108 LOCAL ENGINEERING WORKS. 



14-incli brick work (according to the nature of the ground). 

 It has fully justified its construction by the discharge of a 

 large volume of flood water at times of fresh in the Frome. 



Black-Rock Culvert. — For some time subsequent to 

 the flood of March, 1889. there appeared to be a general feel- 

 ing in the city that the construction of this culvert should 

 be proceeded with under the powers of the Act of 1890 ; but 

 as time passed, and the effects of the flood were less strongly 

 remembered, doubts were freely expressed as to the necessity 

 for the large outlay, on the ground that the improved channel 

 of the Frome would effectually provide for the discharge of 

 flood water. At a meeting of the Town Council, at which a 

 formal vote became necessary, the resolution to proceed was 

 carried by so narrow a majority that the Floods Committee 

 hesitated to act upon the resolution, and at a subsequent 

 Council meeting it was resolved, on their recommendation, 

 that Sir John Coode should be called in to report on the 

 following points : — • 



" 1st. Whether the proposed Relief Culvert from Staple- 

 ton to the Black-Rock is necessary to entirely prevent flood- 

 ing from the Frome ? 



2nd. If so, whether it will be effectual? 



3rd. Is it the best scheme for effecting such prevention? 



" 4th. Whether it can be carried out for the Parliamen- 

 tary Estimates ? " 



Much time and care were devoted by Sir John Coode and 

 his partners to the investigation of the subject in all its 

 bearings, and the Rejoort was presented to the Council in 

 February of the present year, copies being distributed to 

 members of the Council, and abstracts of it appearing in the 

 local newspapers. The Report was eventually referred to 

 the Floods Committee for a statement of their views thereon, 



