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near the Forest Hill Station, and in both cases at the expence
of the owners of the adjoining ground. A further portion (230 feet),
of the ditch in Lewisham Village has also been covered in, thus
completing the work throughout the Village from the Church to
the Bridge. The ditch and ponds in front of the late Mr. Stainton's
premises have also been covered in and partially filled up at the
expence of the Trustees; and it has been proposed to cover the
remaining length from the Church to the Workhouse, but the proposition
was negatived on a motion for adjournment of the question
for six months. The Board have also, for the purpose of widening
the road, been in negociation (which is still pending), for the
purchase of a slip of ground opposite Hill House, Forest Hill. And
they have consented to an application from the Deptford Burial
Board, for improving the approach to the Cemetery of that Parish,
by giving up a piece of waste ground in Ivy Lane, and taking in
exchange a piece of ground to be thrown into the road at the
entrance to the Cemeterv; such alteration to be effected at the cost
of the Deptford Burial Board. Extensive repairs, amounting almost
to its formation, have also been made to the road called Common
Lane, leading from Deptford to Brockley, and minor improvements
have been made in altering the boundary fences of the road
at Southend, and between the Black Horse Inn and Sangley Farm
House, in both cases at the expence of the owner of the adjoining
property. Paved crossings have also been laid in Blackheath
Village; and in this category may be placed the abatement of the
nuisance arising from the dripping of water through the Railway
Bridges at Loampit Vale, Forest Hill, and Penge, which, in the
latter instances, was with great difficulty wrung from the Company.
A serious question has arisen on the construction of sewers, as to
the cost of reinstating the roads, which in London is done by the
contractors; but the roads are so made there as to be almost
unaffected, except to the width of the cutting made for the sewer,
whereas a deep cutting in the half-formed parish roads of this semirural
district destroys the whole surface, or "crust," of the road,
and the rights of the Board and Contractor under such circumstances
have been viewed very variously. As regards the sewer in Stanstead
Lane, although it was completed in November, 1856, the Board
were not satisfied that the road had been properly re-made for
several months afterwards, and after several references to the
Surveyor, the subject was in April (1857), referred to the General
Purposes Committee, and ultimately, in May, a Committee of the
whole Board took up the question, and a minute inspection of the
road was made by them, when it became manifest that the Contractor
had incurred a very heavy expence in repairs to the road
beyond what could have been anticipated, and what could in fairness