wigtown-1912/02-006

Transcription

iv. HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION.

those worthy of preservation but not in imminent risk of demolition
or decay. The Inventory has been published by the Stationery
Office, and the similar volume for the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright
will follow when ready.

As in the other counties previously visited by the Commission,
proprietors of estates and their tenants have readily afforded facilities
to inspect the monuments situated on their lands, while considerable
assistance has been rendered by the parish ministers and school-
masters, as well as by other residents holding no official position.
Your Commissioners are again greatly indebted to the Society of
Antiquaries of Scotland for placing at their disposal a number of
illustrations of sculptured stones. We desire also to acknowledge
the help received from Dr Joseph Anderson, Assistant Secretary of
archaeological matters has been constantly at our service.

Your Commissioners desire again to draw attention to the damage
that is being done the prehistoric monuments, and more especially
cairns, by the removal of the stones of which they are composed for
road metal. Though these acts are deprecated by the proprietors
and the county authorities, their occurrence comes annually under
the notice of the Commission. The number of cairns in the County
of Wigtown now reduced almost to the foundation is very great. A
practice also to be deplored is that of utilising sites of monuments,
not under cultivation, for the disposal of pebbles and boulders
gathered from the fields, thus obliterating the features of the original
construction.

From time to time your Commissioners continue to have their
attention drawn to the threatened interference with ancient
structures, and our advice is sought in regard to contemplated
alterations; but though such work does not actually fall within the
scopep of the Commission, we have felt it desirable in the public
interest to render assistance where possible.

The survey of the ancient buildings within the City of Edinburgh
is being proceeded with, and a number of residents well versed in
classes of objects to be overtaken by the survey have agreed to
become members of the a committee formed to assist the Commission
with their expert knowledge.

As soon as the survey of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright has
been completed, it is intended to proceed with the Inventory for the
County of Dumfries.

Your Commissioners note with pleasure an 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 desirable end.

In conclusion, your Commissioners desire humbly to bring to
your Majesty's notice the nature and quality of the work undertaken
and most effectively transacted by Mr A. O. Curle, whereby their
own duties have been very materially lightened. Very far from
confining himself to the functions usually assigned to the Secretary
of a Commission, Mr Curle, ever since his appointment in 1908, has
devoted his whole time during more than half of each year to