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This shows 6*55 inclics more rain and 22 more rainy or snowy
days than the previous year. There was a moderate amount of
snow during the winter as compared with the last few years,
although the frosts last winter were very severe, and a large amount
of additional labour was required on the roads and footpaths in
spreading sand, ashes, grit, &c. A smaller quantity of road material
was used during the year than has been used for many years. This,
together with the fact that the year before last, on account of the
long continuance of frost, the usual quantity of material could not
be spread upon the roads within the year, has caused some of the
roads and footpaths to get out of repair, but with more material
and a favourable winter I hope to put this right.
During the year 1548 cubic yards of grit, sand, ashes, burnt
ballast, &c., were spread upon the roads and footpaths during
frosty weather.
A portion of the boundary walls was built and gates erected
during the year at the Molesworth Street Depot. It is intended
soon to build a cottage, cart sheds, &c , and eventually, I have no
doubt, the Depot will be a complete and very useful one. In so
large an area as the Lewisham District it is necessary to have
several yards or depots for the storage of material. Independently
of the ground at Molesworth Street there are depots at Forest Hill
and Penge, the property of the Board; one near Lower Sydenham
Railway Station, which is rented from the Crystal Palace
District Gas Company; also the use of a piece of ground
just outside the Company's "Works, which is rented, and where the
Tar Paving is made for use in the Parish of Lewisham. The
Board also rent a small piece of ground in Wells and Ewart Roads.
In addition to these a portion of a wharf on Deptford Creek is
rented from Mr. Hart, where a large quantity of material for the
roads is annually landed. It will be seen that, at the present time,
the Board is fairly well situated with regard to depots, but as
the District fills up it may be necessary to add to the number.
ROAD WATERING.
Mr. W. Joy supplied horses, harness and drivers, for Watering
in the Blackheath Division, at 9s. per day; in the Lewisham
Division the Board's horses and men were chiefly employed, and
additional horses hired, when required, from Mr. G. Sabin, at
8s. (.)d. per day.