New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-09

"A other details. the duties appurtenant
knsssshaye been faithfully discharged n.
ia Sewer Contract Clerk IN the Engineer Du-
isscpds the opening Of the estimates, and he pro-
fsu eth the suot state Of the result inns Is an
1Dccd before the dispersion OF the Attending oncers
INC bidders Under The direction Vi 'ne hnSlhcer
On. nm the contracts for sewers ahes OUT tis CIR
cstes for the assesscrs ana az, " NV
pVDL ,nade according TO law, aud well performs
AZ labor belonging to his statioh' tia. ;.-.;
IT, Asitant Engineer makes the scientific invest-
..Gons for sscenaning the quantity OF water con-
49, 4, stenm-engines, factories, &c. His duties he
Nv on the line Of the aqueduc, and he pays
III Or repsirs of the aqueduct, fencing, &c, un-
~ lie orders Of the Engineer.
THE revenue this year has been increased over the
- Inv The sum Of S65,77O "a cents, which has been
In IN by the Register at the counter OF his Bureau
S coIected by him from the extra rates, with the
% assiduous, unremting and perseverng attention.
II with ability in the details of his office. This par
sruar increase, and the rapid augmentation Oh the
syenue from It's commencement, satisiy inc most
sncune expectations; attributed, IN the nIst pace,
tbe extraordinary increase Of the city IN ITS popa
an trade and manufactures, 1t may be asserted with
eahdence that success 50 great must derive p0r-
20 ~ its results from the firm consistent and upright
duiustratiOn of ts Affairs from the first organization
[tbe Department which has continued TO increase IN
s4ainty to the present day, under the management
q he officers, selected Sy responsible authority
laced in permanent situations, and invested with
sed to their fidelity and prudence.
The general and minute knowledge Of their respect
e duties, which the officers, clerks and men belong
. to this department have obtained, by their steady
GpOyment, has been hghly Denenclai 10 the conduct
fits affairs.
The waste Of the water in streets and buildings open
observation has been repressed and greatly dimIn-
ed for the present but the Improvement can be
sintaiaed only by an untinchlng collection Of the
,aalties from all delinquents. The probably much
,ster waste which results from the careless, profuse,
IA excessive use Of the water in families amounting
ssn enormous quantity actually wasted, cannot be
saehed. without invading privacy which II Is too
lHcate an exercise Of the authority cOnfded to the
gard to attempt. The careful use and reasonable
nrgumption of the water in families must, therefore,
left to the moral of those who govern domes-
establishments, and in mercantile houses and busi-
rs officer, to that class Of men who are known TO be
Ifuenced in their particular occupations by the die
xtes of night, reason and equal justice. But never
ess the Board feel that they are not absoved from
Ne duty Of eGactng the penalties Tor waste whenever
stsse Of delinquency is discovered.
Meters have been placed on sxty-eight large build
sgs, and have operated benefcally in determining
AZ quantity of water consumed; and the Board pro-
yse to extend the system in special cases of hotels,
kctories &c. circumstances may require, but nave
M vet become convinced that the exercise of proper
'GscretOn would allow of their being introduced into
yate houses because the expense for the whole city,
ind In proportion for part, would amount, at the
recent prices for meters and for putting up TO some
ling like 81 900 OOO and for their repairs and super
tendence to more than 5000 900 per annum. This is
q expenditure which the Corporation would not incur,
aher at once or by degrees and which, for the fol-
wing reasons it would be equally mpoltic, unless
bsoutely necessary, to impose upon consumers in
smiles The revenue has been constantly and largely
nreasing under system which has acquired the same
son Of many years Of experience IN It's favor. No
,eer has vet been invented sufficiently inexpensive
dgenera use, and at the time strong enough to
ss2d the frosts Of Winter. The revenues are ut
resent payable at the counter in the Office in advance.
Under the meter system they would have to be col
sced from consumers, certainly in part by officers Of
lie Board, quarterly or half yearly, after the meter
bad furnished the quantity consumed involving delay
in the collections, and large additional expense. The
salaries ana expenses of the Collecting Bureau are at
present more than covered by the amount of the in
crest received on the rents unpaid at the times pre-
sclbed by law, as the return exhibits, viz:
Nrsr1M MAJ