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eventually the price of Messrs. Allen, sen., & Son, for the erection of
a bandstand, in accordance with their design submitted, for the sum
of £140 was accepted. The work of preparing the foundation of the
bandstand is being carried out by the workmen in the employ of the
Vestry, at an estimated cost of .£40, and the erection of the stand
will immediately be proceeded with.
During the year the ornamental Drinking Fountain which stood
on the footway of Newington Causeway, and was presented to the
parish many years ago by the late Mr. J. Dunn, was removed to the
Paragon Garden.
The lease of the Portland Place Open Space from the Governors
of St. Bartholomew's Hospital was completed in February, 1900.
WEST SQUARE.
A suggestion was made that it would be desirable to secure the
centre of West Square as an open space for the use of the public, and
with this view communications have been entered into with the
Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, and through them with
Colonel Temple West, the owner of the square, but up to the present
no definite result has been attained. It is sincerely hoped that the
owner may see his way to make an arrangement with the Vestry by
which the centre of the Square will be secured to the public as an
Open Space.
AMALGAMATION OF THE SOUTH EASTERN AND CHATHAM AND DOVER
RAILWAYS.
In connection with the petition presented by the Vestry against
this measure in February, 1899, a letter was received from the
Solicitor to the Company stating that, on the amalgamation of the
two Companies, the railway facilities would be equal to existing
facilities, that both routes referred to would be kept open and that
the rates would not be increased, and a clause would be inserted in
the Bill to this effect. It was also pointed out that the rates and
charges in many cases would be immediately reduced owing to the
fact that they would be collected by one Company instead of two.
The Vestry subsequently appointed a deputation to wait upon
the Manager of the Company. The principal points dealt with were
as to workmen's trains, and the facilities for goods traffic at the
Bricklayers Arms Station and the station in Blackfriars road. With