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11
The Vestry have had again to make many complaints as to
the manner in which the several public companies have reinstated
the roads after openings have been made. The North Metropolitan
Tramway Co. have had to be served with a formal notice
as to the state of the part of the road which they are called on
by Act of Parliament to repair.
Repairs of
Roads by
Public
Companies.
The Vestry directed the Medical Officer to view Norfolk
House, Stepney Green, and see if same were not in a condition
to be reported on under the Artizans, &c., Aft, 1868; but it was
not found necessary to take such decided steps; and notices
were served under the Nuisances Removal Acts, which were
found sufficient to deal with the matter. The Vestry were compelled
to deal with Nos. 65 to 77, Sidney Street, under the
Artizans, &c., Act, but the works required will all be duly carried
out.
Artizans
and
Labourers'Dwell
ings Act,
1868.
The Vestry are pleased to be able to record that there have
not been any serious floodings during the year; and now that
the Metropolitan Board of Works are energetically pressing on
the construction of the overflow sewer, the Vestry sincerely hope
that this will be the last occasion when any reference to the
subject will be requisite.
Floodings.
As intimated in the last Report, the Vestry felt constrained, as
a matter of principle, to carry the case of Blackmore v. the
Vestry to the Court of Appeal, and they are sorry to report that
the Court decided against the Vestry's contention; and held
that the Vestry owned the iron flap, not as Surveyors of Highways,
but as the authority appointed to water the roads. As
pointed out before, the Vestry feel that the decision will give
rise to many fictitious claims, which it will be almost impossible
to disprove. Several have already been made against the Vestry,
but, on investigation, the Vestry determined to deny their
liability in all, except one, which arose from negligence of a
servant, and this the Vestry settled for a very small sum.
Blackmore
v.
the Vestry
The Vestry has, from time to time, had under its consideration
the question of increased means of communication over the
River Thames, east of London Bridge, and have by every means
endeavoured to assist in procuring the required accommodation.
The Board attended a large public meeting, held at the Mansion
House, and have addressed two urgent representations to the
Metropolitan Board of Works, on the necessity for that Board
taking immediate steps in the matter.
Communications
over
Thames
East of
London
Bridge.
The Vestry feel that the subject is now attracting far more
real attention than it has ever done before and they hope that
ere long the want will be at all events in part supplied.
The Vestry has paid considerable attention to the sewers and
drains and have eftedled some very important alterations.
Sanitary
Work.
The sewer in Frederick's place has been repaired. The drain
in Hawkins street has been altered. The sewer in Russell street
has been taken up and relaid and the sewer between Devonshire
street and Queen street has been altered at the joint expense of
this Hamlet and Bethnal Green.
A reference to the reports of the officers on this branch of the
subject will show that there have been a great many other
smaller but hardly less important matters dealt with.