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“There has been much discussion as to the healthiness of wood
“paving and with a view to obtain more information on this subject, I
“obtained fair average samples from four different streets, and submitted
“them to Dr. Sedgwick Saunders, the Medical Officer and Public
“Analyst for the City of London, for analysis and report. He was
“good enough to undertake this, and his report is as follows:—
“I have examined four samples of wooden pavement blocks marked
“respectively 1, 2, 3 and 4, sent by Mr. Deputy Edmeston, of 42, Old
“Broad Street, on the 17th July. The blocks were saturated with
“organic matter, chiefly urine and horse dung, especially the upper
“portions, some were dry and decayed, others wet. Some of the
“pieces presented appearances produced by growth of certain fungi.
“On two pieces, “mould “was plainly visible; indeed, any wood more
“or less soaked in street refuse must inevitably contain fungus spores.“
He goes on to say that “the blocks should be well impregnated with tar
or chloride of mercury or creosote,” in order to avoid the evils he has
pointed out.
Harwood Road Wood Paving.
On the 16th March, 1892, I reported that if Harwood Road was laid
with creosoted deal blocks, a saving of £113 4s. 8d. a year would be
effected on the cost of the wood paving alone. Also the road would not be
disturbed for 10 years, instead of 6½, and repairs would not be required for
at least 7 years, instead of at the end of 4 or 5.
In addition to that, the road would always be drier and in better
condition; and give off less slop, so that an additional economy would be
effected in that respect.
The area is 5,650 square yards, which at 12s. for creosoted wood
blocks= £3,390 or an annual expenditure of £407 12s. 2d. at 3½ per cent.
5,650 square yards plain deal, at 10s. 6d. =£2,960, or an annual expenditure
of £520 16s. l0d. at 3½ per cent.
A number of blocks were used during the year for repairs to trenches,
and to the Fulham Road already referred to as in a bad condition.
STREETS.
A list of the streets of the Parish with the lengths of carriageways and
footways, and the particulars and average depths of sewers will be found in
Schedule II., at the end of the report.
A summary of the lengths of the streets is given below:—