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34
Several other minor claims for compensation for alleged accidents were received
by the Works Committee during the past year but were disposed of by the Committee
refusing to take up the cases as it was proved that they were under no legal or
moral obligation.
(m) loynes buildings.
It having come to the knowledge of the Committee that the owners of the
property on the west side of Loynes Buildings had erected a barrier across the
entrance to Old Street thereby encroaching upon the rights of this Vestry as the
highway authority, the Committee, after drawing the attention of the owners to the
Vestry's rights, gave instructions for a door to be placed next the street with a notice
that the key is at the office of the Surveyor to the Vestry. The Committee also
learning that certain old cottages, which being insanitary had been closed for some
time, were being occupied as warehouses, drew attention to the fact with a view to
getting them assessed to local rates. Subsequently the property was put up for sale
by order of the Freeholders (Penprases Trustees) and inasmuch as the vendors in
their particulars of sale claimed to sell a portion of the soil in which the Vestry has
rights, notice was given to the Solicitors and Auctioneers who mentioned the matter
at the sale held at the Mart.
The Vestry being no parties to the sale forfeit no right by the property changing
hands, and it remains open to the purchaser to approach the Vestry if he desires to
come to an arrangement in the matter.
Re COST OF LAYING ELECTRIC LIGHT CONDUITS.
In consequence of a statement made by the Chairman of the Electric Lighting
Committee, as to the excessive cost of the trenching work done by the Works
Committee for electric lighting conduits as compared with contractors' prices, the
Vestry on the 20th July, 1897, appointed a Special Committee consisting of the
following members, viz., Messrs. C. Hyatt, E. H. Knight, F. M. Wenborn, C. G.
Helsdon, E. Moffatt, J. T. Clark, and S. G. Porter, to investigate and consider the
question of the cost of making the trenches for the Electric Light Conduits, and after
several lengthy meetings had been held, the following report was presented to the
Vestry, and adopted by them on the 19th October, 1897.
"REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE re TRENCHES FOR
"THE ELECTRIC LIGHTING UNDERTAKING.
"Your Committee having appointed Major Wenborn as their Chairman, have held
six meetings, and beg to report as follows:—
Your Committee being charged to inquire into the accuracy of statements made as
to the cost of trenches for the electric conduits, have thought it right to delay their
report in order to ensure the attendance of the member who made the statement m
question, and have now unanimously arrived at the conclusions set out below.