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33
In 1874 the Vestry determined to discontinue the system of
contracting for paving works, and undertook the purchase of
materials and employment of masons and paviours for the execution
of these works. By the change, better and more uniform
quality of materials and workmanship has been obtained, and a
saving effected in cost. A large economy arises by the adaptation
of the old York flagging, which when taken up from a main
thoroughfare is at small cost rendered fit to relay in some less
important situation, and so save the cost of new stone. Tar
paving work is also done by men employed by the Vestry with
very satisfactory results, both as to quality, endurance and price.
When the Vestry came into operation there were a great
number of what were called undedicated roads in the Parish;
there was no difference between those which were dedicated and
those which were not, except that those interested either knew
better how to get the dedication effected or were more favoured
in their endeavours. The provisions of the Metropolis Management
Act set right much that was wrong in that matter. The
Vestry did fair justice by placing streets in which the circumstances
of comparison were similar, upon equal terms, and starting
the new operations without creating invidious differences of
treatment by starting a new line for the future, to be
uniformly applied, so that all future builders knew the liability
they would be under. Since 1861, as soon as the buildings in
new streets have been advanced so as to form a street under the
Act, upon application from the residents, the Vestry have taken
proceedings to bring such streets under charge, the first cost or
making up roads and paving footways being recovered From the
owners. There has been a large amount of this work done,
401 streets, with 47¾ miles of road and 95¼ miles of
footway paving, having been taken to. In the year 1865
the Turnpike Trusts in the Parish were abolished,
and 5½ miles of main lines of roadway came into chargc
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