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to these proceedings, the Board bearing in mind the fact that a new
park was about to bo formed in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe, and
thinking that the Tower might with advantage bo re-erected in such
park, and thus be preserved in the vicinity of Southwark, offered
the same to the Metropolitan Board for their gratuitous acceptance,
on condition of their so re-erecting the same, and that Board readily
agreed to accept it, and undertook to remove and re-erect it at their
own expense. It is in contemplation to provide, upon the removal
of the Tower, a suitable Sanctuary and Lamp Column near the site,
for the accommodation of the public.
The Board, in the latter part of last year, seeing that considerable
progress was being made in building operations in Southwark Street,
and that a large amount of valuable property was being rapidly
accumulated in the new buildings, put themselves in communication
with the Southwark and Vauxhall Water Company, and requested
them to provide water mains and a supply of water as a precautionary
measure in case of fire. The Board further requested that
such mains might be laid in the subway, but the Company positively
declined to avail themselves of the subway, and therefore the mains
will have to be laid in the usual manner.
The Metropolitan Board have handed over the charge and responsibility
of lighting and maintaining the two ornamental lamp
columns erected by them at the sanctuaries at each end of Southwark
Street to the District Board.
The Board have thought it desirable to appoint a Clerk of the
Works, whose name and address will bo found in the List of Officers
at page 32.
During the recent Session of Parliament the London, Chatham,
and Dover Railway Company introduced a Bill into Parliament for
the widening and extension of their line, thereby seeking, inter alia,
the entire closing of Holland Street, and the vesting of the site of a
portion thereof in the Company. Immediately upon the introduction
of the Bill the Board, foreseeing the great injury that would be inflicted
upon the inhabitants of the District and others in the event
of the Bill passing, took measures to oppose the same, and employed
counsel to appear for them before the Committee of the House of
Commons, but were unsuccessful in their opposition in that House.
Afterwards, in consequence of the urgent requisition of numerous
inhabitants of the District, they also opposed the Bill in the House
of Lords, and were assisted by the co-operation of the Metropolitan
Board of Works and a number of private inhabitants, but their
joint opposition did not avail to prevent the closing of the street.
The Board, however, have obtained the insertion of a clause stipulating
for the formation of a subway for foot passegers from Holland