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129
STABLES
On the 2nd of May, 1888, the Vestry finally adopted plans for stables
for 44 horses with loft over centre portion, dwelling house, 4 loose
boxes, and for the conversion of some of the arches into store rooms
mess room, wheelwrights shop, blacksmiths shops, &c.
On the 19th of September, the tender of Messrs A. R. Flew and Co
amounting to £5,158 was accepted for the work. The foundation stone
was laid on the 1st of January, 1889, by Mr. C. A. Walter, Chairman of
the Cartage Committee.
During the progress of the work the owners of Laurel Bank
commenced proceedings against the Vestry, with a view to compel their
adhesion to some old covenant which would have prevented the erection
of the stables where intended, and the Vestry was obliged to settle the
matter by the payment of £125 and £14 14s. Od. costs.
MORTUARY.
The Vestry having finally decided to build a one-story building for a
Mortuary and Coroner's Court, I prepared plans accordingly and on the
17th October, 1888, the tender of Mr. R. Cox, amounting to £1193, was
accepted subject to some further deductions being made which reduced
the amount of the tender to £975. Some slight further delay took
place before the land came into the possession of the Vestry, but the
work is now progressing.
WHARF.
old toll house site.
In June, 1888, the Thames Conservators sanctioned an extension of
the site about 40.0 further into the river and increasing the area nearly
600 sq. yards. For this the Vestry had to pay the Conservators a fee
or fine of £9 2s. Od. A fence having been erected around the site of
the wharf by the Vestry, was pulled down by the instructions of Mr.
Bowden,the owner of the adjoining wharf. From this an action arose which
gave a vast deal of trouble and led to the making of numbers of plans
and affidavits. The action was however finally compromised by the Vestry
conceding a better approach to Mr. Bowden, each party paying their
own costs.
Plans for a river wall, &c., to the wharf are now in progress.
WATERFORD ROAD IMPROVEMENT.
This improvement, by which the corner of the Waterford and Broxholme
Road has been set back, enabling the corner to be rounded and
throwing 120 square yards into the road and footways, has been completed.
My estimate of the net cost was £3,150, the actual cost has been
£4,202 lis. 7d. Rents received amount to £59 5s. 8d. net. The
surplus land sold for £795 14s. 8d., the old materials for net £77 2s. 1d.
timber for shoring £20 9s. 2d., leaving the net cost £3250.
BISHOP'S MEADOW.
This matter, for which I first made plans in May, 1887, has not progressed
much. The line of frontage has been settled with the Thames
Conservators and my plans approved by them, also by the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners.