The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-21 00:00:00

REPORT OF SIR WILLIAM CUBIT T.

" In submitting to you this report on a most important
section of the metropolitan drainage, I have to express my
regret at the absence of my friend and coadjutor, Mr.
Robert Stephenson, who has formerly given so much at-
tention to the subject, but the advantage of whose assist-
ance and co-operation I hope to have in the further consi-
deration of thy southern district, which now engages my
attention, and also in the investigation of the remaining
portion of the north of Thames drainage, whenever that
portion of the general scheme may come under our con-
sideration.

" Relative to the drainage of the district now under
consideration, I have at various times been consulted by
your engineer during the progress of his investigations,
and have much satisfaction in referring to his report,
which you have heard read, for the details of the measure.
" I beg to state that I entirely concur in that report,
the clear statement in which, of the general advantages of
the plan, and of the particular means of carrying it into
effect, renders my drawing this report a very easy task.
" The scheme, although a portion only of the north of
Thames drainage, is a perfect; measure of itself; and hav-
ing most important objects to effect, it cannot, in my,
opinion, be set about too soon, particularly as its execu-
tion will in no way affect or be affected by any other of
the districts to be drained subsequently (except as it may
render them easier to execute and less in cost) ; and I
most strongly recommend that the matter be not carried
out piecemeal, but that the whole district comprised in
Mr. Bazalgette's report extending from the Ranelagh
sewer in the Kilburn-road on the went to the Old Ford on
the River Lea at the east, should be considered as one
measure, and, so far as is practicable, carried out at one
time.
" Ravin., thus far approved the plan, the next consi-
deration is the cost.
"I have most carefully gone over the estimates prepared
by the engineer, the prices of which are guided in a great
degree by works of the same kind recently executed, and
at this time in progress for the commissioners, to which
heavy per centages are added for contingencies and com-
pensations, for which no exact estimate can be made. The
total amount, as shown by the estimate, is 271,2901. ; but
reasoning from analogy in similar cases I strongly recom-
mend that the probable total cost of this measure should
not be stated, or at least I do not think myself safe in
stating it, at less than 300,0001.
" It has been urged, and that by an authority entitled
to the highest respect, that the drainage works on the
south side of the Thames are deserving of the first con-
sideration ; but at the time that opinion was expressed,
the surveys for the district forming the subject of this
report were in a much more forward state than those for
the south of the Thames ; and, moreover, as this (the
Hackney Brook district) forms an integral work of itself,
it was deemed best to complete and submit the report
thereon.
" The surveys and levels sufficient for determining the
plan and estimate for the drainage south of the Thames,
both on the high and low level, are now ready, and a re-
port and estimate for the whole of that district can be
ready within a fortnight from this time ; and then a safe
and correct judgment may be formed as to the best mode
of proceeding to carry any portion of works into effect.
" The peculiarities of the works on the north and south
sides of the Thames, respectively, are as follows—that
whereas the works on the north side of the Thames, com-
mproitsreodpionlitshoms it-ehpaotrtsidael,tfhoorumgha fsoorheampoooortmiopnlootnelyinoiftstehlfe,
and will immediately answer their full purpose when
finished, on the south side, no one section can be made to
answer its full purpose till the whole be completed, as will
otrhkes,palraenrse,asdhyowtoinghothsoehnmatiuttreed
the,teoxtent and
com-
mcaopissptseioaofrnwtehrshe.ewn

REPORT OF ROBERT STEPHENSON, M.P.
" Having read Mr. Bazalgette's report on the subject of
an intercepting drain on the northern margin of London,
and also Sir William Cubitt's remarks upon it, I have to
express my entire concurrence in the views conveyed in
both these documents.
" I am glad that the Commissioners of Sewers are at
last placed in a position to commence an improved system
of sewerage for the metropolis ; but I cannot help feeling
that the limited powers which have been obtained for bor-
rowing money are totally inadequate for the purpose of
producing such an improvement as is really called for. The
work proposed by your engineer, and sanctioned by Sir
William Cubitt, is undoubtedly a step in the right direc-
tion ; but its effect will scarcely be felt if not followed up
by similar designs, of much greater magnitude, both on the,s
north and south sides of the Thames. The latterr, demands
immediate attention for the drainage throuedvauieldmsue
Bermond-
sey, Lambeth, and Southwark, is deplorably ,
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as could not fail to aggravate the conseqtlennecew.ngl,
88 do,
demic with which it may be visited. K
hitherto crippled, and how unjustly
of parties who do not
how completely tho efforts of thecomthionyishsiaorneebi
to public obloquy by the clamourthe .seehnavheelbdeuepn
question, nor take the
understand the difficulties of
acquainted with the facts, I
trouble of makingnoenr sat ho
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pr or
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hr ieent
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next session, showing the
prepariwouldng
ior suggeste
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etuhdre themselves:crsoit,
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estimates,
amount absolutely required for rendering the sewerage of
the
which seem to have stood in the way of
oeizt. g
powers during the last session of Parliament,
difficultieso
w
a sum as 200,0001., show clearly that
yourmtraoipn
io
n 1 is
pw.hatit should be.
“h e
for even so moderate
neither Parliament nor the public understood the mogul.
tude of the subject, as I am within the mark when I say