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The Vestry do not favour the frequent disturbance of the
streets necessitated by the multiplication of mains beneath
the surface, and were somewhat chary of giving consent in
the present instance, but finding that some of the parishioners
desired to avail themselves of hydraulic power from a main
instead of by means of apparatus erected on their own
premises, they gave the necessary permission, and the works
have been carried out.
PICCADILLY IMPROVEMENT.
On the 7th July the Vestry passed a resolution protesting
against the unseemly delay in completing this improvement,
which was authorized by Parliament in 1877. A copy of this
resolution was communicated to the Metropolitan Board of
Works, and a reply received stating that the Board were
giving careful consideration to various plans and suggestions
for dealing with the vacant land at Piccadilly Circus, and
would arrive at a decision as soon as possible.
Shortly afterwards a model was exhibited illustrating a
proposal to erect a block of buildings on each of the triangular
pieces of ground at Piccadilly Circus, and connect the
same with a double arch, the centre support to be built in the
middle of the roadway at the entrance to Shaftesbury Avenue.
The Vestry objected to this proposal as contrary to the spirit
of the improvement which had been effected at so large an
outlay, and were gratified to learn subsequently that it did
not receive the approval of the Board.
Early in the year 1885 the Vestry asked the Metropolitan
Board of Works to allow them to construct suitable public
conveniences at or near Piccadilly Circus in connection with
the improvements at that spot. At that time Shaftesbury