The Sun.
London, England, 1865-11-11 00:00:00

Metropolis

If Works

TILE VOTE OF CONDOLENCE TO LADY PALMERSTON,

" Brockett-hall, Nov. 4.
"Sir,—l am desired by Lady Palmerston to convey to
the Metropolitan Board of Works her grateful thanks for
their expression of sympathy with her, and of attachment
to the memory of her husband.—l am, sir, your obedient
servant, "EVELYN ASHLEY.

"John Pollard, Esq., Clerk to the Board."
This reply was ordered to be entered on the
minutes.

THE LATE ACCIDENT AT A POLLING-BOOTH IN
CLERKENWELL.

A report was presented from the Building Act
Committee stating that in their opinion no blame
attached to the District Surveyor for the accident
which occurred at a polling-booth in Clerkenwell
during the late Finsbury election.

INTERRUPTION TO PUBLIC TRAFFIC BY BREAKING

UP THE STREETS.

The CHAIRMAN said it would be remembered that
some time ago the subject of the continual breaking
up of the streets by gas and water companies had
been brought before the board, by which the public
traffic had been greatly interrupted in consequence
of those companies refusing to use the subways
which had been constructed at a great expense. A
correspondence had taken place with one of those
companies, which would now be laid before the
Board.

The following correspondence was then presented
which had taken place between the Board and the
Vauxhall Water Company with reference to the lay-
ing of water mains in the subway constructed by
the Board in Southwark-street :
"Metropolitan Board of Works, Spring-gardens,
Oct. 2.

" Sir,—l am directed by the Metropolitan Board of
Works to acquaint you that they have lately received a
communication from the Board of Works for the St. Savi-
our's district, on the subject of water mains being laid
down in Southwark-street, to the effect that the Southwark
and Vauxhall Water Company decline to avail themselves
of the opportunity of placing their mains in the subway
constructed under the street, on the ground that, having,
in conjunction with the gas companies, laid out a consi-
derable sum of money in opposing the Subways Bill, re-
cently promoted by this Board, it would be inconsistent on
their part so to do, but that they wore quite willing to lay
pipes in the street in the usual manner. The Board desire
me to request the attention of the company to the fact that
one of the purposes for which the subway in question was
formed was to afford facilities for the laying down and re-
pair of water pipes without interfering with the surface of
the carriage or footway, whereby much expense to the
company and inconvenience to the public traffic would be
avoided, and injury to the solidity of the thoroughfare pre-
♦ented. The Board, having regard to the interests of the
ratepayers of the metropolis, considered that, to accom-
plish these objects, they would be justified in incurring
the large expenditure which the formation of the subway
involved, and they deeply regret to find that their efforts
in the direction indicated are likely to be frustrated by the
course which the Southwark and Vauxhall Water Com-
pany propose to adopt. The Board fear that, besides
greatly inconveniencing the public, the laying down of
the pipes in the ordinary manner will entirely destroy
the present excellent condition of the paving of the
street, notwithstanding any expense the company may
incur in reinstating the same ; and they are desirous
of learning, before the ground is broken up, whether the
Board can in any way meet the wishes of the company, so
as to induce them to forego the decision at which they ap-
pear to have arrived, and thus preserve the surface of the
street—l am, &c.,

" JOHN POLLARD, Clerk of the Board.
"James Rosseter, Secretary, Southwark Water
Company, Sumner-street, Southwark."
"Office of Southwark and Vauxhall Water Company,
Sumner-street, Southwark, Oct. 26.
"Sir,—Your letter of the 2d inst. has been laid before the
Court of Directors, and the subject to which it refers again
taken into mature consideration. lam instructed to state
that it is with great regret that the directors feel themselves
compelled to decline compliance with the wish of the Me-
tropolitan Commissioners, that the company's line should
be laid in the subway in Southwark-street. The laying the
mains in the subway would subject the company to great
trouble and expense, it would also involve a serious and
indefinite risk, in which the public would share, while, as
the directors believe, the convenience of the public would
not on the whole be increased. The laying down the mains
cannot, with a view to protection in case of fire, be longer
delayed. In giving instructions for the laying the company's
engineer will however gladly meet, as far as may he prac-
ticable, any suggestions on the part of the officers of the
Metropolitan Commissioners, so to place the water mains as
not to interfere with the subway, or the use to be derived
from it.—l am, &c.,

"JAMES RossETRE, Secretary.
"John Pollard, Esq., Clerk of the Board to Metropolican

Board of Works, Spring-gardens, S.W."
Mr. NEWTON moved that copies of this correspon
dence be sent to all vestries and district boards o:
the metropolis.

Mr. CARPMAEL thought it could not be too widely
known that although subways had been formed at
a great expense out of the ratepayers' money, which
would prevent the constant breaking up of the public
street, that gas and water companies would not use
them.

Mr. BIDGOOD suggested that copies of the corre-
spondence should also be sent to every member o.
both Houses of Parliament.

This was agreed to, and the motion so amended
was passed unanimously.

THE SALARIES OF OFFICERS.

The report was presented from the Main Drain-
age Committee, stating "that the Committee see no
reason to alter the resolution of the Board of the
4th of January, 1861 (No. 2), distributing the
officers into four classes, but they are of opinion
that the salaries and classification of officers should
be revised in the month of January in each year."
This report led to a short discussion, in which it
was urged that it would be most desirable to get rid
of the frequent applications from officers for an
advance of salary, and that it would be better that
a stated period should be fixed when once a year
the salaries would be considered, and if there were
any special reasons then they would be increased
according to their respective merits.

The motion was put and carried unanimously.
PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION AT TIIE BOARD.

Mr. SAUNDERS, pursuant to notice, moved—
" That it be referred to the Streets Committee to
consider if any, and if so what alterations or im-
provements could be made in the premises of the
Board, for the greatest utility of public business,
and the convenience of members." He said, at the
present time there was no fitting accommodation
for deputations and other persons having business
at the Board.

The motion was put and agreed to.
FINSBURY PARK.
Mr. PECKETT moved—,4 That the Board having,
under the provisions of the Finsbury Act, 1857,
purchased the land required for the purposes of the
park, it be referred to the Streets Committee to con-
sider and report as to the steps to be taken for lay-
ing out the park and dedicating it to public use."
Mr. SAVAGE seconded the motion, which was put
and agreed to.

PNEUMATIC DESPATCIi COMPANY.
A letter was received from the solicitor . to the
Pneumatic Despatch Company in reference to the
long-standing dispute between the board and the
company on the laying down of the pneumatic tubes,
it having been reported that they have encroached
on on the sewers under the jurisdiction of this board.
The dispute was referred to the arbitration of
Bateman, who made his award against the company,
but to-day it was stated that he had done so on a
false data, as the tubes were not so near to the
sewers as had been represented, and before entering
upon further legal proceedings by the board it was
requested that a delay should take place until Mon-
day next, when the distance between them would
be measured, and that the engineer of this board
should be invited to attend. °
The Solicitor to the Board recommended that that

The usual meeting of the Metropolitan Boazd:of
Works was held yesterday at the office in Spring-
gardens ; Sir John Thwaites in the chair.
FINANCE.

The financial statement was presented, which
showed the following cash balances in the hands of
the treasurer :—Current accounts, £155,298 9s. sd. ;
deposit accounts, £118,352 3s. 10d. ; total,
£273,650 13s. 3d.

At the meeting of the Board held on the 27th
ult., on the motion of Mr. Tite, M.P., a resolution
was passed expressive of its sense of the great loss
this country had sustained in the death of Lord
Palmerston, which resolution was ordered to be
communicated to Lady Palmerston, with a respect-
ful assurance of the condolence of the Board, and
its deep sympathy in het irreparable loss.
This day the following reply was read by Mr.
Pollard, the clerk :