The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-20 00:00:00

PROPOSED RAILWAYS IN TILE METROPOLIS.

A deputation from the iniribitanta of Euston-square and
neighbourhood attended the Board to present a memorial on
the subject of the various railways proposed to be con-
structed on the site of Euston-square.
The memorial stated that the inhabitants of Euston-
square and neighbourhood with the feelings of alarm the
notices which had been given for the construction of the
Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway,: and the
North-Westor4 and Charin-cross Junction, Railway,
which tvould materially interfere with the present open
spaces which were necessary for the health of the inhabi-
tants, end would also destroy a great deal of very valuable
property. They also urged that much better routes might
be selected for these railways than were now propose
Mr. SPENCER addresse I the Board at considerable length
in support of the memorial, which, on the motion of Mr.
SILAS TAYLOR, was referred to the Streets Committee for
consideration and report.

SURVEYS FOR GAS AND WATER PIPES, TELEGRAPHS, &C.
A deputation from the different metropolitan gas coin-
panies attended the Board to present a memorial on the
subject of laying gas mains in subways, Ice.
The memorial stated that subways were not suitable for
gas mains, for if gas was mixed with common air it became
explosive, and in:confined andlimited placeawas exceedingly
dangerous. It was impossible to prevent the escape of gas.
by reason of the rapid decay of pipes, and as all works in sub-
ways would have to be performed by artificial light, escapes
immediate explosion.
oTfhegasinwemouolrdialbe
wsuenbjteato to
say
ymotsht
aitra
frequent connec-
tions with mains had to be made, but in a dark and confined
space that would be at all times difficult and dangerous,
and in cases which large mains are to be connected quite
impracticable, as such work could not be performed by arti-
ficial light, and without more fresh air than could be ob-
tained in any confined space. Men when working in an
atmosphere containing much gas, even in the open air, had
great difficulty in doing their work effectively, often fainting
away, and in a close subway their lives would be endangered.
It was also urged that escaped gas in subways might be
readily fired by the carelessness of workmen and even by a
lucifer match accidentally thrown down a ventilator, and
accidents of the kind occurred in sewers in Clerkenwoll and
in the Strand, by which a number of houses were materially
injured, and by an explosion of gas in a subway at Green-
wich, by which one workman was killed and another was
seriously injured. Therefore, while admitting the useful
ness of subways, they hoped the Board would protect the
public and the gas companies from danger to life and pro-
perty by exempting gas mines from the Subways Bill.
Mr. support of the
memorial.
• The CHAIRMAN said, at an early period in the existence
RI CIIARDS addressed the Board in
of the Board their attention hsd been called to the evil of
damagethestr streets ettos
thebeing o frequently
asdoe,
brokenutio n up, causing not only
to the traffic, The
but
p attention of the Board was also drawn to mother, but not
iater
r
less evil, which was the subsoil of London, which had been
referred to. The escaped gas became mixed with the sub-
soil, and it became dangerous to public health.l 3 The
Board had not rushed into this subject without the ;ullest
inquiry, for they offered premiums for the best designs for
a subway, and those designs %fere referred to a committee,
among whom were the late Ar. Robert Stephenson, Mr.
Hawksley, Mr. Wyatt, Mr. W. Cubitt, the late Mr. Alex-
ander Wright, Mr. Bazalgotta and Mr. Marrable, and they
gave the fullest consideration to the subject. They believed
that they should be able to prevent the escape of gas, as the
pipes would be painted, and the joints could be frequently
examined. They also considered that there would be the
additional advantage, in an eccumnieal point of view, by en-
abling gas companies to lay down their pipes without dis-
turbing the roadway, and thug save the expense of relaying
, the road, As these subways were formed. at the expellee of