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

Metropolitan Board of Works-

The usual meeting of the Metropolitan Board of Works
was held yesterday at the office in Spring-gardens : Mr. J.
Thwaites in the chair.
The financial statement was presented, and showed the
following cash balances in the hands of the treasurer :
Curreat accounts, £97,614 ; deposit account, £32,000 ;
total, £129,614.
PROPOSED RAILWAYS IN THE METROPOLIS.

A deputation from the inhabitants of Euston-square and
neighbourhood attended Vae 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-Western and Charing-cross Junction Railway,
which would materially interfere with the present open
spaces which were necessary for the health of the inhaci-
property. They also urged that much better routes might
tabentsesleacnteddwfoorulthdeaslso eradilewstaroysy a great deal of very valuable
than were now proposed.
Mr. SPENCER addressed theßoard 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 com-
panies attended the Board to present a memorial on the
subject of laying gas mains in subways, tto.
The memorial stated that subways were not suitable for
gas mains, for if gas was mixed with common air it became
explosive, and inlconfined andlimited plaoeswas exceedingly
dangerous. It was impossible to prevent the escape of gas.
by reason of the rapid decay of pipes, and all works in sub-
ways would have to be performed by artificial light, escapes
of go would be subject to almost immediate explosion.
as
The memorial went to say that frequent oonneo-
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. Melt when working in an
great atmosphere
difficulty
is
t containing
doing
tmuchhei
r workga effectively, often faintings, even in the open air, had
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 Clerkenwell and
in the Strand, by which a lumber of hoases were materially
injured, and by an explosion of gas in a subway at Green-
wich, by which one workman was killed and another was
estub ways Bill.
wouldtt
oin lifeg tphr
protect
tneod usefult the
seriously injured. Therefore, while admit
pro-
perty eue
rsb
ts l
yi c of
by
and subways,
exempting
the
g a
ot h
companies
s hopedminas
i n a s theffromro
mßd
to
ahaner
gd
Mr. RICHARDS addressed the Board in Support of the
memorial.

The CHAIRMAN said, at en early period in the existence
of the Board their attention had been called to the evil of
the streets being
so frequently broken up, causing not only
damage to the roads, but interruption to the train°, The
attention of the Board was also drawn to another, but not
less evil, which was the subsoil of London, Which had been
referred to. The escaped gas became mixed with the Rib-
soil, and it became dangerous to public health.l The
Board had not rushed into this subject without the fullest
inquiry, for they offered premiums for the best designs ibr
a subway, and those designs were referred to a committee,
among whom were the late Mr. Robert Stephenson, Mr.
liawksley, Mr. Wyatt, Mr. W. Cubitt, the late Mr. Alex-
ander Wright, Mr. Bazalgette, 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 economical point of view, by en-
abling gas companies to lay down their pipes without dis-
turbing the roadway, and thus save the expense of relaying
the road, As these subways were formed, at tha expense of