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2
This shews an increase of 4.35 inches over the rainfall of last
year, although rain fell on 9 days less than last year.
The rainfall was not excessive, but on account of the long
continuance of frost, with snow, rain, and thaws intervening,
the year was by no means a good one for the maintenance of roads.
From the commencement of January to the middle of March there
was almost continuous frost, and during this period it froze for
upwards of sixty nights. The records of the London Skating Club
show that there was skating on the Club waters in Regent's Park
on 38 days during the winter. The roads in many places, from
continual frost, &c., technically speaking, became rotten, but notwithstanding
this they have been maintained during the year
with a less quantity of material than last year, and are at the
present time in good condition.
The snow gave a large amount of additional work in sweeping
paths, &c. The heaviest fall took place upon the 6th of
January. There were also heavy storms upon the 11th, 23rd, and
25th January. Upon the three last-mentioned dates the following
lengths of paths were cleared in each case between the hours of
seven a.m. and seven p.m.:—
MILES.
Blackheath and Lewisham 19¾
Sydenham and Forest Hill 35
Penge 12½
Miles 67¼
Portions of the gutters and the gullies were cleared in addition
to this. The roads and paths were also sanded or ashes
laid on during the frosts, which caused a good deal of extra work.
In fact it happened more than once that sand or ashes laid on the
roads at seven o'clock in the morning had to be removed before
night, owing to a thaw, and put 011 again the next morning. The
cost of removing snow from the paths, &c., during the winter, was—
£ s. d.
Blackheath and Lewisham 114 6 9
Sydenham and Forest Hill 194 16 11
Penge 70 3 4
£379 7 0
The difficulty of obtaining shoots for slop of road detritus has
not been overcome, and in many cases the slop has to be taken
some distance to get rid of it.