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removed them from the thoroughfares. No damage occurred in
consequence of the storm having happened in the night, but if, the
storm had taken place in day time there is no doubt that most
serious accidents would have been caused.
in my report to the Board upon this subject I made certain
suggestions with a view to the prevention of accidents by the
breakage of overhead wires, and the same were communicated to
Sir Joseph Bazalgette, the engineer of the Metropolitan Board of
Works, as requested by him
SNOW STORMS.
Heavy falls of snow occurred on 26th December, 1886, and
14th and 15th March 1887.
A large number of extra men were employed in addition to the
Board's men for the purpose of removing the snow from the footways
and forming crossings and clearing the snow from the readways.
The snow was removed by the contractors of the Board under their
contract, a large additional number of carts, being engaged in the
work. The cost paid by the Board amounted to £60 16s 2d.
CONTROL OVER DEMOLITION OF OLD HOUSES.
A communication was received from the Metropolitan Board of
Works dated 16th March, 1886, referring to the fall of certain houses
in Holloway Road, and the recommendations of the Coroner's Jury
which enquired into the circumstances, namely, that the Metropolitan
Board should obtain Parliamentary powers giving the District
Surveyors control over the pulling down of old houses. The
Metropolitan Board asked to be furnished with particulars of instances
which might have occurred in the District within the last three years,
of danger arising from the demolition of buildings and suggested
that the demolition of building near public thoroughfares should be
carried out subject to Bye-laws to be appproved by the Home
Secretary, that the District Surveyor's expenses be charged
upon the site of the building, and that the Metropolitan Board or
District Surveyor have power to order the necessary hoarding or
other works, and the diversion of the public traffic.
The Metropolitan Board were informed that no accidents of the
nature referred to had occurred in this District, inasmuch in every
case a sufficient hoarding had been put up as required to protect the
public, and that with regard to the powers proposed to be obtained,
the District Hoard saw no objection to the suggestion that power be
District Surveyors to control the pulling down of dangerous
buildings in or near public thoroughfares, but strongly objected to
and would oppose any interference with their rights us to the erection
of hoardings and the regulation of the public traffic, the existing
powers vested in the District Board being in their opinion sufficient
tor the purpose.