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184
Questions have arisen from time to time with regard to the Council's jurisdiction
over the rivers Wandle and Graveney. The Metropolis Management Act, 1855,
describes the stream or streams as commencing at a point where the parishes of
Streatham and Tooting intersect the river to the point where the river Wandle
discharges into the river Thames at Wandsworth. No such point as that mentioned
in the Act exists, but there was evidence to show that the river Graveney was formerly
known as the Wandle or Wandle Branch, and there is a point on the Graveney where
the above-mentioned parishes meet. The Council has exercised jurisdiction over
the river Graveney from Hermitage Bridge, Streatham, to its confluence with the
river Wandle and thence over the river Wandle to the point of discharge into the
river Thames. Contrary opinions as to the Council's jurisdiction were held by
other authorities interested in these rivers, and the Council decided to apply to
Parliament for a definition of the sewer in order to remove any doubts upon the
matter.
The erection of the new building for the Daily Sketch in Gray's Inn Road and
Gough Street necessitated works of repair which are being carried out to the main
sewer in the latter thoroughfare. The cost of the works, estimated at £2,000, will
be refunded to the Council by the owners of the building.
In consequence of the increasing weight of traffic passing along Victoria Street,
the arch which carries the King's Scholars' Pond sewer over the Metropolitan District
required to be strengthened. Advantage was taken of the opportunity afforded
by repairs which were in progress to the roadway in Victoria Street to carry out
further strengthening works to the sewer under that thoroughfare.
North
Woolwich
rising main.
In August, 1919, a burst occurred in the rising main from North Woolwich
pumping station to the Northern outfall and flooded a shed in which was stored
a quantity of wool belonging to the Ministry of Munitions. The loss was valued
by the Disposal and Liquidation Commission at £3,110 15s. 1d. Liability was
denied on the part of the Council and legal proceedings were commenced in the High
Court. After negotiations, the case was settled by payment of £1,000 by the Council,
each party bearing its own costs.
Flood relief
works.
The Council on 22nd July, 1919, had before it a comprehensive scheme of works
to mitigate floodings in various parts of London on both sides of the river Thames
during time of heavy rainfall. The scheme, which is described in the Annual
Report for 1920 (vol. III., p. 121), specified seventeen works and the total estimated
cost, based on pre-war conditions, was £2,467,150.
The first work undertaken was the construction of the north-eastern storm
relief sewer from Kelvin-road, Highbury, to the Thames at Shadwell, which was
commenced in 1921.
In order to provide additional employment the Council on various dates subsequently
decided to accelerate the work on other portions of the 1919 scheme,
particularly those which would provide work suitable for unskilled or partly skilled
labour. The works selected were the improvement of the river Graveney, the
Wandle Valley sewer, the Charlton storm relief sewer, flood relief works at Hammersmith,
the enlargement of the Isle of Dogs and Abbey Mills pumping stations, the
construction of the south-western storm relief sewer, and of storm relief sewers in
Lewisham and Woolwich, and of the north-western storm relief sewer, and the
installation of additional machinery at Shad Thames pumping station. All
these works have been approved for grant by the Unemployment Grants
Committee.
During the year the Council decided to proceed with the construction of the
Beverley Brook relief culvert; this work not ranking for Government grant.
Of the 17 specified works included in the scheme of 1919, 12 have been
completed or are in hand. The estimated final cost shows an increase of about 75
per cent. on pre-war figures.