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21
time, it was with the greatest difficulty the Roads were kept
at all clear of mud. Smith's Patent Sweeping Machine came
into requisition, and the two the Board purchased last year
were of the greatest service. It may be well for me now to
state that the Scavenging resources of the Board arc insufficient.
We arc short of slop carts, and require at least
four more.
I hope next winter to coat some of the main thoroughfares
of the district with tougher material than flints, and
thereby save a good deal of slopping.
The Road rolled by the Steam Road Roller two years ago,
viz., from the three lamps, Lee Bridge, to Court Hill Road,
continues to stand well; there are a few holes that require
filling up with a small quantity of granite, and with the use of
a roller for a short time, the road would be good for another
year. In nothing that I am aware of is the old adage, "A
stitch in time saves nine," better exemplified than in road
maintenance. As soon as a hole is seen on the surface of a
road it ought to be stopped up, and the material rolled in.
During summer, without the aid of a roller, you cannot do
this, consequently roads arc left until winter to repair, and
at a greater cost than would be incurred if put in order as
soon as the defects show themselves. In this way alone a
Roller would effect a saving in material.
WATERING.
The greater portion of the Watering in Lewisham and
Blackheath Village was done by the Board's horses and men;
in Sydenham and Forest Hill at a contract price of 8s. 3d.
per horse and man; and in the Hamlet of Penge, 7s. per
horse and man.
The total cost of Watering in the Parish of Lewisham
during the year was £2,182 18s. 4d., and in the Hamlet of
Penge £611 12s. 6d. 20¾ miles of road were watered in
Lewisham, and 7½ miles in Penge.