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over so great an area, there can be little surprise that the flood
was so high.
The County Bridge in Southend Lane, the Bridge at Stonebridge
Villas, Lewisham, and the Bridge in Eastdown Park were
destroyed.
The Lewisham Board, in May following (Min., page 135), determined,
conjointly with the Plumstead Board, to re-build the Bridge
in Eastdown Park; but the Plumstead Board raised the question of
the liability of the owners of the adjoining land to re-construct
the Bridge, and the matter was delayed, and, in consequence, great
inconvenience was felt by the inhabitants of Eastdown Park. The
Plumstead Board, after some pressure, consented to pay half the
cost of a temporary Bridge, which was at once erected by the
Lewisham Board (Min., page 300, par. 6-2).
The Bridge in Beckenham Lane has been re-constructed by
the County, and also the Bridge near Stonebridge Villas at private
cost.
In a Report of this nature I cannot minutely describe the
damage done by this flood, but a great deal was done by the River
Qaaggy, which simply overflowed its banks at several points,
especially at Eltham Bridge, and ran down the Lee Road in a
torrent.
The River Ravensbourne also flooded the lower parts of
Lewisham and other places. The District was also visited by a
severe storm on Sunday, the 23rd June. The inhabitants of
Penge suffered the most, some of the basements of the houses in
the Beckenham Road were flooded to the extent of five or six feet
(Min., page 208, par. 8). I am glad to say the Metropolitan
Board have in contemplation the construction of a new sewer from
Lee Bridge to Deptford. This cannot fail to do good, and I hope
to see the work carried out soon.
The Public Recreation Ground at Sydenham was opened with
great eclat, upon Saturday, the 1st of June. On account of the
wet season a push had to be made to complete the work of laying
out, draining, planting, &c., which, I am glad to say, was successfully
accomplished before the time of opening. A platform, with
enclosures, was erected on the ground, and many hundreds of flags
hung. The day turned out one of the few fine ones of the year,
and the whole affair, I think I may venture to say, was a great