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The Districts of Plumstead and Lewisham are (sect. 46) united
for the purpose of electing a member of the Metropolitan Board of
Works, as the Representative of the two Districts,; and at the
meeting of the two Boards, held (on the 12th December, 1855) for
the purpose of electing such member, Mr. Charles Atkins was appointed.
There have been five vacancies in the Board during the year.
Mr. Eagleton having become disqualified by his acceptance of the
office of Treasurer of the Board, was on the 5th February succeeded
by Mr. De la Salle. The vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr.
Chaundy was on the 8th April supplied by Mr. Groves ; and the
vacancies occasioned by the resignations of Mr. Maugham and Mr.
Puzey, were supplied by the appointment of Mr. James Daikers and
Mr. Ebenezer Pritchard, on the 16th October; and that of Mr.
Sewell by the appointment of Mr. Joseph Dale, on December 13.
The jurisdiction of the Board may be comprised under three
general heads:—
1. The repair and general management of the public highways
in the district, including generally all the powers vested in
Surveyors of Highways under the Highway Act (5 and 6
Wm., c. 50), and many special powers conferred by the Act;
such for instance as that (under sect. 106) for adopting any
private roads as public roads; for watering (sect. 116); and
lighting (sect. 130) such roads; and maintaining a regular
line of building in all streets (143).
2. The drainage of the district, both land or surface drainage,
and drainage for sewerage purposes. The Act vests in the
Board all sewers and drains in the district, whether constructed
at the public expence or by private individuals, except
only the main sewers. And the Board are charged
with the construction (subject to the approval of the Metropolitan
Board) of all future sewers ; and with the supervision
of all house drains to be connected with any sewers;
and no sewers can bo constructed by any private individual
except with the sanction of the Board.
They are empowered to compel the drainage, of any premises
within one hundred feet of any sewer; and on default of
the owner, after due notice, to execute the necessary works
at his expense. They are also required to be satisfied before
any new house is begun to be built that it is in a position
capable of drainage; and for this purpose the Act requires
(sect. 76), that seven days' notice shall be given to the Board
before beginning to lay or dig out the foundation of any new
house or building within the district, or to rebuild any house
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