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and water mains. I think I may venture to say it has answered
admirably the purpose for which it was designed, for, although
we have had several very heavy rainfalls, no flooding of any
moment has occurred in the Beckenham Road, where on former
occasions, with the same amount of rain, the basements were
flooded to the extent of several feet. I was engaged for some
time in tracing a pollution of the River Ravensbourne, which
eventually proved to be accidentally caused by the Crystal Palace
District Gas Company. A very important return as to flooding in
the District was asked for by the London County Council, which
was of an intricate nature, and took me some time to fill up.
(Min., page 253, 14-8).
Several Road Improvements were carried out during the year,
the most extensive being widening the bridge carrying the London
Brighton and South Coust Railway over the public road near
Penge Station. It being necessary to reconstruct the bridge,
advantage was taken of it to make an arrangement with the
Railway Company to increase the width of the roadway from
35ft. to 45ft.
In carrying out the work it appeared to me that a still greater
improvement could be made by the Company giving up about
130 superficial yards of ground, to widen the road and footway
between the widened bridge and the junction of the Crystal Palace
Park Road. I saw the Engineer of the Company on the matter,
and the result was his Directors kindly gave up the requisite
ground, and a very complete improvement was made.
On the application of Mr. Willcock to rebuild Colfe's
Grammar School, an opportunity occurred to widen Camden
Road. I made a plan showing the fence of the road set back
to 20 feet from the centre of the road, and after some delay, the
Leatheredlers' Company having to obtain the consent of the
Charity Commissioners, the matter was arranged, and the work
is now being carried out.
On the rebuilding of the "Fox and Hounds," nigh Street,
Sydenham, a road improvement was carried out by widening
Wells Road. I prepared a plan showing the widening of this
road from the corner of High Street to Mr. Early's shop. An
agreement was entered into with Mr. Covel, the freeholder, to
give up the requisite ground on our setting back the old fence.