The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-10

parties OF the first part, or their proper agent or
agents. TO that effect provided that H. IN mplanoe
with the directions Of the sad parties Of the first part
the whole number of hours during which the said
lamps, portion of them. are kept burning in any
year shall exceed the average number Of hours during
which the public lamps in the tcty OF New
York have been kept burning during the last
five years prior to the date of this contract.
(Which the parties hereto estimate to be. and
fix ut. two thousand and three hundred hours.)
then IN that case the said parties Of the second part
shall be entitled to claim and secure for such add
tonal number Of hours during which the public
lamps, portion of them in the district aforesaid
are kept burning in accordance with the DIRECTIONS
OF the said parties, of the first part, an additional
compensation equivalent 10 pro rata increase OF
the compensation heretofore allowed, proportioned
to the increased number OF hours beyond the said
average numbers"
1t would seem from the extract above quoted, that
the parties to this contract were Of opinion that
the time would cone when it would be deemed
necessary or advisable to change the times Of light
ing and extinguishng the lamps, and that they in
tended to provide notwithstanding to the city
the right to make such alteration its wants conve
nience might seem to require IT, in the opinion OF the
Common Council, it should be deemed necessary or
advisable TO make any change in the times of Lighting
or distinguishing the public lamps and they SO direct,
this department will cheerfuly comply with their in
structions do not, however, believe in hasty legis
lation. The public mind should be fully informed
much importance as deem this to be in pecuna-
~ sense, as well as for public convenience. To
have New York lighted well, and economically, that
1t may compare in this particular favOraby with any
city in the world, is my most earnest wish. and am
ever ready to receive and adopt any practical views
ON the subject that may lead to SO desirable result
have obtained the following statement in regard
10 Lighting the different cities Of Great Britain. which
believe to be accurate:-
The public lamps of Liverpool arc lighted every
night in the year. The average number OF hours Ia
1920.
In Manchester the lamps are lighted every nigh.
In winter but in summer they omit moonlight nights.
say five nights in each moon. They are lighted hal
an hour after sunset and extingushed half an hour
before sunrise and burn about 800 hours per year.
In London, Birmingham, aud other cities, the
lamps are lighted every night and burn from sunset
to sunrise. The average is IL hours per night, or
1850 hours per year.
been able TO ascertain. The city of Brooklyn pays
the Gas Company 81 so per Thousand feet for tho
gas consumed in the street lamps; Albany. q so per
Thousand feet; Boston 81 so per thousand Feet and
New York, about 81 20 per thousand feet.
If the public lamps in the city Of New York were
lighted every night in the year, they would burn
about 3 500 hours II we were to omit seven moon
light nights, Tor what the almanac calls moonlight
nights) in summer, it would reduce the number TO
1852 hours Then each lamp would cost the city
II lor 5sOO hours ........., 81 q per year.
Being m increase on the present cost Of IS or 80
At Sl5 pr an for $500 hrs the cost $122,7 90
AT S2s 6s 1852 g 1p3.7s7 IL
y AZ ~
which would be an increase on the present cost of
sSO,039 So for gas alone.
For oil lamps the increase would be in the same
ratio. on appears to be constantly advancing in
price, at least such has been the case since have
occupied my present official position The last oil
contract awarded by me was for one hundred and
twenty seven cents per gallon, which would make
the cost of each lamp about SIG per annum, for
1900 hours. II for 800 hours, the cost would be
SIG 44--an increase of ST. 1872 IL.
6S23 oil lamps, 2 500 hours, at Sl6 ~ &lO0 163 90
Do. do. 1852 do, at $25 70. It's 055 10
Do do. $500 do, at $26 A. lS0,400 Il
Which would be an increase of s7l, 1882 II for oil.
Making in ali for gas. ............... sSO.039 50
DO. do. oil ................. II 1872 IL
Total increase for lighting. .... sl5l I'll Ga
From sunset to sunrise, per annum.
have issued proposals for 1000 additional gas
posts, the cost OF which will be about $24 each tn
purchase put up, and prepare for lighting, or an in
crease OF $4,000 on the above for gas posts alone.
when ready; and at present cost OF lighting, for 1900
hours, viii be Sl5 ,0o0-being an additional cost OF
present expense for lighting of $4,000 Ii for $500
hours s24,TSc or an increased expense the above
calculation Of StS $50.
Complaints are constantly being made through the
pubic press OF the omission on the part Of OF
the lamplehters not properly lighting the oil lamps
The Superintendent of Streets and Lamps, who has
the control Of the lighting &C.. cannot remedy any
jut cause q complaint unless properly informed Of
the fact. Such complaint must be made at the Office
oil the Commissioner Of Streets and Lamps or at the
ohlce OF the Superintendent of Lamps, 1919 Mercer
street, Instead OF at the Office of the Chief Of Police
The ordinances regulating the executive depart
inents section 304 speaking of the duties Of the Su
periDtendent Of Lamps and Cas- reads as follows:-
He shall forthwith report to the Commissioner of
Streets and Lamps all violations of any contract for
supplying the city with oil or gas, tor Lighting OF the
public lamps, and every omission or neglect on the
part OF any person whose duty it is to clean. TRIM
light the same and if sach omission or neglect shall
occur on the part of any policeman or other officer OF
the police department, he shall in like forth
with report the same 70 the Mayor
would now respectfully call your attention to the
so frequently urged by the Chief Of Police in his
reports, and reiterated by Mayors Woodhull and
kingsland To light the piers, &C., as recommend
ed is impractieabe; 70 be sure the conducting pipes
may be run along the docks, and the iron posts put
up, but how long would they stand How long
would the pipes be Of any service II there was a
scdity about our piers, If they were built OF stone,
as the docks Of the European cities are the posts
could be made to stand after being put up aud the
pipes perform their service. Bet here where the
piers are built Of timber, they constantly require re-
pairing, being often broken down settled from the
immense amount OF merchandise permitted to re-
main upon them, together with the constant Jam
ming OF vessels against the piers and the numerous
carts against the string pieces, they would not last
fortnight. 1t Is, however. a matter Of much impor
lance, and If not acted upon shall refer to it again
before the close Of the present session.
Before any action be taken upon this measure Of
lighting the docks and piers with gas. it would he
Wei TO remember that there are some lao odd piers
each pier would require at least two lamps be side
one between each pier on the bulkheads, which
would make some 400 odd lamps more. which, at the
present cost of SIS per lamp per year. would be
$500, or $40 i67 GO at S2t As per lamp for $500
hours, which, together with the additional expense
ofputtng up the posts, &C.. the docks and piers
will cost not less than s2j 600 for the first year.
ii will be seen at glance by your honorable body
that the above estimates do not take in the expense
OF lighting hose and engine houses court houses
markets and a other public buildings lighted by
the city, nor the expenses incidental 10 labor, cart
age, DC, &c.
The contract between the Corporation Of the
city OF New York and the New York Gas Light
Company viii expire on the 18th Of May next, 1858.
The necessity OF an early arrangement to meet the
emergency hope, win receive your attention aud
prompt action. Respectfully submitted,
HENRY ARcULARIrs, Jr.
Commissioner Of Streets and Lanfe