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which, I think it right to inform you, there were several combining
circumstances occurred which somewhat enhanced the
cost of these repairs,—First, the severity of the late winter
(which for some years past was unexampled) through which
the roads and footways after being frost bound to a considerable
depth; on the occurrence of the thaw which followed,
caused them to become so much out of repair throughout the
entire Parish, that considerable additional reparation was
thereby rendered necessary, added to which, also consequent
upon the thaw, the almost universal bursting of the water
pipes, (and in many instances the gas pipes also) tended
materially to impair the condition of the roads. A second and
third cause also producing the above result, was the execution
of the Main Drainage "Works, and the Eailway Works, which
were then, and now are, going on in several parts of the
Parish ; these Public Works, although much ultimate advantage
may be expected therefrom, have caused an immense amount of
additional cartage over the roads under the control of the
Vestry, and has produced a large amount of wear and tear
thereon, more especially in localities where, under ordinary
circumstances, they are usually the least expensive to keep in
repair. The foregoing remarks I do not intend should lead
you to infer any great increase of expenditure beyond that
provided in the estimates, but rather to shew that but for such
unusual circumstances a balance in favor might have resulted.
However, notwithstanding which, I believe I may confidently
claim for this Parish, such a condition of its public thoroughfares,
as is satisfactory to the public at large.
NEW ROADS.
A length of about Six Hundred feet of New Eoad (being a
part of St. James Street, Hatcham) has by contribution, from