Metropolitan Board of Works
In 1837, a motion to create an elected authority covering the entire metropolis failed when wealthier districts like Marylebone and Westminster voted against it. These areas resisted losing their local powers and keeping rates low for themselves. The government of London remained chaotic with over 100 key authorities holding statutory or customary powers. Much territory overlapped between these bodies, making coordination difficult. Providing a rate-paid service sometimes required consent from many different groups. Half the population of two counties adjoining the medieval-walled City lived within just a few miles of it. Commissions of peace in three counties held authority over clearly urban areas. Powerful parish council vestries operated beneath them across Middlesex, Surrey, and Kent. In 1854, the Royal Commission on the Corporation of the City of London proposed dividing the area into seven boroughs. That proposal was abandoned before the next year brought change.
Parliament passed the Metropolis Management Act 1855 which created the Metropolitan Board of Works effective as of December that year. It took over responsibilities from the short-lived Metropolitan Buildings Office and Metropolitan Commission of Sewers established in 1845 and 1848 respectively. The board formally came into being on the 1st of January 1856 when it assumed powers, duties and liabilities of those previous commissions. It was not to be directly elected but consisted of members nominated by vestries who were principal local authorities. Larger vestries had two members while the City of London had three. A few tiny parishes co-convened into district boards for nominating members to the MBW. There were 45 members who then elected a Chairman who became a member ex officio. First nominations took place in December and the Board held its first preliminary meeting on the 22nd of December 1855 where John Thwaites was elected chairman. The board covered what the 1851 census designated as London, an enlarged variant of Bills of mortality areas fixed in 1726.
Most of London's waste flowed into the Thames resulting in horrendous smells during summer months. In 1855 and 1858 there were especially bad summers with the latter known as The Great Stink. Joseph Bazalgette served as Chief Engineer previously working with the Metropolitan Commission of Sewers. He oversaw creation of core London sewerage system including main and street sewers which solved the problem. William Dibdin acted as chief chemist for the MBW and conceived biological treatment of sewage to oxidize waste. From 1869 the MBW bought all private bridges across its section of the Tideway and freed them of tolls. It rebuilt Putney, Battersea, Waterloo and Hammersmith Bridges. The board funded tree-studded surface in three sections of Bazalgette's Thames Embankment from 1864. In 1878 Bazalgette drew up plans for a new bridge east of London Bridge estimated at £1.25 million though Treasury refused help by upping coal and wine duties.
In 1856 the MBW obtained an amending act giving power to provide parks pleasure-grounds and open spaces subject to parliamentary approval. Finsbury Park was acquired in 1857 and formally opened in 1869. Southwark Park followed acquisition in 1864 before opening in 1869. Victoria Embankment Gardens opened in 1870 while Leicester Square opened in 1874. Wormwood Scrubs vested in the MBW in 1879 and Hampstead Heath acquired in 1886. Battersea Park Kennington Park Victoria Park and gardens surrounding Bethnal Green Museum taken over from Office of Works in 1887. Clapham Common transferred to board ownership in 1887 and Wandsworth Common duties transferred in same year. Ravenscourt Park arrived in 1888 with Clissold Park following in 1889. Dulwich Park laid out by MBW but opened by successor London County Council in 1890. Under Metropolitan Commons Act 1878 the MBW obtained right to purchase common lands to preserve public access.
The knub of scandal arose from MBW purchase of old Pavilion music hall in Piccadilly Circus in 1879 when site thought necessary for Shaftesbury Avenue construction. Music hall proprietor R.E. Villiers leased the site while paying small sub rosa amount to F.W. Goddard Chief Valuer for favorable treatment. In 1883 Villiers met with Goddard and Thomas James Robertson Assistant Surveyor to ensure remainder granted for new Pavilion. They agreed to help him in return for one corner becoming public house under landlordship of W.W. Grey brother of Robertson though not apparent. November 1884 saw Robertson tell Villiers time had come make formal offer to rent new site. Villiers offered £2,700 ground rent per year while Board instructed George Vulliamy superintending architect to value site. Vulliamy left practically all work to subordinates Goddard and Robertson who prepared report valuing ground rent at £3,000 which Villiers immediately accepted. This was hurriedly pushed through despite higher offer of £4,000. Ground rent paid £2,650 for largest part and £350 for corner. Goddard continued collecting secret sums from Villiers while Grey took cheap corner plot selling existing pub on Tichborn Street dividing £10,000 profit between Goddard and Robertson. December 1886 saw Villiers sell Pavilion giving £5,000 to Goddard.
The Goddard-Robertson scandal revealed by series articles in Financial News beginning the 25th of October 1886. Board undertook incompetent investigation under Chairmanship of Magheramorne finding Robertson injudicious but nothing worthy severe censure. Lord Randolph Churchill motion led House Commons vote the 16th of February 1888 establish Royal Commission inquire into Board. Commission headed by Lord Herschell found main allegations correct indeed understated though repudiated view corruption endemic. President Local Government Board Charles Ritchie announced elected County Councils created throughout United Kingdom without much opposition Bill clauses divorced MBW ambit from Quarter Sessions turn it county with elected London County Council. Metropolitan Board Works abolished by Local Government Act 1888; London County Council elected the 21st of January 1889 assume new powers the 1st of April. LCC due assume financial responsibility while MBW began award large pensions retiring officers and salaries transferring staff. Last weeks proved most inglorious period as MBW allowed Samaritan Hospital Marylebone use additional 12 feet pavement LCC opposed. Finally received tenders Blackwall Tunnel decided award contract final meeting despite LCC request leave decision to them. Chairman replied the 18th of March 1889 intended continue prompting LCC appeal government exercise power abolish MBW bring LCC existence the 21st of March 1889.
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Common questions
When was the Metropolitan Board of Works established and what act created it?
The Metropolis Management Act 1855 created the Metropolitan Board of Works effective as of December 1855. The board formally came into being on the 1st of January 1856 when it assumed powers duties and liabilities of previous commissions.
Who served as Chief Engineer for the Metropolitan Board of Works during the Great Stink?
Joseph Bazalgette served as Chief Engineer for the Metropolitan Board of Works while previously working with the Metropolitan Commission of Sewers. He oversaw creation of core London sewerage system including main and street sewers which solved the problem.
Which parks did the Metropolitan Board of Works acquire between 1857 and 1890?
Finsbury Park was acquired in 1857 and Southwark Park followed acquisition in 1864 before opening in 1869. Victoria Embankment Gardens opened in 1870 while Leicester Square opened in 1874 and Wormwood Scrubs vested in the MBW in 1879.
What caused the scandal involving the Metropolitan Board of Works purchase of the Pavilion music hall?
The scandal arose from MBW purchase of old Pavilion music hall in Piccadilly Circus in 1879 when site thought necessary for Shaftesbury Avenue construction. Music hall proprietor R.E. Villiers leased the site while paying small sub rosa amount to F.W. Goddard Chief Valuer for favorable treatment.
When was the Metropolitan Board of Works abolished and what replaced it?
Metropolitan Board Works abolished by Local Government Act 1888; London County Council elected the 21st of January 1889 assume new powers the 1st of April. LCC due assume financial responsibility while MBW began award large pensions retiring officers and salaries transferring staff.