham-Jones, Mrs Henry Broadwood, - - Mr Bertie Heath, - - -
Just having been done to the excellent cooking of the house-keeper, Mrs Still, an adjournment was made to the lower lawn, where a platform had been erected beneath the trees, to hear an address from Mr C.E. Tritton J.P.

Colonel Helsham-Jones, in introducing Mr Tritton, expressed pleasure if afforded him and hiw wife to welcome those present. He was delighted to see that the Holmwood Ward showed up so well. It was a pretty strong ward, having a membership of over 200 - about 36 knights and dames and 170 associates. Out of the 21 wards comprising the Habitation of Holmwood Ward showed nearly a fifth of the whole membership, which was about 1,100. He took the opportunity of thanking those who had so kindly helped him in the business of the ward, without which assistance it would have been impossible for him to have dealt with the work. They were also greatly indebted to one or two members for the number of recruits brought into the Habitation during the year (applause). - - - -

Colonel Helsham-Jones proposed a vote of thank to Mr Tritton, which was heartily accorded as was also a similar courtesy to Colonel Helsham-Jones, on the motion of Sir Leopold Heath, and the meeting concluded.

Wednesday 6 September 1899
Taunton Courier

Fashionable Wedding at Kingston
Marriage of Captain Arthur Street and Miss Violet Cecile Eden.
The village of Kingston was on Wednesday afternoon the scene of a very fashionable wedding, the contracting parties being Captain Arthur Street, of the West India Regiment, son of the late Colonel C. Street M.C.S., and Mrs Street, of Staplegrove and Miss Violet Cecile, youngest daughter of the late Mr Charles Calvert Eden H.B.M., and Mrs Eden of The Grange, Kingston, and Merchligen Rubigen, Berne, Switzerland.

Mrs Eden and family have resided at The Grange, for many years, and as they are extremely popular in the neighbourhood the event was quite naturally regarded by the villagers almost in the light of an important public function - - - The bride was the recipient of many very handsome presents, of which the following is a list: - - - Miss Marsh-Caldwell, silver coffee spoons and sugar tongs, Miss G. and R. Marsh-Caldwell, Mexican embroidered table cloth; - - -

4th October 1899.
Gerard Moore Heath becomes a Major in the Army.

Thursday 5 October 1899
Daily Telegraph & Courier (London)

Sir Redvers Buller
Lord Lansdowne was in conference with Lord Wolseley at the War Office yesterday morning, and later engaged with Sir Peter Buller and Mr.George Wyndham M.P., Under Secretary of State. Sir Evelyn Wood was busily engaged with his military assistants, Colonel Robb and Major Heath, during the morning, andin the afternoon was in consultation with Sir Charles Mansfield Clarke, Sir Francis Clery, and Major General Salmond. - - - It is now pretty certain, says the Central News, that Sir Redvers Buller will leave England for the Cape by the Dunottar Castle on Saturday week.

Saturday 7 October 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

Access to Coldharbour. —The Clerk said that as instructed he wrote on May 2nd to Messrs. Vigers, Mr. Hargreaves Brown’s solicitors, stating that the Council had had under consideration for some time past the question cf the means of communication between Coldharbour and Holmwood.

He pointed out that at the present time there was no direct public road between these places, and the inhabitants of Coldharbour had to go down to Ockley to get to Holmwood, a very circuitous route and one which would not interfere with private interests, would be by Anstie Lane past Minnick Wood along Mr Hargreaves Brown's road between Moorhurst Gate and Bearhurst, and thence over the bridle way near Mr Perkins' house, and he was directed to approach them with a view to obtaining a right over the section of the road between Moorhurst Gate and Bearehurst. It was believed that this would be in no way prejudicial to their client's interest, and the Council would, of course, take over and repair the road. - - -

To this communication Messrs Vigers wrote on the day following, pointing out that even if Mr Brown were disposed to agree to the suggestions of the Council, a much more convenient route could be found in Sir Leopold Heath giving to the public rights over the Moorhurst Rd, such as they had hitherto enjoyed by his permission.

Mr Brown, to the west, had given up great concessions to the public and his neighbours in throwing open the Mosses Wood Road, and the diversion of roads, and it was only fair that his neighbours should show a similar disposition as regards the access from Holmwood to Coldharbour.

There were sure the Council would see the justice of this proposal, and approach Sir Leopold Heath. They could not advise Mr Brown to accede to the wishes of the Council, as better means of access could be obtained over other private roads. - - -

Mr Ponting said that the inhabitants were decidedly worse off. They had hitherto had the use of the road past Kitlands and Moorhurst. The former was now completely shut, and the latter was closed to wheel traffic. Col. Lewin suggested to Mr Roffey that the matter should be allowed to rest for a while. - - -

Friday 13 October 1899
Surrey Mirror

Admiral Sir Leopold Heath, in a letter to the "Times," points out that in 1867, an expedition, costing nine million, was sent to relieve from captivity of one of our consuls and a few servants. He thinks we are bound to interfere now to save ten to twenty thousand Englishmen from tyrannical oppression in the Transvaal.

Friday 13 October 1899
Surrey Mirror

Admiral Heath on the Transvaal Crisis
The following letter from Admiral Sir Leopold Heath, K.C.B.. of Anstie Grange, Holmwood, appeared in the "Times" on Saturday:

Sir, In 1867-68 I had the honour of commanding the naval portion of an expedition consisting of 15,000 troops, 27,000 followers, with 36,000 transport animals of all sorts, including 44 elephants.

It was conveyed by 291 steam and mailing vessels, and its total cost was ,£9,000,000 sterling.

Sir Robert Napier, who commanded the force, marched miles through country practically unknown—a country sparingly supplied with forage and water—and intersected by steep and precipitous mountains and deep ravines and valleys. He crossed ranges more than 10,000 ft. above the sea level, and I could fill your columns with a description of the romantic adventures of this wonderful and wonderfully-successfully expedition.

What was its object? Simply to release from cruel captivity our Consul and some half-a-dozen servants of lesser rank. That Was all.

We are now face to face with the tyrannical oppression of 10.000 or 20.000 Englishmen, and shall we not held them.? By negotiation if possible; but help them.

In presence this tyranny conventions and questions of suzerainty are all bosh. We have to stop the oppression.

The reduction of the period required for obtaining the Transvaal franchise is proposed merely as a means to this paramount end; but it seems to me a clumsy one. and, as the obtaining of naturalization in the Transvaal involves the relinquishing of the proud position of "Englishmen" (as I suppose it does), I think it doubtful whether many of our country men will ask for it.

But, just as Sir Robert Napier, when obtaining the release of his own countrymen, obtained incidentally that of some German missionaries, so whatever is given to us will also be given the thousands of Germans and other Uitlanders, and it possible that they may pass over in sufficient numbers to influence the elections and thus obtain in time the redress of their grievances.
But it will be a long business.

The simple and effective plan would be to formulate a detailed list all reasonable complaints and to insist upon their immediate redress.
—Your obedient servant, L.G. Heath, Admiral.

Saturday 21 October 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

Parish Council
Present: W. A. Calvert, C.C. (chairman, Meesrs H. Roffev, K. Smith M Dean, H. J. Lippcombe, J. H. Dale, J. Akhrust ,T. Worsfold. and E. Moore (clerk).

—The Chairman reported that the committee which was appointed to procure a small iron safe to keep such of the Council's books in as are in frequent use, had purchased a second-hand one of Mr J. Sandford for £5 10a. He also read long list of books and documents relating to parish affairs, dating from 1846 (one year missing). These he had undertaken store in his own strong room at Broomells.

With reference the basis for the county rate , which was set down £18,357. whereas the basis for local purposes is only £13.028, the Parish Council had sent in objection the County Council. - - -

- Mr Roffey called attention to apart of the footpath between Martin's Cottage and A. J. Lipscombe's meadow, near Coldharbour, on land belonging to Sir Leopold Heath, and said that about 30 yards was in a very bad condition.
-It was resolved to write to Sir Leopold Heath, asking him if he will have it repaired, or if the Council did the work, whether he would pay part of the costs- - - -

Saturday 21 October 1899
Army and Navy Gazette
Royal Engineers
Major F.C. Heath has been selected for special service in South Africa

Wednesday 1 November 1899
Dublin Daily Express

Further Military Appointments
To be Special Service Officers - - - Major F.C.Heath, Royal Engineers

Wednesday 1 November 1899
Liverpool Journal.

The Balloon Corps Active
Cape Town, Monday
A report from Ladysmith states that a patrol of the enemy on Saturday captured 130 mules, which had been sent to graze outside the camp, but the report is not confirmed. Valuable observation work has been done at Ladysmith by the balloon corps. Major Heath and a private made an ascent in a balloon, which remained floating in the air at a considerable height above the town all Saturday and Sunday. The balloons are in telephonic communication with the earth

Wednesday 1 November 1899
London Evening Standard

The Staff in South Africa
The undermentioned Appointments are made to the Staff of the Lines of Communication in South Africa. - - -
Major F.C. Heath Royal Engineers, Dated July 1, 1899

Thursday 2 November 1899
Naval and Military Record and Royal Dockyards Gazette

War Office.
The undermentioned appointments are made to the staff of the lines of communication in South Africa - - - - To be special services officers, Majs. F.C.Heath R.E., H.N.C. Heath, Yorkshire L.I. - - - -

Saturday 4 November 1899
Army and Navy Gazette
To be Special Service Officers:- - - - Major F.C. Heath R.E. (July 1).

Saturday 4 November 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
Captain Gerard Moore Heath R.E., who is doing such good service in his balloon at Ladysmith, is the youngest son of Admiral Sir Leopold Heath, of Anstie Grange. His elder brother, Major Frederick C. Heath R.E., is doing equally good, although less conspicuous work on the Southern Borders of the Free State.

Diary Letters of Captain Gerard Moore Heath R.E. from Ladysmith, South Africa.

Monday November 4th 1899
I am quite cheery again now, and treat the shells that come bursting about our heads almost with indifference. We get used to them, and in a good hour be it spoken, they have not done much damage.

Today and tomorrow is an armistice, to get women, children and wounded under cover, and everyone is busy burying themselves in holes, in the ground, as we expect a much more serious bombardment on Monday.

After I write that depressing letter, I went out for a ride round the batteries, and was much revived. I don't think this place can be taken by a Boer assault, and unless their shells are too much for us we can stick here for some time.

Up to date the bombardment has been quite humorous, we know every gun by its sound, and it is really quite amusing speculating as to where the next shell will pitch. They bombard us for ½ an hour, or an hour, we reply a little, then everybody knocks off for breakfast or tea, or whatever it may be, tea finished, down come a shell again, and so on.
I told you about my 1st shell, it was the 1st shell fired in the battle and aimed straight at me, and was very startling, as being so utterly unexpected.

I had a balloon up a good deal yesterday, they put a shell through it as it was nearing the ground. I was not in the car. They also dropped a shell through it they day before while it was under cover, and the wind has torn one, that makes three balloons gone, but I hope to have another ready for Monday.
All telegraphic post and rail communication is cut off from us, and we are quite in the dark as to what is going on outside.

I enclose a newspaper cutting of Monday's fight, which is accurate. As soon as they saw the balloon going up in telephonic communication with the armoured train - - -they distinctly heard several messages transmitted by the operator in the balloon. For instance - "Our shells are falling short of Pepworth Ridge." (where Long Tom was posted) more messages come down "More to the (3) left" with happy result. Then again they heard "Our attack on Pepworth Ridge seems to be successful." "Our troops are retiring from Almetta Hill." These were unmistakeable evidences of the usefulness of the balloon.

Friday November 8th 1899
Quite happy still but rather more heavily bombarded than pleasant, the shells kept dropping in my camp yesterday, but they only killed two poor ponies and two bullocks. Total loss from yesterday's bombardment, one man's leg shot off.
We had the balloon up all day and did good service. The balloon annoys them very much and keeps them from being too aggressive.
I wish they had not taken to firing shrapnel at it, they will bag me one day. I am shifting my camp to some woods near the town, when I fly the balloon, it is not quite so shelly there, and one gets out of wind and dust and the birds sing. I refer to it always as "Arcadia," but they, (the Boers) are mounting some guns rather unpleasantly near this side just now and I don't know whether the place will be tenable. I can see all their doings from the balloon, they are very much scattered, and I think we could wipe them out in bits if we tried energetically.
They have a specially neat place south of my balloon, which I want to see attacked, but Sir George White is right to do nothing, unless absolutely necessary, until relief comes, but meanwhile the Boers are mounting more and more big guns and closing in.
Saturday 9th November 1899

Began with all Boer guns bombarding and then attacks of rather feeble nature all round. We had the balloon (4) up all day, but I don't think we were shot at as much as usual. Anyhow nothing hit us, though plenty of shells came buzzing round the neighbourhood, but one gets absolutely used to them in the most extraordinary way, considering how we all ducked our heads at first.

Today is the Prince of Wales's birthday, we fired 21 guns and cheered and sent him a telegram by pigeon post to Durban, but of course we have no communication back. My Reuter's correspondent is trying hard to send a message out tonight and I have asked him to send a line to Eastern Telegraph Company - "All well and jolly up to date." A good deal of long range fighting today but few casualties.

Monday 11th November 1899
Our relief should have landed at Durban today. I notice signs (from balloon) of Boers moving to cover their roads home, particularly on the Free State side, others don't believe it and think they are concentrating for attack - nous verrons. - A shell or two arrived at the balloon today, but fell short.

I spent the day tidying "Arcadia," and we have now quite a pretty little camp in a wood, far the best in Ladysmith. We have surrounded it with prickly hedge and barbed wire to keep out unwelcome Boers, and I have had a bath, the 2nd in a fortnight, and we had boiled cabbage for dinner, so we have been very jolly and feel very fit.

Thursday 14th November 1899
We are getting positively to delight in shells whenever one bursts near enough, we all run out to pick up the bits, - we have had a good few round our camp today, but no harm (5) done. We sent out a couple of regiments of cavalry today and some batteries to reconnoitre a hill and take a gun, there were only 200 or 300 Boers there, that I could see from the balloon, and they mostly went away and hid in a nullah behind, while we wasted precious ammunition on the hill. We might easily have taken it with a good battalion of Infantry, but that was not sent out, so the cavalry and artillery came back without effecting anything, which was a pity.

I had the honour of explaining my views on the situation to the Chief this morning, and he said all his information gave the same view, i.e., that they were moving to cover their roads home, and at the same time apparently, sending a force to oppose our relieving force, which we hope to see in two or three days now, - but I expect there will be some heavy fighting before they can join us.

The Boers are very good chaps, one of our Officers got into their camp by mistake yesterday, with a flag of truce, he said they were perfectly charming in their manner, gave him a drink and said they wanted to be good friends with us, except when actual fighting is going on, they they liked the Englishmen, but that the colonial-bred man and the colonial papers were the cause of all the bother. My friend went away delighted, having arranged a race meeting with them, to come off between the lines on a day of truce, specially appointed, won't that be funny?

(6)
Friday 15th November 1899
Those blooming Boers startled us all very much by firing all their guns into camp at mid-night, for fun I suppose, but I hope they won't repeat it, as it is annoying to be awakened by shells bursting over one's tent, they have not had a chance since, it has rained hard for the last 12 hours, all very well for we balloonists, but poor men who have to keep watch in the trenches and no shelter at all!!

Wednesday 15 November 1899
Daily Telegraph & Courier (London)
The Transvaal War Fund
The Lord Mayor has opened a Fund at the Mansion House for the benefit of the widows and orphans and other dependents of officers and men of her Majesty's forces who may unfortunately lose their lives in the war operations in South Africa: - - - Nineteenth List of Contributions - - Citizens of Auckland, New Zealand £200 0. 0. - - Admiral Sir Leopold Heath £12 0. 0. - - -

Diary Letters of Captain Gerard Moore Heath R.E. from Ladysmith, South Africa.

Sunday 17th November 1899
The Boers had three shots at the balloon this morning, two were very good, they fire 6 inch shells at me, the best one was just as I was making an ascent, luckily I was going up pretty fast, and the shells passed underneath, and fell close to one of our tents. I am, I hope, going to bring home a bit of it for Marjorie.

I wish someone would come and relieve us, they seem in no hurry about it. We shall run out of things to eat, and also of ammunition if they don't watch it, besides it is very trying for the poor man on outpost duty, day and night, rain and all weathers, and no shelter and I hear there is much sickness and dysentry (this was exaggerated I find).

Talking of dysentry, did I tell you that the Boers sent in and asked us for chlorodyne and other medicines, as they had a lot of dysentry, we gave it them, or course, the opposing armies are quite friendly.

I keep Ada's and Harry's lucky sixpence in my pocket on all occasions. I have been very hard up for literature, but have (7) at last raised a book, - "Darwin's Descent of Man," the lightest literature I could find.

Saturday 18 November 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

Among the local contributors to the Transvaal Refugees Fund are: Holy Trinity Church, Guildford, £54 6s 10d; Esher Church, £28 6s 11d; Godalming (3rd instalment), ,£50; St. Nicholas, Guildford, £54 10s. 5d.

The local contributions to the Mansion House fund are:—- Duchess of Northumberland .£50; Lord Iveagh £1,000; Haslemere Church £49; Mr. F. D. Brocklehurst £40: Mr. J. L. Densham £500: Mr. B. Densham £105; Mr. J. S. Budgett £50; Holmwood Church £24 13s; Admiral Sir Leopold Heath. £l2; St. Mary’s Church, Oatlands £55 13s sd; Long Ditton Church £45; and Trinity Presbyterian Church. Wimbledon £30. Mr. G. Hollingsdale, of South Godstone. has collected and forwarded 29½ shillings to the "Daily Telegraph” Fund.

Diary Letters of Captain Gerard Moore Heath R.E. from Ladysmith, South Africa.

Wednesday 20th November 1899
Very hot now in the middle of the day.The Boers - confound them - again plumped shell into us in the middle of the night. I don't think they hurt any one.

On Saturday the gun we call "Silent Susan" (all the enemy's guns have nick-names, - Long Tom - Big Ben - etc.) shot off the legs of a poor old Civilian Doctor, and killed him. The poor old boy had dug himself a hole in the river bank, in which he lived safely all day, and had just emerged for an evening stroll round the tow. I was strolling round too and one of Silent Susan's shells fell near me and the other killed the poor old doctor. Silent Susan is a beast, you can't hear her fire, and so be prepared for accidents.

No news of relieving force except rumours that they are waiting for artillery and another that they have had their armoured train captured.

Thursday 21st November 1899
Tilney (Capt: Tilney, 17th Lancers attached) does the catering for us, and feeds us jolly well, he made a cottage pie for dinner and baked it in an oven of his own invention, served with some green peas that had been given us, and Worcester sauce added to taste, made a jolly good dinner.

Mellor (subaltern), has a gun and shoots doves, which, baked in Tilney's oven, are also very scrumptious, served hot with crumbs collected from the bottom of a sponge rusk tin to do instead of bread crumbs; (8) we had them for dinner yesterday, so we don't do badly.

You won't believe this, but it is true the energetic Tilney was up in the balloon yesterday, and in order to make himself lighter, threw out his boots, one, on its way down to terra firma, hit a dove and killed it.

I am sorry to say the Boers have the satisfaction of knowing that I am well and jolly, the runners I sent with the telegram was captured and the messages torn up by them. I have got my Reuter's correspondent's friend to send another, so perhaps you will get it after all.
There seems to be no immediate prospect of relief, and our ammunition is short, however, if the Boers confine themselves to shelling, we shall do, I hope, but we have only enough artillery ammunition for one good fight. They shelled us again in the middle of the night and fired shrapnel at me in the balloon today but it was aimed to high - it is really though, very trying in a balloon when they fire at one, and I wish they wouldn't!

Tuesday 21 November 1899
Civil and Military Gazette
The Staff in South Africa
Major F.C. Heath, Royal Engineers

Diary Letters of Captain Gerard Moore Heath R.E. from Ladysmith, South Africa.

Tuesday 26th November 1899
I have been here just a month, and besieged for all but four days of it. I don't expect relief for a long time yet. We have plenty left to eat, but little gun ammunition. We do such a lot of silly babyish things - the other day we allowed 250 or our precious cattle to stray over to the Boers, then half the armoured train was captured - the Boers must think us such fools, and with very good reason.

Everyone in camp abuses Sir George White and his staff, he, poor man, certainly appears to be very feeble and vacillating, but I expect his hands are tied by superior orders, the staff as a body seem to be to outsiders a very haphazard lot, and I think it has been proved that because you get three medals and a brevet or two for fighting Arabs in the Sudan it does not follow at all, that you are the right man to fight the wily Boer against Mauser rifles, and well aimed big guns, of course though, when things go wrong it is easy to abuse the responsible people - it certainly is irritating to be cooped up here like rats in a cage, by a lot of Boer farmers and that we should do absolutely nothing to help ourselves, but I am not sure that it is not a good policy, to keep quiet till all re-inforcements are ready for closing on the Boers.

Bad luck! my second telegram to you has been stopped by the Boers, so you won't hear yet awhile. I much fear sometimes that though the Balloon has done its best, it has not done much good, we have seen everything going on, and made a beautiful map of the Boer positions, but it seems that the Staff get the same information from their native scouts. I don't expect to get anything at all out of the job, except honour and glory, which is unfortunate.

Friday 29th November 1899
I went to church with Tilney on Sunday evening, it was crowded with rough warriors of all ranks and we had a very impressive service and good sermon.

Those old Boers have put up a new big gun and as usual had a shot at me, it was pretty near, but not near enough from their (10) point of view.

We have had news today that Clery has had a fight and defeated them, and has got to within about 20 miles of us so that is good, also that Buller has defeated them on the borders of the Free State.

I have been very busy the last day or two with my wireless telegraphy. I have been told to do what I can in that way, in case our relievers may have the apparatus and we could then get into communication.

I have got it to go well so far, but it is a thousand pities I did not press the matter of bringing it out here. A successful installation would have been the thing we have wanted in order to communicate with the outer world.

I dined with Sir George White last night, he is down on his luck, and said very little to anyone, but I eat Turkey and ham! a great luxury. The sausage machine Col. Templer gave us is the only thing that saves our digestions, it is permanently screwed on to the dining table, the meat is absolutely unchewable without it.

We are eating true "Trek Ox" now, i.e., the beast that draws the wagons in peace time, but we have a good supply of "stores," thanks to Tilney's excellent arrangements, and do very well and comfortably.

Saturday 30th November 1899
We have had a very unlucky day. 1st I was caught in a bad and sudden squall, when up in the balloon, and was dashed down on the rocks and bruised my foot badly, and arm a little. I was dashed down at 2nd time, but the 3rd time made up (11) my mind to jump from the balloon, which I managed successfully, and saved further damage.

Then the balloon while on the ground got caught in a whirlwind and was smashed up and the 3rd and most sad, my poor little balloon section has lost a man who went to hospital this afternoon with bad eyes, and while there got killed by a shell which entered the building and wounded nine others. Those fiends of Boers to fire on the Red Cross Flag! They do it deliberately and repeatedly and our poor sick and wounded are helpless.
Advent Sunday, December 1899

I held a service this morning, and Mellor read the lesson, on a grassy bank under the trees. My balloon camp is lucky in this respect, it is the only one which has trees and woods round it. I put it here so that the Boers would find it difficult to get the range of the Balloon.

Yesterday we got into heliographic communication with our relieving force, so I hope in the course of a fortnight we shall get real communication and be able to send and get letters.

The good Hutton (Reuter's Correspondent) put my telegram to you in his third attempt to get a runner out through the enemy's lines, and this time I really hope he has been successful.

Thursday 7 December 1899
Morning Post
Wanted, for the country and from the country, as Second Housemaid of two, a strong, industrious Girl of from 16 to 17 years of age, with good character - Address, Linley Wood, Talke, Stoke-upon-Trent

Diary Letters of Captain Gerard Moore Heath R.E. from Ladysmith, South Africa.

Friday 8th December 1899
The general monotony was pleasingly broken this morning by a most successful attack last night on some big guns, which had been very annoying to us, and especially to the balloon. General Hunter commanded, a high hill where the guns were was stormed against a weak resistance, enemy surprised, and (12) two big guns completely blown up by the Sappers. The Boers must be very sick indeed, so sick that their other guns have hardly fired all day. I hope this will be the beginning of the end of the siege.

We had plenty of shells in my camp the day before yesterday. They thought the balloon in a tempting position, but they could not hit it and did not hurt anybody, the men must have a fine collection of fragments now.

Thursday 14th December 1899
Relief seems a long time coming, Buller is waiting for things to be ready, I suppose. Meanwhile we heard the welcome sound of guns Colenso way, yesterday, and this morning they sounded big ones and I hope they are ours.

Mellor has done a beautiful photo of me in my afternoon dress, which I hope to enclose. We are all ready to turn out at a moment's notice, in co-operation with the relieving force, to do battle. I expect it will be a sanguinary one when it comes.

We took another big gun the other night, but with a good deal of loss, I am sorry to say, 11 killed and 43 wounded, but our men got into them with the bayonet, which frightened them I expect. I think our soldiers are the finest in the world.

Friday 15th December 1899
Well this is jolly, a telegram via Heliograph from father to say "All well" which greatly relieves me, and to say I am Major - may I get a brevet and be Lieut: Colonel, but this is not likely I fear.

There has not been much opportunity for (13) balloons as yet, and I don't know that they have done much real good, except by frightening the Boers, or at least I don't think the Staff thinks so, but I am glad to hear all well from home, it is worth many promotions, the worst of it is I fear you never got the telegrams I sent by runner, or you would not have asked if I am well, and you won't understand why I don't reply.

There is no chance of my being allowed to send a private message by Heliograph. Funny thing I was only saying, in a causal sort of way, this morning "I wonder whether I am Major yet," and in the evening up came your heliogram.

Friday 15 December 1899
St.James's Budget

School of Military Engineering - Captain G.M.W. Macdonogh, Royal Engineers, to be Brigade Major and Secretary, vice Major F.C.Heath, Royal Engineers, whose period of service in that appointment has expired.

Diary Letters of Captain Gerard Moore Heath R.E. from Ladysmith, South Africa.

Sunday 16th December 1899
A good deal of shelling today. I wheedled the Chief Staff Officer into letting me send a message by heliograph, but he would only allow two words, "All well." I showed him Father's telegram signed Sir Leopold Heath, which I expect had good effect. Wish I could look older, the Chief expressed much surprise at my rank.
Goodbye for the present.

Tuesday 19th December 1899
Well, Buller has had the knock, and lost 1,000 men and some guns - comes of under-rating the Boers and trying to attack an extraordinary strong position with insufficient troops. We are disappointed and cannot now be relieved for some weeks and have got to submit to decreased rations and increased shelling, but we still have enough to eat, though luxuries are dear - eggs sell at 10/6d a dozen - potatoes 1/- the pound. We in the balloon section have neither, but we have a fair (14) stock of tinned things, and have quite good enough dinners to last another three weeks, and we now and then get a vegetable. A vegetable marrow costs 2/6, and a cucumber 2/-, but the horses are very badly off for forage. Most people are depressed, but I fell buoyant and think we are at any rate much better off then we were when we had no relieving column near us.

Saturday 23 December 1899
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

The Shops - Clothed in their festive
Clothed in their festive garb, the Dorking shop windows have this week been a veritable feast of good things, and the tradesmen have well deserved the high praise which has been bestowed upon their enterprise. The butchers and poulterers have made a particularly good display. Mr A. J. Fuller, in High-street (at the corner of Dene-street), has been showing a number of Scotch beasts direct from Aberdeen including a first and three second prize animals, Devons from the Duke of Norfolk, and sheep from Colonel Calvert’s and Admiral Sir Leopold Heath’s. - - - -

Saturday 23 December 1899
Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express

Ladysmith to Fort-George
Major Heath, at Ladysmith, heliographed on Wednesday morning a message to his wife, who is at present staying in Flemington House, Gollanfield, Fort-George - "All's well."

The message was received at Fort-George on Wednesday night, an instance of the prompt forwarding of news.

Diary Letters of Captain Gerard Moore Heath R.E. from Ladysmith, South Africa.

Monday 25 December 1899, Christmas Day
And the hottest I have known. The Commissariat saved up materials for plum duff, and we all enjoyed ourselves. A Christmas tree and dance were got up for the women and children, who are here, it is the children that suffer, poor little things, there is no proper food to be got for them, no milk, and that sort of think.

Christmas dinners were interlarded with Boer shells, but very few of them and none near my camp. There came a message from the Queen, - God bless her, - which we read on parade and cheered.

I sent a heliogram of Christmas greetings to you yesterday, "A jolly well Merry Christmas." There are great speculations as to when we are to be relieved, we have food rations till February 10th, and must then eat the horses, but I don't think it will take so long as that, 10th or 12th of January, I say.

1900

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