The Sun.
London, England, 1861-01-12 00:00:00

TILE PROGRESS OP THE
_3/UIN DRAINAGE WORKS.

Mr. Bazalgette, the chief engineer, presenieda
report as to the main drainage works, which stated
that the bulk of the workel had of necessity been
stopped for a considerable liortion of the past month
on account of the frost vhich had set in. The
northern high level sewer, which had been relet to
Messrs. Brassey, also awai ed a change of weather.
The arrangements for placing Mr. I+ urness in pos-
session
,of the land along the whole File of the
northern outfall sewer art nearly completed, and
this work will be commenced at the end of the
present month. The Itanelagh storm overflow
sewer across Hyde-park progresses satisfactorily,
works to the amount of £5.700 having been com-
pleted, in addition to the underpinning of the
old sewer to the value of .i.4Q88. On the south
side of the-river, the southern high level sewer is
now in progress at five different places—three on
the main line, and two on the Dulwich or Effra
branch. Some remarkable strata of concreted shells
and fossil bones were found during the progress
of these works. The southern outfall sewer, which
was commenced in April last, continues to be
carried on in a business-like and satisfactory
manner. The tunnel under Woolwich is about one
mile in length, and varies from .45 to 75 feet in
depth. Four shafts have been sunk, and 2,253 feet
of tunnel completed, the headings being lighted
with gas, and the miners working day and night.
The tunnel will probably be completed next autumn.
At the east end of Woolwich they were working in
sand, and at the west end in chalk. The shaft in
Sun-alley is .59 feet de: p, and is sunk in to the chalk,
and but little water is Met with here. That in
Howard's-yard, Powis-street, is 60 feet deep, and
the lower half of the sewer is constructed in the
chalk, the upper half in sand. The rest of the work
is, with trifling exceptions, being constructed in
open cutting; and about 6,257 feet had been com-
pleted, making 8,510 feet in tunnel, and open cut-
ting. The value of the work done is about £BO,OOO.
The contractor has provided 12 steam engines, a
steam-hoist, a tramway across the marshes, from
the outfall to Woolwich Arsenal, and a locomotive
for the conveyance of materials, also three observa-
tories for setting out the tunnel. The average depth
is about 25 feet, and the cutting, generally is
through safid and peat, but the sewer is mostly
built upon concrete, resting on the gravel, and much
water has been encountered. The marsh ditches are
being carried over the sewer in channels of brick-
work in cement. The land purchased by the board
at the outlet for the engine-house, engines, &c., is
about 34 acres. The works for the low level sewer,
under the Surrey Consumers' Gas Company's pro-
perty, now progresses . satisfactorily, the water
having been subdued and the excavations nearly
completed. The old east outlet was of varying
form and size, and in a very dilapidated condition.
It is now being reconstructed, and the sewage con-
veyed through iron pipes to low water, and this
will form a storm overflow in connection with the
low level sewers. A steam engine and pumps have
been erected here for the relie of the low level dis-
tricts, pending the completion of the main drainage
works. It is at present pumping at a disadvantage
into the temporary outlet, and it having been found
that the present engine is capable of working more
pumps, the board have recently ordered another
large pump, which would give greater relief when
the permanent outlet is completed.
The report was received.
THE NORTHERN MAIN OITTFALL SEWER.

The following communications were received in
reference to the 'outfall for the northern outfall

sewer :

"Admiralty, Jan. 9.
" Sir—l am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of
the 13th of December last,submitting plans of the proposed
outfalls into the River Thames at Barking-reach, of tho
northern portion of the sewage of the metropolis, and re-
questing their lordships' assent to the same. In reply lam
directed to acquaint you that my lordships will assent to
the proposed new outfall, on condition that the discharge of
sewage shall not take place until one hour after the time of
high water. On duplicates of the drawings herewith re-
turned being forwarded, assent will be given in the usual
way am sir, your obedient servant.
" W. G. ROMAINE."
The following was received on the same subject
from the Thames Conservancy Board :

"Thames Conservancy-offices, Tower-hill,
Dec. 21. 1860.

" Sir,—l have the honour to inform you that your letter
of the 13th instant, with the plans accompanying the same,
of the works of the shore of the river for the northern main
outfall sewer, have been laid before the Conservators of the
River Thames, and I am directed by them to signify their
approval of the plans for such works, and to state teat the
works according to the said plans will not interfere with
the navigation of the River Thames.—l have the honour
to be, sir, your obedient servant,
"E. BURSTEL, Secy.
" J. Pollard, Esq., Metropolitan Board of Works,
Greek-street, Soho."
These communications were received and ordered
to be entered on the minutes.

Some other business having been disposed of, the
board adjourned.

TEE WESTERN BANK CASE.