kirkcudbright-1914/01-008

Transcription

vi HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION.

Besides the completion of the Inventory of monuments in the
Stewartry, the survey of monuments in the County of Dumfries
was undertaken during the summer of 1912 and finished in the
spring of 1913. Considerable progress has also been made with the
ilustrated re-issue of the Inventory for Berwickshire, which is now
going through the press.
The survey of East Lothian has been completed this summer, and
the survey of the prehistoric monuments in Midlothian has also been
carried through.
The Commissioners have pleasure in reporting again that through-
out the districts visited, proprietors of estates and their tenants
readily afforded facilities for the inspection of monuments situated
on their lands, while considerable assistance has been rendered by
the parish ministers, as well as by other residents with special local
knowledge and interest in the work. Your Commissioners further
acknowledge their indebtedness to the Society of Antiquaries of
Scotland for placing at their disposal a number of illustrations, and
for the facilities afforded in the use of their library. They desire
also to recognise the help received from Dr Joseph Anderson, late
Assistant Secretary of that Society, whose deep learning on all
archaeological matters has been constantly at their service; from
Mr Rae Macdonald, Albany Herald, for assisting in the blazonry of
arms, also from Mr James Hewat Craw, West Foulden, Berwick-on-
Tweed, who has surveyed and planned every know defensive con-
struction in Berwickshire and placed the entire results of his work
at the disposal of the Commission. Your Commissioners likewise
desire to express their thanks to Mr F. C. Eeles, who has kindly
assisted the Commission in cases in which his special knowledge has
been helpful.
Your Commissioners note with satisfaction the passing of the
Act which, in amending the existing Ancient Monuments Acts, gives
the State greater powers of acquisition and control over ancient and
historical monuments; whereby they hope that many prehistoric as
well as historic remains scheduled in these Reports as specially in
need of protection may be preserved.
From time to time your Commissioners continue to have their
attention drawn to threatened interference with ancient structures;
or their advice is sought in regard to contemplated alterations; and
though such work does not actually fall within the scope of the
Commission, they have felt it desirable in the public interest to
render assistance where possible.
Your Commissioners again note with pleasure and increasing
desire on the part of proprietors owning monuments of historical or
antiquarian interest to place them under the care of your Majesty's
Office of Works, and they feel assured that the appointment of the
Commission, and the interest it is stimulating throughout the country,
have tended not a little to this development.
Since our last report Mr Curle has resigned the Office of
Secretary, on his appointment as Director of the National Museum of
Antiquities. In accepting Mr Curle's resignation to Commissioners
desire to place on record their high appreciation of the exceptionally
valuable services rendered by him throughout the five years he has
discharged the office of Secretary with untiring diligence and fidelity;