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72
occupation; even the better class of shops were drained into cesspools,
and water-closets were things unknown in the parish.
The records of the first year's work of the Vestry appear to
have been indifferently kept, but I find by the Minute Book, that
10 lamp posts were fixed.
3500 yards of flint were used in repairs.
2500 tons of granite.
2000 feet of kerb were laid.
2 water carts were purchased.
The Surveyor was directed to report upon the drainage of the
Hamlet.
5 stand posts were erected.
Paving works were executed in Mile End Road, Oxford Street,
Green Street, and Jubilee Street.
The drainage of Charles Street, Ann Street, James Street,
Essex Street, North Place, North Street, John Street, York Place,
and other places.
Skidmore Street and Cannon Place were made up.
50 new gullies were put down.
No less a sum than £22,000 worth of sewers' work was found
to be necessary.
In 1857 the paving of the footpaths in the Mile End Road was
commenced, and throughout the more frequented portion, new
paving of greater width than had previously existed was laid, in
this work the Vestry expended £1,600.
Although the Mile End Road, from its being the great
thoroughfare of the Hamlet, was deemed entitled to priority in the
intended paving operations of the Vestry, the other parts of their
district were not neglected, and £5000 were borrowed on mortgage
of the rates for this purpose.
68,404 feet of new paving; 19,937 feet of new kerb; 39,510 feet
of old paving were laid or re-laid.
One of the most important improvements executed during this
year was the making of Grove Road into a public thoroughfare.
This road, though an important thoroughfare, continued for many
years in a very bad and almost impassable state. This arose from
the fact that it had never been adopted by the Parochial Authorities,
and retained the character of a private road. The Vestry obtained
the dedication of this road by the various owners, and a contribution
of £100 was received from them towards the cost of making
up the road and kerbing the footpaths.