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109
preferable in streets where the gradients are easy, and gives the
roadway a cleaner appearance owing to the absence of joints.
Cement grouting was adopted throughout, which through its
greater hardness prolongs the life of the wood by reducing the wear
upon the edges of the blocks, and also materially assists in giving
the pavement a clean surface.
The pavement around the statue of King George III in Pall
Mall East hits been remodelled and raised at the joint expense
of the Vestry and Her Majesty's Office of Works. The old pavement
to this statue was on the street level, and formed an objectionable
hollow for water to accumulate.
A considerable improvement has been effected in Endell Street
by moving the refuge more to the east and altering the axis of same
so as to allow of an easier division of the through traffic from Bow
Street. The level of the upper portion of this street has also been
lowered, while at the same time the bottom portion was slightly
raised, an easier gradient being thus obtained, which is an improvement
greatly needed.
The principal work in connection with the footways for the past
year is the footway on the north side of Long Acre, which has
been entirely renovated and remodelled, including the Drury Lane
footway from Long Acre to Wilson Street. In connection with
this work, the owners of property were required to have their areas,
where defective, renewed.
All the new York pavements are being laid upon a bed of ashes,
instead of as heretofore upon the natural ground. The ashes are
readily procured from the furnace clinkers removed by the Vestry,
and by their adoption it is impossible for water to lodge under the
pavement, which, in case of frost, is The cause of numerous displacements
throughout the parish, rendering the cost of repairs in winter
considerable.
In connection with the repaving of Northumberland Street,
considerable improvements were effected in the footways on both
sides, they being made of a more uniform width by straightening
the kerb lines. The opportunity was also taken of abolishing a step
in the east footway, immediately above the stables at No. 1, which
was a source of danger.