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underground conveniences at the same spot in lieu thereof, and
on a more extended scale; the existing lavatory was constructed
at a cost of about £2300, and has been extensively availed of
ever since, the fees received being more than sufficient to meet
the current expenses. Shortly afterwards the Board resolved
to provide similar conveniences at the west end of Southwark
Street, and the present structure was formed and completed at
a cost of about £1850. This last has not up to the present time
been a financial success, the cost of maintenance being considerably
in excess of the income as will be seen on referring
to the accounts published herewith. Both these works were
carried out in accordance with plans prepared under the
direction of Mr. G. R. Norrish, the Surveyor of the Board.
The latest act of the Board deserving of special mention
is the taking over of the Christchurch Burial Ground which,
having been laid out as a garden by and at the expense of the
Metropolitan Gardens Association, was formally opened as a
public recreation ground on Saturday, the 16th June last, by
the Bishop of Rochester, the Earl of Meath, Chairman of tho
Association, presiding; there were present also Sir William
Vincent, Vice-President of the Association, Mr. R. K. Causton,
M.P. for Southwark. the Rev. A. H. De Fontaine, M.A.,
Rector of Christchurch, Mr. R. W. Bowers, J.P., and numerous
representatives of the parishes ol Christchurch and St. Saviour.
The piece of ground so dedicated to the public was vested
in the Trustees of Marshall's Charity, and, by deed of Conveyance,
dated the 18th Dec., 1899, it was conveyed to the Board
for the purposes of a public garden or recreation grouud,
subject to the terms of an agreement entered into with the
Trustees and others in June, 1899. It surrounds, to a certain
extent, the inner enclosure of the Parish Church, from which
it is separated by iron railings, and contains an area of 16,155
superficial feet, rather more than the third of an acre.
Although small in extent it will doubtless be appreciated as a
considerable boon by many of the inhabitants of the crowded
district in which it is situate, and, as was remarked by his
lordship, the Earl, in his opening address, in such a place as
London the people were thankful for even small open spaces,
because they proved of great advantage, especially to the
children, and South London was more in need of open spaces
than any other part of the metropolis.
The Board has appointed a caretaker and assumed the