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55
High Holborn.
For some years past it has been suggested from time
to time to the Board, the desirability of forming a new
underground place of convenience for the use of men and
women in High Holborn, near to the junction with Little
Turnstile, and in December last a resolution to construct
one at that spot was come to by the Board. Numerous
sketches of alternative schemes were prepared by your
Engineer, and considered by your "Works Committee, who
recommended the adoption of a design which provided for
the erection of 14 water closets, 16 urinals and three
lavatories for men, and nine water closets and three
lavatories for women, at an estimated cost of £3,671.
This was approved by the Board. The necessary contract
drawings and specification were then prepared by your
Engineer, and a contract let by public competition on the
9th day of February, 1897, to Messrs. C. W. Killingback
and Co., to construct the same for £3,697. The work was
commenced on the 22nd February last. The work was
considerably delayed soon after its commencement by
reason of the old cast-iron pneumatic tube, which was
constructed some 30 years ago as a means of communication
for letters and post office parcels between St. Martin's-le-.
Grand and Euston Station, but had been abandoned for
many years. Negociations with the parties who claimed
to have interest in the said tube, and the subsequent
demolition of the tube caused a virtual stoppage of the
work for several weeks; but they are now proceeding
with fair despatch, and will, I hope, be completed in about
two to three months.