REPAIRS OF THE STREETS & THOROUGHFARES, & PAVING WORKS GENERALLY.

I have to call the special attention of the vestry to the subject of the repairs of the Roads in this parish, which involves a very large annual outlay, and requires the greatest amount of care, both as regards the quantity and quality of the materials, and also as to the proper season for their application.

My past experience has taught me that this portion of my duty requires constant supervision and attention. I have computed the length of the roads in this parish, exclusive of the turnpike roads, at about 53 miles, and I am happy to state, allowing for the new roads adopted by the parish, the last annual outlay has been less in comparison to the previous years, this may be accounted for by the fact of the roads having become much harder, from regular scavengering, and the better form which allows the surface water to drain into the channels.

The roads may be classed in three sections, viz.: those of great traffic, which are repaired with granite; those having less traffic, which are repaired with flints; and bye roads and squares of little traffic, which are repaired with gravel. I have considered opinions from time to time expressed by the Paving Committee as to the more general use of granite for the roads, and shall lose no opportunity in carrying out their wishes wherever I can judiciously do so.

I have found many beneficial results, and much saving from the constant employment of a mason ordered by the Paving Committee to be added to the staff of workmen, for the purpose of attending to the repairs of the trenches opened or disturbed by the different gas and water companies.

The following is a list of some of the principal footways, which have been paved, viz.: St. John’s Church, Aubrey Chapel, Gloucester Road, Edge Terrace, and Vine Place, Ladbroke Road, Old Norland Road, Kensington Church, Yard, Queen’s Road, Northern, The Mall, St. Peter’s Church, High Row, Silver Street, Portobello Terrace, Clifton Terrace, together with several other minor works, also the laying crossings, pitching cab stands, and general repairs.

The following are streets which have been paved and repaired at the expense of the owners, and adopted by the Vestry: Kensington Park Road North, Ovington Square, Ovington Terrace, St. John’s Terrace, Portland Road North, Clarendon Place, Elgin Crescent, Dartmoor Street, Stanley Gardens, Stanley Crescent, Lansdown Road North, Chepstow Villas West, Ladbroke Terrace, Ladbroke Road, Westbourne Grove West.