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piece of land for the public use, before every open space in
the locality was enclosed and built upon. So long ago as the
year 1878 a Committee of the Vestry was appointed, on the
motion of Mr. G. E. Dodson, to consider the subject, and at
one time it seemed likely that that Committee would be able
to secure a plot of about six acres near the Maple Road ; but
although earnest endeavours were made to induce the freeholder
to sell the land at a price which seemed reasonable to
the Committee, these efforts were unsuccessful. The Committee
of 1878 having failed to secure the land near Maple
Road, attempted to open negotiations with the Managers of
the Anerley Industrial Schools, with a view to the purchase
of a portion of their extensive grounds. In this, however,
they were met with an absolute refusal, and it was not until
the autumn of 1885, when Mr. Dodson re-introduced the
subject to the Vestry, that the question of a Recreation
Ground again came prominently before the public. The
result of that action was the appointment, in March, 1886,
of a Committee of the Vestry for considering the means of
securing a suitable Public Space within the Hamlet. Several
plots of laud were then brought before the notice of the
Committee, and a second unsuccessful attempt was made to
induce the Managers of the Anerley Schools to meet the
views of the inhabitants.
In the following June, Mr. Bryce Grant called the
attention of the Committee to a plot of land lying nearly
opposite St. John's Church, and stated that the Tradesmen
of Beckenhain Road, at a meeting, had pronounced in favour
of an attempt being made to secure that plot. Accordingly
the site was viewed by the Committee, and at a special
meeting of the Vestry held in July, 1886, it was moved by
Mr. Dodson, and seconded by Mr. Grant, "That it was
desirable to purchase the piece of land near St. John s Church
for a Public Open Space." At the same meeting it was
moved by Mr. T. Blake, and seconded by Mr. Evers Dear,
" That application be made to the Lewisham Board ot W orks
for their consent to the appropriation of the Gravel Allotment