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214
YORK V. ARTIFICIAL STONE.
On the 10th December, 1890, I was instructed to report on the above matter
and on 15th January I presented the following report on their respective merit
as paving for footways:—
New Streets Surveyor's Department,
Town Hall, Walham Green, S.W.
15th January, 1891.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,
In accordance with your instructions of the 10th December, 1890, with
reference to the use of Artificial Stones in lieu of York, I beg to present the
following report thereon:—
The circumstances which have led the Committee to consider this question
have doubtless been to see how far economy and durability is consistent with
the use of Artificial Stone as compared with that of York.
I regret to say that the increase in the cost of materials and labour during
the last twelve months have of necessity caused me to increase the cost per foot
frontage for the paving of these streets, which no doubt does operate with great
hardship upon the owners of property abutting thereon. I have no hesitation
in saying that the Yestry adopts the best and most durable materials in making
up these streets, and having regard to the fact, that after having been paved
under compulsory powers, they have to be maintained in perpetuity out of the
pockets of the Ratepayers, I cannot recommend any alteration in the material
to be used, which at the outset may appear cheaper, but which ultimately may
give results inferior to the material which is now in use.
The materials generally accepted for paving footways may be classed under
three heads,
Firstly.—York Paving.
Secondly.—Artificial Stone.
Thirdly.—Paving laid in situ.
YORK STONE.
York Stone, as a material for paving footways, has the advantage of having
been used almost exclusively as a paving material prior to the introduction of
Artificial Stone, and during which time gained such favour as a material so
particularly adapted for this purpose, that Parochial and Corporate bodies have
been very wary to discard it in preference to Artificial Stone, or stone of which
they have had little practical experience.
The present time is a most advantageous one for Fulham to consider this
matter, for we shall have the benefit of the experience of parishes who have been
more adventurous than we have, in adopting this stone some eighteen to twenty
years ago.
York Stone is a sand-stone, composed chiefly of silica, which is almost and
imperishable substance, cemented together by a matrix of lime, clay, or other
material, and its durability depends on the nature of the matrix which binds
these grains into one solid mass. There are two classes of York Stone, viz., the
thick and thin lifts, or self-bedded and riving stone; the former, which is a
laminated stone, is divided by thin layers of mica, and is easily riven into slabs,
which are known as self-faced slabs.