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35
object the setting apart of the site as an open space,*
but that as the Yestry had now arrived at a
different conclusion he should do his best to
support the Post Office Sites Bill.
A Special Meeting of the Yestry was held on the
15th August, when the following letters were
read:—
House of Commons,
6'h August, 1889.
My Dear Sir,
When about a fortnight ago I attended a meeting of the
Clerkenwell Vestry to make a statement on the subject of the
Coldbath Fields Prison Site, the Vestry seecned unanimonsly of
opinion that it was desirable that the Farringdon Road should be
widened at the point where some houses now stand called Oldham
Gardens. I took an early opportunity of seeing Mr. Raikes, who
explained to me that he did not think it possible to do much in
the way of widening the street at that point, as under present
circumstances accommodation was afforded for most of the Parcels
Post Traffic inside the walls, which could not be the case if the
wall was moved back any distance. He subsequently informed
me that this matter would form a portion of the questions to be
decided by the Committee to which the Bill has been relegated
since it passed the second reading. It occurs to me that the
Vestry ought to be represented before the Committee by some one
empowered to give evidence on their behalf, but doubtless the
Vestry have been communicated with to that effect already.
Kindly place this letter before the Vestry, and oblige.
Faithfully yours,
FREDERICK T. PEN TON.
London County Council,
Spring Gardens, S.W.,
6th August, 1889.
Sir,
With reference to your letter of the 9th ultimo, stating
that in the opinion of the Vestry of Clerkenwell, it is very
desirable that the wall of Coldbath Fields Prison on the Farringdon
Road side, should be set back for the purpose of widening the
road, 1 have to acquaint you, for the information of the Vestry,
* When the Vestry advocated the retention of the site as an open spaoe,
it was us nn alternative to proposals for covering the land with Artizans'
Dwellings. No suggestion had been made at that time of the erection of
the Parcels Poat Depôt.