For work £95,539 19 3
(This item includes the cost
of supervision and compensation
for damages.)
The cost of surveys has been 6,332 19 9
Management 16,430 9 2
Loans 10,442 10 2
Contingencies 2,749 1 1
-------------
Total payments 131,494 19 5
Balance in hand £3,355 11 3
As an instance of the mismanagement of the sewers work of the
metropolis, it is but right that the subjoined document should be
published.
I need not offer any comment on the following “Return to an Address of
the Honourable the House of Commons, dated 28th July, 1851,” except
that I was told early in January, on good authority, that the matter
was now worse than it was when reported as follows:--
“_Privy Gardens, Whitehall Yard, Scotland Yard, &c., Public Sewer._
“With reference to the two orders of the Commissioners of Her
Majesty’s Woods, &c., I have the honour to state that, since the 15th
of November (when I last sent in a memorandum), I have frequently
visited the several Crown buildings affected by the building of
the main public sewer for draining Westminster; viz., the Earl of
Malmsbury’s, the Exchequer Bill Office, the United Service Museum,
Lord Liverpool’s, Mr. Vertue’s, Mr. Alderman Thompson’s, and Messrs.
Dalgleish’s.
“All these buildings have been more or less damaged by the
construction of the sewer; the Exchequer Bill Office, the United
Service Museum, and Mr. Vertue’s, in a manner that, in my opinion, can
_never be effectually repaired_.
“At Lord Malmsbury’s, the party wall next to the Exchequer Bill Office
has _moved_, as shown by some cracks in the staircase; but for this
house it may not be necessary to require more to be done than stopping
and painting.
“At the Exchequer Bill Office, the old Gothic groins have been cracked
in several places, and several settlements have taken place in the
walls over and near to where the sewer passes under the building.
The shores are still standing against this building, but it would
now be better to remove them; the cracks in the groins and walls
_can never be repaired_ to render the building so substantial as it
was before. The cracks in the basement still from month to month
show a very slight movement; those in the staircase and roof also
appear to increase. As respects this building, I would submit to the
Commissioners of Woods that it _would not be advisable to permit
the surveyors of the Commissioners of Sewers to enter and make only
a surface repair of plaster and paint_; but I would suggest that a
careful survey be made by surveyors appointed respectively by the
Board of Woods and the Commissioners of Sewers, and that a thorough
repair of the building be made (so far as it is susceptible of
repair), under the Board of Woods; the Commissioners of Sewers paying
such proportion of the cost thereof as may fairly be deemed to have
been occasioned by their proceedings.
“At the United Service Museum, the settlements on the side next the
sewer appear to me very serious.
“The house occupied by Lord Liverpool, as also Mr. Vertue’s house, of
which his Lordship is Crown lessee, were both affected, the former to
some extent, but not seriously; of the latter, the west front sunk,
and pulled over the whole house with it; but as respects these two
houses the interference of the Board is, I believe, unnecessary, Mr.
Hardwicke (one of the Sewer Commissioners) having, as architect for
Lord Liverpool, caused both to be repaired.
“A like repair has also been made in the kitchen offices of Mr.
Alderman Thompson’s house, where alone any cracks appeared.
“At Messrs. Dalgleish and Taylor’s, very serious injury has been done
to both their buildings and their trade. The Commissioners of Sewers
have a steam-engine still at work on those premises, and have not yet
concluded their operations there. Some of the sheds which entirely
fell down they have rebuilt; and others, which appear in a very
defective if not dangerous state, it is understood they propose to
repair or rebuild; but as eventually Messrs. Dalgleish and Taylor will
have a very heavy claim against them for interference with business,
and as the extent of damage to the buildings which has been done, or
may hereafter arise, cannot at present be fully ascertained, it would
probably be advisable to postpone this part of the subject, giving
notice, however, to the Commissioners of Sewers that it must hereafter
come under consideration.
(Signed) “JAMES PENNETHORNE.
“10th May, 1851.”
“_Sewer, Whitehall Yard, &c._
“Under the order of the Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Woods, &c.,
of yesterday’s date, endorsed on a letter from Mr. Tonna, I have
inspected the United Service Institution in Whitehall Yard, and find
most of the cracks have moved.
“The movement, though slight, and not showing immediate danger, is
more than I had anticipated would occur within so short a period
when I reported on the 10th instant. It tends to confirm the opinion
therein given, and shows the necessity for immediate precaution, and
for a thorough repair.
(Signed) “JAMES PENNETHORNE.
“16th May, 1851.
{Commissioners of Her
“SEYMOUR, {Majesty’s Woods, Forests,
“CHARLES GORE, {Land Revenues,
{Works, and Buildings.
“Office of Woods, &c.
“5th August, 1851.”