The Sun.
London, England, 1856-11-08 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS.

Yesterday the ordinary weekly meeting of the board
was held in the council-chamber, Guildhall, under the

presidency of Mr. Thwaites.
THE NEW STREET FROM LEICESTER SQUARE TO COVENT-

GARDEN.
The Clerk (Mr. Woolrych) read a communication from
the office of the Chief Commissioner of Works, stating
that Sir B. Hall approved of the plan submitted by the
board for the construction of the abovenatned new street.
This communication was ordered to be acknowledged
by the clerk.

GREENWICII DISTRICT ASSESSMENT.
Mr. BuisrowE introduced a deputation from Green-
wich, who presented a memorial on the subject of the
financial statement, showing the condition of each of the
parishes and districts of the metropolis, presented to the
board on Oct. 3.
The spokesman of the deputation, Mr. James, said
that it appeared from the financial statement lately laid
before the board, that a larger amount would be re•
quirel to be raised from Greenwich district than from
any other district of the metropolis, while there was
nothing in the account which showed what were the

items of the expenditure.
The PRESIDENT interrupted the speaker by stating
that 10,0001. had not long ago been paid by the board,
of which 4,5001. was on account of Greenwich, 4,5001.
for Lewisham, and 1,0001. for Richmond district.
Mr. JAMES said he was aware that such was the case,
but the deputation desired to be furnished with the par-
ticulars of the expenditure, and no means had been as
yet supplied to them for doing so.
The PRESIDENT remarked that the board had not
themselves the means of ascertaining what amounts had
been expended in particular parishes. (Hear.)
Mr. JAMES said that the district board had no reason
to believe that Greenwich had been improperly charged;
still they were desirious of having particulars in order to
enable them to arrive at some conclusion themselves.
The PRESIDENT observed that no doubt the applica-
tion was a very reasonable one, and that the board had
every disposition to give the deputation the fullest par-
ticulars—(near)--but he would remind the memorialqrs
that the hoard had succeeded to a state of accounts of the
most complicated character, which were not kept in re-
spect to parishes, but in respect of district-sewers' arrears.
The board had some district returns in reference to
Greenwich, of which the deputation could have copies.
Mr. JAMES alluded to the trunk sewers that had been
constructed in the Greenwich district, and said that the
deputation did not think it fair that the inhabitants
should bear the expense of constructing sewers for the
upper districts.
The PRESIDENT said it Wa3 not so. The returns would
show the charges had been apportioned among the seve-
ral districts.
1h paeaurial was then received.
Mr. BRISTOWE moved to the effect, that the documents
referred to by the President be furnished to the memo-
rialists.
Mr. LESLIE did not see the necessity of passing such
a resolution when it was the undoubted right of every
ratepayer to inspect the returns.
Mr. Bristowe's motion was then agreed to.
THE INTERCEPTING MAIN DRAINAGE PLAY.

Mr. H. L. TAYLOR said that, before the neat item in
the business paper was taken up, he thought it right that
the board should have some communication from the
President in reference to an interview that he had had
with the Chief Commissioner of Works. He did not in-
tend to debate the matter to-day, or to make any remark
upon the statements that had appeared upon the subject
in the public papers.
The PRESIDENT had not any lengthened statement to
make in reference to the interview, beyond the fact that,
in pursuance of the resolution of the board, he, accom-
panied by the clerk and engineer, had presented to the
Chief Commissioner the plan for the intercepting drain-
age of London, as- also the plan for the new street in
Covent-garden. He had no more to add at present.
Mr. LESLIE asked whether there had been any altera-
tion in the plans taken up to Sir B. Hall after they had
been agreed to?
The PRESIDENT said it was quite impossible that thero
could be any.
Mr. LESLIE would persist in repeating his question.

The PRESIDENT had no knowledge whatever of any
such alteration.
Mr. LESLIE would then ask Mr. Bazalgette (the chief
engineer) ?
Mr. BAZALGETTE distinctly affirmed that no alteration
had taken place in the plan. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. BRISTOWE observed that these questions implied
oth as involving the reputation of individua!a.
Mr. LESLIE gave his reason fur putting the question.
The hon. member entered into some details' in reference
to statements concurred in by Mr. Bazalgette, bearing
on sewage and rainfall.
Mr. LL. L. TAYLOR did not think these statements at
all fair to the engineer.
Mr. SAvA would like to know whether the accounts
which appeared in the newspapers were correct ?
The PRESIDENT thought that on second consideration
the hon. member would feel that he would best consult
the interests of the board not to press his inquiries fur-
ther now. With regard to the reports themselves, he
could only Pay that they were not taken by him.
Mr. Savadu was willing, under the circumstances, to
allow his queries to drop.
THE NEW STREET IN SOUTHWARK.

A deputation from the Board of Works of St. Savi-
our's district attended and presented a copy of the fol-
lowing rt solution, which bad been adopted by that board
in favour of the formation of a new street, viz :
" That, in consequence of the great increase of the
street traffic on the south side of the river Thames, owing
to the various railway termini in the locality, and the fins
mouse traffic upon the approaches to London-bridge, it is
desirable that a new and suitable street should be formed
without delay from east to west through the district to
relive the traffic in the existing streets, and to afford
better accommodation to persons going to and from the
TA ions railways, and it is the opinion of this board
that this object will be best attained by a new street com-
mencing as near as possible to the termini of the South-
Eastern and South Coast Railways at London-bridge and
terminating as nearly as practicable opposite to Stamford-
street, Blackfriars-road."
The memorial was received.
The clerk (Mr. Woolrych) then read the following
report of the Committee of Works and Improvements :
" Greek-street, Soho, Nov. 7.
" Your committee beg to report that, in accordance with
the instructions conveyed to this committee by the resolu-
tion of the board of the 13th of October last, to prepare a
plan and estimate of a new line of street commencing, as
nearly as practicable, opposite to the entrance of the South-
Eastern Rail way and terminating in Blackfriars road, in a
line with Stamford-street, they have under consideration
the following plans of new lines of street in the locality re-
ferred to, with a comparative estimate of the cost of carry-
ing them out :
" Plan 1, masked A A, showing a line of street, coloured
blue, from Stamford-street, Blackfriars-road, to High-
street at its junction with York-street, Borough, the esti-
mate for which is—for purchase of property, 660,237/. ;
10 per cent. for contingencies, 66,023/. ; 4,420 feet paving,
&a., 11,0501.. together, 737,3001. Returns for property
resold, &c., 195,585'.; Government grant, 9J,0001. ; mak-
ing total net cost 451,7151. Plan 88, showing a lino of
street from Stamford-street, Blackfriars-road, to Redcross-
street, Borough, the estimated outlay for which is 350,062/.,
and the return 152,9471., making the net cost 197,1151. The
estimated cost of forming a straight junction with High-
street (near Red Lion-street) from Redcross-street is—out-
lay, 118,89 n ; return, 33,2951., making the net cost 80,5961.
Add to this the net cost of street from Stamford-street to
Redcross-street—viz., 197,1151., the sum will be 277,7111.,
from which deduct the Government grant of 90,0001., and
the total net cost of plan B B, with the straight junction,
will be 187,711/. The estimated cost of forming a curved
junction with High-street (near York-street) from Red-
cross-street is,—outlay, 169,362/. ; return, 45,8061. ; add
to which the net cost of street from Stamford-street to
Redcross-street, 197,1151., making a total of 320,6711.,
from which deduct 9 ),0001. Goverument grant, leaves the
total net cost of plan B B, with curved junction, 230,6711.
Your committee, after fully considering these plans and
estimates, and the nature and value -of the property
which would be interfered with in carrying out either
line, have resolved upon submitting for the approval
of the board the line 88, with the straight junction,
coloured yellow on the plan ; and they accordingly recom-
mend a new line of street, commencing in High-street, at
its point of junction with Red Lion-street, proceeding
thence to Redcross-street, at its intersection with Castle-
street, and terminating in Blackfriars'-road, opposite
Stamford-street in the direction shown on the plan by the
tinted yellow thereon.
" Your committee have further to observe that they have
given directions that the board should have before them
the plan of the line of street leading from the Town-hall,
Southwark, to the York-road, Lambeth, near to the South-
Western Railway station, which was submitted to the
beard on the Bth of August last, together with the estimate
of the cost of carrying out the works :
"The cost from-High-street, Southwark, to Southwark-
bridge-road is estimated at 294,0001. ; from Southwark-
bridge-road to Blackfriars-road, 218,419/. ; from Black.
friars-road to Waterloo-road, 210,1931. ; and from Water-
loo-road to York-road, Lambeth, 92,487/.—total, 895,1041.
The return on account of these four portions is estimated
at 631,7941., making the net cost 26 3,3101., from which de-
' duct the Government grant of 90,0001., leaves 173,310/. as
the ultimate net cost.
" All which your committee beg to submit.
" J. THWAITES.
" THOMAS TURNER.
" EDWARD COLLINSON."
On the motion of Mr. Tarner the report was received.
Mr. TURNER, acting as the spokesman of the Commit-
tee of Works and Improvements, moved that the follow-
ing recommendation, emanating from the committee, be
adopted, namely' "A new line of street, commencing in
High-street, at its point of junction with Red Lion street,
proceeding thence to Redcross-street, at its intersection
with Castle-street, and termir sting in Blackfriars-road,
opposite Stamford-street, in the direction shown on the
thereopfortthibyptlhaen line anted tisnetteddoywelaleiwn
thereon."pin
accompanying The net cost
the estimate at 384,8261., and this plan
same plan, with a
deviation termed the "curved junction," often' alluded
to in the debate, was put down at 427,7861., being an
increase of 42,9601. The committee had four plans be-
fore them, and they did not think that they were justified
in recommending an additional expenditure of 43,0001.
for going 11 yards nearer London-bridge. As regarded
the plan of Mr. Pennithorne which bad been reported on
by the superintending architect, it would involve at first
an outlay of nearly double that of the plan recommended
by the committee and lettered 88. This was deserving
of some consideration. In his opinion the line would faci-
litate considerably the traffic at the river side, and, more-
over, it would be the most useful to the neighbourhood.
Mr. COLLINSON seconded the motion. He was con-
vinced that the south side ratepayers were favourable to
the plan recommended by the committee.
Mr. IRVINE was desirous of putting the board in pos-
seszion of certain facts. He asked the committee whether
they had before them detailed data to support the calcu-
lations, and, if they had, what means did they take to
verify these calculations ? For his own part he pro.
nouncea these calculations inaccurate and erroneous, and

he staked his professional reputation as a surveyor upon

the truth of these assertions.
Ths ARCHITECT, in answer to questions from Mr.
Wright, said that the width of the proposed new street
was 70 feet, whilst the width of Hie-street at its point
of junction with the projected street, f_'; an angle of 125
deg., was but 60 feet. Now, the point which the com-
mittee had recommended was not the nearest practicable
point to London-bridge ; but by making the cu,ved line,
for which an additional 43,0011. would be required, the
new street would go into another 70 feet in width. The
street proposed by the committee might not unfairly be
entitled "a street for the blocking up of Wellington-
street, Southwark." It wag not enough to make a wide
and good street; the approaches must likewise be good.
Would the board spoil their first street for a caving
simply of 10 per cent. on tho total outlay ; and this sav-
ing, let it be remembered, was the sole reason urged in
support of the plan recommended by the committee,
whilst weighty and numerous considerations should in-
duce them to adopt the curved line. He would therefore
move as an amendment that. the plan recommended by
the committee be adopted, with the variation of the
curved junction with High-street (near York-street) from

Redcross-street.
Mr. SNOW seconded, and Mr. DREW supported, the
amendment.
Mr. Hows also spoke in favour of the amendment,
which he said did not vary the line of street advocated
by the committee, save in respect to the curve. This
curve, however, would afford such advantages to public
communication that he was quite prepared to vote the
43,000/. additional required for its construction accord-
ing to the estimate. Any advantage gained in bringing
the new street nigher to the railway termini at London•
bridge he thought should be measured almost by inches.

(Hear.)
Mr. DALTON having said a few words in favour of the
amendment,
Mr. WILKINSON addressed the board briefly in sup-
pert of the motion. He did not think the advantages to
be gained would compensate for the additional outlay.
Mr. D'IFFINGL's was willing to vote this sum of money
for even a slight advantage in reference to the proximity
of the new street to the London-bridge railways. 34,0001.
was not worth considering in such a case.
Mr. Deputy HARKIsoN asked the Court to reject the
proposal of the committee as far as related to the straight
junction with High-street (near Red Lion-street) from
Red Cross-street. If they adopted this, what would be
the consequence of having a 70 feet street opening into
a6O feet one almost at right angles ? Now, the curved
junction would afford such convenience for public traffic
that its advantages would very soon be fully appreciated
by the public. His only regret was that they were not
at present in a position to commence the new street at
the railways,ibut he was now convinced that there at
present existed difficulties of a rather formidable nature
in effecting this. He thought the new street, as sketched
out in the amendment, would be a considerable public
' improvement.
Mr. CoLLINSON strongly opposed the amendment. He
would ask the gentlemen who proposed it to look care-
fully at the plans and see what would be the consequence
if the board were to adopt their proposition for a cursed
line of junction. To do so they would cut through the
beat property;in High-street, and for what purpose ?
Why, to leave behind a greater nuisance in Southwark
both in point of appearance and convenience than they
found there. (Hear.) However, he would not object
to the sacrifice of the property, if the public interest was
to be served ; but the fact was that the curved line
would be highly disadvantageous to Southwark. If they
passed this proposition for a curve he confessed that he
knew nothing that could occur in after time that would
remedy the evil that would be thus occasioned.
Mr. DOULTON remarked that n great metropolitan
improvement could be carried on w'thout causing incon-
venience in some quarter ; but nevertheless Southwark
would be considerably benefited by bringing the com-
mencement of the new street as nigh as possible to Lon-
don-bridge. As representing a borough constituency
(Lambeth) he gave his supper.; to the amendment.
Mr. BIDGOOD strenuously resisted the amendment,
and expressed his concurrence in the line of street which
.bad been surveyed by Mr. Pennithorne, and to which
Itse Government were evidently favourable. They had
heard, too, that the committee had not been altogether
unanimous in recommending the plan proposed for
adoption by the motion.
Mr. TURNER having replied,
The amendment was put and carried by 27 to 8, and
thus became the original motion.
Another amendment, proposed by Mr. Davis and
seconded by Mr. Rdgood, to the effect that the plan re-
commended by the Government surveyor, Mr. Penni-
thorne, be adopted, was rejected by 25 to 8.
The motion was then agreed to.
A protracted discussion ensued as to the manner in
which the plan thus agreed to would be communicated to
the Chief Commissioner of Works. The debate, which
was exceedingly animated, and somewhat personal and
disorderly, was occasioned by the manner iu which the
president and officers of the board were reported to have
been received and " lectured " by Sir Benjamin Hall
when presenting the plan for the main intercepting drein-
age some days back. Though the president did not make
any official communication to the board (for reasons
stated by him) relative to his reception by the Chief
Commissioner, and even expressed his readiness to lay
the present resolution of the board. before Sir B. Hall,
the fact that the president was badly received was in-
dignantly commented upon by Mr. Wright, Mr. H. L.
Taylor, and several other hon. members, who neverthe-
less reserved to themselves the right of still freer com-
ment when the matter came in a regular way before the
board. Other hon. members, as Messrs. D'lffanger and
Douiton, asserted that the Chief Commissioner was in-
capable of treating the president with any discourtesy,
and refused to argue the affair further until the president
made his report, which, for reasons which the board ap-
preciated, be was not inclined to do at present, unless the
board unequivocally intimated its desire to that effect.
Eventually, a resolution passed to the effect that the pre-
sident, clerk, engineer, and two other members should
lay the plan for the new street before Sir B. Hall. Mr.
H. L. Taylor then moved, that Messrs. D'lffanger and
Nicholay (the representatives for Marylebone) be the two
members accompanying the president. This proposition
was received with laughter and cries of "No, no." How-
ever, Mr. Taylor persisted in his motion, and Mr.
Nicholay declared he was ready to go, but suggested the
undesirability of appointing the two representatives for
Merylsbone t 3 wait upon the member for that constitu-
ency, and Mr. D'lffanger said that considered such a
motion rather in the light of an insult than as a compli-
ment to himself and Mr. Nicholay.
An extremely confused conversation resulted, and some
of the members (as Mr. Wilkinson) declared that the
whole proceedings of the last twenty minutes tended to
make the board appear highly ridiculous in the eyes of
the public, and must be stopped. Several gentlemen
were then named, but declined the post, and ultimately
a motion was carried, empowering the president to name
the two members who were to accompany him. Mr.
Wright (who had at first refused to go) and Mr. Harris
were then nominated by the president, and the proceed-
ings of the day were brought to a close at five o'clock.

Subjoined is the estimate for the new street, as
adopted by the board
" Estimate of the cost of forming a new street, from Stam-
ford-street, Blackfriars•road, .to Ited Cross-street,
Borough, according to plan B B.
" Outlay:
Purchases of property, goodwills, &c E 311,939
10 per cent. for contingencies 31,198
2,750 feet of sewer, paving, &e 6,875 _

" Return.

By property resold £18,817
By sale of ground rents, 4,263 feet 127,890
By sale of old materials 6,240

•£3G0,462

----- 152,947

Net cost 4197,115
"Estimate of the cost of forming curved junction with
High-street (near York-street) from Red Cross-street.
" Outlay.
Purchases of property, goodwills, &c £152,148
10 per cent. for contingencies 15,214
800 feet of sewer, paving, &c 2,000
-2169,382

"Return.

By property resold . .., 5.!5',263
By sale of ground rents, 1,250 feet 37,500
By sale of old materials 3,013

45,806

£123,56
197,115

320,671

By Government Grant. . .

Total net cost of plan B B with curved junction £230,671
"FREDK. MARRABLE, Superintending Architect."