The Sun.
London, England, 1824-08-11 00:00:00

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CITY.

On Monday the Donn MAYOR called a spe-
cial Meeting of the Commissioners of Sewers at Guildhall, to
take into consideration the Report of a Select Committee ap-
pointed to inquire into the practicability and probable come*
of diminishing the very laborious ascent from Bridge-street anti
Chatham-place to Blackfriars Bridge, and to consider the pro-
priety of Macitclamising the same, the Committee for GefloPll
Purposes having already given directions for 111acAdalui)'1'g
the Bridge.
After several observations relative to the plan, an estimate by
the Lord Mayor, Mr. Alderman Wood, Mr. Deputy Routh,
Messrs. Walter and Dan, and Mr. Jones, was submitted to
the Meeting, consisting principally of an apportionment of the
expenee between the City and Bridewell Precinct*. The Mk
port, which stated that the improvement would be advisable,
was agreed to, and directions were given to carry the sante into
effect forthwith.

Mr. Alderman Woon then proposed that the Old BIM
should be Macadamised. A very great nuisance would, by
carrying this favourite plan into execution near tie! Courts of
Criminal Justice, be effectually removed. In order to prevent
the interruption of the cause of public justice, it was 141110
found necessary to place a large quantity of straw in the cat.:
riage-way of the Old Bailey, and the whole neighbouriated be-
came in the event of heavy rains a complete quagmire. 'Me"
adamisation would supply the place of straw, and an enormous
accumulation of filth would be sessionally prevented by ttor'
ing the suggestion.
The Lo n n MAYOR wished to call the attention of the meeting
to another object of considerable importance. lie was
_J
per-
suaded that it might be scwmplished, and as this was a sort "1
era in the history of improvements, he trusted that the City of
London would set a great example to every other ponth";
place in the Empire, by rendering the necessary facilities 0
passing and repassing, particularly in her great thoroughfare,-
lie believed that every one would admit the necessity of
diminishing the elevation of the upper part of Skinner-street,
the Old Bailey, and the upper part of Holborn-hill, ill
such a manner as to do away the existing danger pro-
duced by the great ascent and descent on either side. TO
effect this, and to MacAdamise wherever improvements well
undertaken, would be productive of a degree of convenience of
the very highest kind. He certainly considered improvements
of this nature of vital importance to the trade of the vast part of
the population of London, with which his views and exertions
were identified. Notwithstanding the advantageous terms uponwhich business was done in the City, and the unceasing ettorfs
made for the accommodation of customers, unless more ese.t
and expeditious access into the City were given by the remor'''
of obstructions In the streets, the retail part of trade would be
driven out of it, and much of the wholesale might follow. Ilis
Lordship, for these reasons, most urgently requested that the
Meeting would not delay a moment in affecting the improre-
ments which he and others, who deeply considered the welfilre
of their fellow-citizens, proposed. He had given orders for 00
removal of the obstructions in Fleet-street. An immediate at-
tention had been paid to those directions. The nuisance,
which had daily abated since notice had been given of the too.
lution of the Court of Common Council, would, he belieletli
altogether cease that day ; but he exceedingly regretted, that
instead of the old plan of pavement, which fell so infinitely
short of that of M'Adam, the latter had not beeneolopted iu
that great thoroughfare as well as in Bridge-street.
Mr. Jones concurred in his Lordship's opinion, and was ett4
tretnely glad to find die Chief Magistrate an advocate for im-
provements, which a long experience in existing obstruction ill,
and nuisances most accurately pointed out.
It was suggested by sonic members of the meeting that du;
last-mentioned improvements should be deferred until those
tended at the Old Bailey should be completed.
been already l.ui usd
ilaayse'tnn t
ts)ai
long,d, t eani improvements pbreoevge
begged that
sa oft
no, not a moment should be lost.
e the
Mr. BLACKET, who represents the Ward which includes
Old Bailey, said, he in particular felt interested in the success
of those projects. lie certainly thought that the improvements
should take place together, as the Lord Mayor, had propostue
for if the plan of Al'Atlam were adopted in the Old Bailey,!!
alteration must take place should the measure for lessening otew
ascent of Snow-hill meet the approbation of those who WC'
,enipowered to undertake the work. nothme
oCrietysimbedes •
It was at length resolved that the Old Bailey should be
M'Adamizcd from Ludgate-hill to the Debtors' door of .
gate, and that the Surveyor should report as to the practicsby
and expence of effecting the suggested alterations from the ;oig
of Skinner-street to the top of Holborn-hill, and to confer'?"
Mr. M'Adam upon the subject.
The lionn MaYoit requested the several Members of
- th•
• ja
Corporation who attended the meeting to exert themseiv—
their respective Wards for the appointment of efficient strrethy
keepers. He represented that notwithstanding the preisentnet
vigilance in some Wards, and the good effeces throng
several districts, there were some where the grossest negligeer,
and inefficiency were observable. He should request to be win
niched with the names and residences of the street-keeper!!,
order to ascertain who performed and who neglected their !Ale
The extensive plan of improvement likely w
to be immedn". fl
it
undertaken will (and it is not the least cogent argument t
the Lord Mayor) give immediate and rofitable emplorteensve
p
the numerous paupers both in and out of the several workho!ine
It is a remarkable fact diet there is sonic difficulty in g
ldis-
persons to work in the streets, notwithstanding the goer"; sad
couragement given to mendicancy by its daily exPQ"'"
punishment.

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