London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Lewisham 1899
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham]
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The Board of works for the Lewisham District.
SURVEYOR'S REPORT
On Work executed from Lady-day, 1899, to Lady-day, 1900.
Gentlemen,
It is with much pleasure I submit this, my Thirty-first
Annual Report, on the several works executed and the general
business transacted in my department during the past financial
year.
HIGHWAYS.
The following Table gives the quantity of Material used for the maintenance and repair of the roads and footpaths in the District that are maintained by the Board :—
| Division. | Guernsey Granite. | Port Philip. | Quartrite. | Dug Flints. | Gravel. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cubic yds | Cubic yds. | Cubic yds. | Cubio yds. | Cubic yds. | Cubic yds. | |
| Blackheath, | 3469 | 93 | 546 | 990 | 705 | 5803 |
| Lewisham, | ||||||
| Brockley, &c. |
During the winter months there were many short sharp frosts
that were very destructive to the roads. Snow fell on four
occasions sufficiently heavy to necessitate the employment of a
large number of the unemployed in addition to the regular men
in the Board's employ. 1,267 loads of snow were carted away to
the shoots, and 223 loads of grit were spread on the roads and
footpaths during the frosty weather. The rainfall was not excessive
during the year.
The traffic in the District, particularly in the High-street,
Lewisham, continues to increase, and in places it is now getting
too much for a Macadam road. I do not doubt it would be more
economical to pave the High-street, Lewisham, with granite sets
or wood blocks, and do away with the present Macadam.