The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-19

BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

large lumber o. papers and petitions received
And referred, amongs; which petition OF the iahaoi
sAns Of Staten Island for ferry slip at the Battery
communication received from the City Hail Com
nSscDers Ia which they being unable BY ,hs
terms and provisions OF the act 20 perform active
duties towards the ompshmert OF the ot thereof,
without the cooperation of the municipal government OF
0h city, they made communication 70 the Common
Ounci Nay a. 1851 stating their readiness TO commence
heir duties and requesting such action the part Of The
esmmon Council might be deemed proper 70 give effect
- the said act that having received respocse so-y
sent N second communication in July OF tie necessary
cooperation, but thst that application was also ursuccess
hl The Commissioners, actused By desire TO acleis
Aenselyes rom any charge or inpsa Q. hav'ng ne
Board :he subject and their request 70 meet AMI
oonfer with COMMITTEES from the Common Council Ne
tsrsed 70 Committee ON Lands and Places.
rRoPonnoN pQUAIIzE THE SALARIES OF TEE CITY OFF,
The following resolution was offered -
whereas, II appears from the recent message Of Is
Ronor the Mayor the salaries paid 70 the officers OF
d. srtnents have Seen increased within the last
yeayx from $1,000 70 over 5000 ooV; and otherwse
appearing many snecues exist thas could wnoIs ae.a
believed BY his Honor the Mayor taat the puoic ous
be better performed fer the honor ana ecd %
tanned by ofica. than fer salary, and oengshe &C.
sire Of The Council 70 reduce the expenses now
Incurred where IL Is prActcsble and 10 exact fair
equivalent services 70 the city for the LIBERAL salaries
now paid % is numerous ofhcia.s therefore, ne it
Resolved That with view 70 secure economical ID
sutss snd EXPENSES attending the same be reerrsd 20
she Committee Salaries and Offices 20 inquire into the
duties and salaries now paid 10 all persons holding Office
ander the city charter, with " equaze ana define
the same, ana the services rendered canno, De
formed at an expense much less THAI that now paid
Adopted. "a
ANNUAL REPORT THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF rHx NEW YoRx
rRs DEPARTMENT I'LL.
Tho following communication received from tie
Chief Engineer OF the Fra Department.
OFFICE CiuEy EScISEzx FIRE DEPARTMENT,
u elizabeth SrRKEr, Fec. II 1868.
loMB HosoRAmR COMMON COUNCIL, CRY or New YORK.
Sent. meD-By tho ordinances Of the city it becomes
my duty as chic: engineer 70 present to your oosy an
he city Of New York Il one yesrSrom this date that
Twas selected As chief engineer and submit for your
department. and statistics that will exhibit prosperous
and efficient Management Of ts affairs under my dlrect IN.
Upon assuming the duties OF my responsible position,
gave srit and rigid investigation into the discipline,
efficiency and condition of the department. aud have from
Tine 70 time ound necessary to make such alterations
my Judgment demanded 20 secure prompt AMI
ygant services from this reliable volunteer department
OF or city government
gura,ion into the Office Of chief engineer, found in
unqualified TO meet the exgences OF the depart
men prepared 20 any sudden FOR their
services. BY adopting sy stem of personal inspection,
have been enabled after much labor In placing nearly all
Ds rs soSa % a
compsh what absolutely needed has been large but
he smoan. expended has been more thsn compensated
BY increased efficiency, and consequently less loss or
aansge TO the property oil our citizens
The state Of the department. In relation TO good order
and discipline has been equaed in it's history aud
lean say fact, that rowdysm among fire companies
has become entirely unknown Tor which We are some
what indebted to- he pre- mpt action of the Fire Comms
siopers whe in this particular have OF vast benefit
to;he department
me department of fourteen engineers eighteen
hundred city members Of engine companies twelve
hur dred and nty seven members OF hose companies and
four hundred and fifty members OF hook aud ladder
oompapies ing total Of three thousand five hundred
and nfy men, berg increase of four hundred and
seventy the number stated in the last report OF
The above are divided into forty-eght engine oom-
Eanes, sixty hose companies, ard fifteen hook and ai
There are forty nine eugines in good condition nine
ordinary, one building and two rebuilding forty three
hose carriages good condition. sixteen ornrry eleven
hook and ladder trucks in good condition, and Our ord
nary twenty hose tenders in good condition. seven
There is in use in the department thirty three thousand
four hundred feet Of hose good order thirty On
thousand four hundred fifty feet in ordinary condition.
and thousand four hundred feet in very bal condition
NrNpxR KAcH COMPANY IL ALLOWED.
First class companies are entitled 70.
Seconi class engine companies entitled
Third class engine companies are entitled 70 .o0
Hook and ladder companies are entitled o......"..So
eer 1ssou,on adopted by the Board Of Coancimcn
October 20 1885, and by the Board Of Aldermen, Dccem
Der 81, 1856.
am grataed TO be able To report that large decrease
IN the amount of losses by fire has resulted during my
Of the duties Of chief engineer, and submit
the suboned comparative figures as the schedule "a loss
Total amount loss by nres for 1885, last annual
report Of CHIEF engineer ar. "a, 1857 10 :,s
Decrease in S,ios
LOCATIONS DOWN TOWN
The Leases OF several OF the houses occupied by
companies the lower section Of the city will shortly ex
pe the services of these companies cannot I'M
der any circumstances be dispensed with, II necessary
that some measures should be taken at early day 10
provide them with suitable locations The great amount
az property and merchandise located below Chambers
be position Of security IN
ton 20 fires; and Il IL matter requiring prompt acton
from your honorable BODY, to prevent SERIOUS anu asas
dstricts The scanty population below Chambers street
the Organization and continuance Of Ore compa
pies down matter OF great difficulty, and as the
duty required frequent and laborous, the accomnoda
ous are Of suitable character 10 keep IRE organ
zAiion together would respectfully recommend that
p,ron Of tho unoccupied public property In the lower
OF the city be appropriated Tor TINS purpose, ana
suitable buildings erected thereon. trust that my sug
s.rsns this respect will receive the attention that the
urgency OF the case demands
HOOK AND IApDEE Duty Town.
Tho department has, in measure, suffered IN is en-
ccncy by the want Of proper accommodations Tor hook
and LADDER companies dong duty down town There
limit Il tho seventh and Eighth districts, and for
time past the efficiency OF this company has been serious
II mpa red from want OF adequate number OF men 10
have consequently ordered a hook and ladder com
pany tina. Is located within convenient dElaecs OF ,he
Eighth district 10 do duty in the lower section OF the cy
and have found their services TO have proved valuable
upon every occasion.
HOok Fuu lAihti tuulehS W ehe mus 'h'
Gent energetic the department. have been out e
yicefor time in Of there not being loca
ton provided for them by the Common Council The house
formerly occupied by this company pronounced unsafe
by the Fire wardens, aud was taken down by order Of the
Mayor last summer since winch time, this company
have nos performed Gre duty. II " ecossary that imme
iase shcud be taken " urovde location for
pcok and ladder Company No A. 70 enable The company
a resume active service. Several hook and ladder
pa,y ocated in the upper section u the city volunteered
70 riorm duty DOM town, and accepted their services
in consequence OF tho emergencies Of the case.
LOCATION roR APPARATUS DOWN row..
The locations occupied BY several companies down
town under lease from private owners, have or shortly
will cxpire without any provision having been made for
renewed purchase Of property 10 continue their
tpdspcnsabe services W ths department
rho following companies should receive, at early
day as possible tbc attention Of your body Ia relation TO
trovidinr permanent and suitable lOoatuns;-
Engine Compa- No. 5S--lease already expired
C. No IL arnirnI