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Rain or snow fell on the panic number of days this year as
last, but there were 2.30 inches more rain last year than this.
Although the rainfall was less than last year, a great deal I
of damage was done to the roads on account of the many changes
from frost to thaw, and again from thaw to frost, Owing to
the deficient rainfall during the hot weather the roads broke up in
places through being so dry. The year, therefore, on the whole,
was not a favourable one for the maintenance of roads.
It has been my practice hitherto in my annual reports to give
the quantity of material paid for during the year, but this year I
have shown in the table the quantity actually used, which I think
better. The road from the boundary next Greenwich to Rushey
Green, Catford, was re-coated with granite; this took a good deal
of material, which in the ordinary course would have been spread
over two or more years, but I had delayed repairing this road as
long as possible, as the Tramway Company was expected to break
it up.
The snowstorms during the winter were not heavy, but still
gave some trouble. During the year there were 783 loads of
dust, ashes, sand, &c., spread on the roads and paths where made
dangerous by frost. The roads at present are in a satisfactory
condition.
ROAD WATERING.
The work of watering the roads in the Blackheath and Lewisham
Division was done by our own horses and men, assisted by
horses and men supplied by Mr. Pickcrnell, at a contract pricc of
8s. per horse, harness, and driver per day.
At Upper Sydenham and Forest Hill the horses and drivers
were supplied under contract by Mr. C. Pcarce, at 7s. 9d. per
horse, harness, and man per day.
The horses and men at Lower Sydenham were supplied by
Mr. W. Stimpson, at a contract price of 7s. 8d. per horse, harness,
and man.
In the Hamlet of Penge Mr. J. Craker supplied the necessary
horses and drivers at 7s. 3d. per horse, harness, and man.
The Board supplied all the vans and carts.
The mileage of the roads watered, &c., is given in the following
Table:-