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59
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.
In spite of all the failures and opposition on the part of the friends
of Gas, this will be undoubtedly the light of the future, but so long as
the Electric Lighting Act, 1882, remains in its present form it is not
likely to make much progress. In my opinion, the terms imposed by
that Act are unreasonable, and calculated to stop all enterprise with
regard to this particular matter, and I have no doubt but that some
amendment will be made in it before long.
In districts in which the flow of the sewers will permit, I see no
reason why it should not be utilised to the production of Electricity by
means of water wheels. In the case of our St. Paul's Road sewer, we
have a clear drop of 20-feet to the main, which would be sufficient to
give motive power enough to light a considerable area. Electricity
would be stored in accumulators by day and utilised for light at night.
I think the Vestry should give every facility for blocks of shops
being lighted by Electricity, as it is only by such private enterprise that
improvements and progress in Electrical apparatus are likely to
be made.
In a report I made to -the Special Committee, I dealt at some
length upon the measurement of Electric currents, and the terms of
the Provisional Order which was proposed to be made under the Act.
METROPOLITAN AND SOUTHEND RAILWAY
(EXTENSION.)
The projected Metropolitan and Southend Extension Railway along
the Mile End Road rightly called the inhabitants to arms against the
measure, and should the application to Parliament be renewed in the
next Session, the same opposition should be again organised.
Could the railway be constructed without causing damage to the
inhabitants on either side but, few would probably object to it, but after
the experience obtained in Whitechapel 1 am sure there would be but
few votes in its favour.
UNPAVED CARRIAGEWAYS,
The following list will shew the quantity of material used on each
of the roads in the district repaired during the year :—
Gravel
yds.
Granite
yds.
Flint
yds.
Gravel
yds.
Granite
yds.
Flint
yds.
Alias-road
9
0
0
Bridge-street
2
0
42
Allars-road
3
0
0
Brunswick-place
1
4
0
Alma-road
1
0
0
Buckeridge-street.
1
0
0
Albert-square
10
0
0
Bond-street
½
0
0
Antill-terrace
1
0
1
Bow Common-lanf
63½
285½
0
Arbor-square
15
31
0
Burdett-road
1½
5
0
Argyle road
6
0
67
Carlton-road
0
22
0
Baker-street
½
0
0
Carlton-square
9
0
0
Baggally-street
12
29
0
Canal-road
13
37
0
Bancroft-road
19
95
1
Colmar-street
4
0
43
Beaumont-square.
3
0
0
Cleveland-street
1½
0
0
Beale-street
2
0
12
Clark-street
11
0
53
Bedford-square
7
0
10
Canal-road
13
37
0
Bedford-street
20
123
0
Commercial-road
23
0
0
Ben Jonson-road
½
0
0
Cottage-grove
8
0
11
Bloomfield-road
14
6
144
Charles-street
37
56
0