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36
ments
continued.
l88l —
The total cost to the Hamlet, including the cost incurred
before the Committee of the House of Commons, was under £400.
The improvement of the bridge rendered it necessary for
the roadway and footpaths to be altered and renewed, and this
was accordingly done at a cost of £592, to which the Vestry of
Bethnal Green are to contribute one half.
Morpeth
street
railway
bridge.
In this Session the Vestry opposed two of the proposed
provisions of the Great Eastern Railway Bill introduced into
Parliament, viz.: [1] That which empowered the Company to
continue the line at Loughton through the Forest. [2] That
which enabled them to widen the existing line in the Hamlet
without providing for the alteration of the Bridge at Morpeth
Street. The Company, in the face of the opposition which was
exhibited to provision No. 1, withdrew it altogether; and with
regard to provision No. 2, they agreed to adopt the principle which
had been approved by the Committee of the House of Commons
in the case of the Grove Road Bridge, that is to say—
"That upon the Vestry contributing toward the extra
"cost of the alteration, not exceeding in any event £1000,
"the Company should make the alterations in the way
"desired by the Vestry."
Open
spaces.
The Vestry have always taken considerable interest on the
subject of the preservation of open spaces.
1856—
A deputation was, in 1856, formed to join in a movement
for the preservation of Hampstead Heath.
1857—
In 1857, a Special Committee was appointed to take into
consideration all matters connected with parks and open spaces.
1871—
In 1871, the Metropolitan Board of Works was requested
to take the subject of Stepney Green in hand, the Vestry having
ascertained that the Lord of the Manor was willing to come to
terms, so as to preserve the space to the public.
The Metropolitan Board of Works did as requested, and
agreed to enclose Stepney Green on certain terms.
Negociations were entered into, and a license of the Lord of
Manor to use waste on Stepney Green was received on August 16th.
The Metropolitan Board then proceeded to enclose it, and lay out
the reclaimed space, and on August 10th, 1873, the Vestry having
entered into the necessary covenants as to repair, maintenance, &c.,
the Metropolitan Board of Works formally handed it over to the
Vestry to be kept for the use of the public for all time.