Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-13

The report OF the cnlct engineer OF inc nIe
department, represents it to be in excellent
condition for efficiency, Notwithstanding the
large drain made upon the men for the war.
He repeats the recommendation for the build
ing of two or three reservoirs in some locali-
ties, and the Improvement of several natural
springs in other sections of the city, to reme-
dy the deficiency in the supply of water for
fires. The new house for the new steam fire
of leading hose have been purchased during
the year, to take the place of that worn out.
One thousand feet more were recommended
to be purchased. There have been SO alarms
of fire the past year, large number caused
by burning of barns beyond the limits of the
center district, in nearly every case apparent
ly the work of incendlares. The amount of
property destroyed has been about $52,500,
! 257 men in ten companies. There is one va
cancy in the board of engineers caused by
the enlistment of S. A. Goodspeed for the
war. The report closes by suggesting the
propriety of making it the duty of the high
way commissioner during the winter months,
| Immediately after the snow storms to clear
the snow away in such manner that the fire.
men can have unobstructed access to the n.y.
drants.
The aqueduct commissioners report repre-
sents the amount of bills delivered the city
treasurer, at $l73S 81. The amount of ex-
penditures for the year was Sl40l So; dis
count on bills for November 1861, $1l5 rs;
making the receipts above the expenditures.
1920 Al. January l, 1862, the amount Of
water in Bell pond was very small, and con-
tract was made with Mr.. William T. Merri-
field to pump water into it for one year, by
which means sufficiency of water was OBJ
tanned. The expense of operating the pumps
was much above the income from the amount
of water thereby afforded. During the past
five years, but very few new water takers have
been taken, but the amount of water used has
constantly increased. The water rates are
very defective, and need revision. Eighteen
months ago there were four water meters
purchased, and five more the past year, and
the water rates have been increased where
they have been placed, and in many places
enought to pay for the meter in twelve months.
The water required by the takers is much
more than can be supplied by Bell Pond in
most seasons, and a part of them must be
| shut off unless some other source of water is
obtained, in order to reserve sufficient for fire
purposes. There are now thirty inches AT
the gate, which the commissioners think is
enough to supply till May l.
| The commissioners of Hope Cemetery state
thatgreat improvements have been made in
the grounds during the year, and in fencing,
sc. The cost of fencing, the past year, has
been $567 so, or about So per rod; $57 25 of
this expense were paid by owners of adjacent
| improved land. The whole expenditures by
| the commissioners amounted to $653 50. The
| total receipts from all sources amount to
| 1888 II, showing balance in favor of the
| commissioners, over the expenditures, OF
! $234 81 which sum now remains to their
| credit IN the city treasury. The number of
lots sold within the year is 81, for the consid-
Grafton, in the aggregate, of S597.
The highway commissioner states the
amount standing to the credit of his depart
ment at Sl2,004 %, and the payments in all
| $l0,601 81, showing an unexpended balance
of 81 ,402 IS.
a communication was received from the
directors of the free public library, stating
that that board had organized for the current
year by the choice of Hon. Stephen Salisbury
as president, and William A. Smith, Esq.,, as
clerk. The annual report of the directors,
enclosing the librarians report, was submitted
and accepted.
Both boards went into joint convention at
eight o'clock for the election of a city solicit
| tor auditor, and commissioner of Hope Gem
etery. For city solicitor, Stephen p Twiss
was elected on the seventh ballot, receiving
10 votes, to s w. A. Williams, and for w.
| w. Rice. On the first ballot the vote stood,
Twiss IL, Williams s, Rice 5, f. H. Dewey
| 3, and W. S. Davis l.
Gill Valentine was reelected city auditor,
receiving % votes, to 9 for IL. N. Tower
Hon. Isaac Davis was reelected commits
sioner of Hope Cemetary, receiving 26 votes,
to one for Edward Earle, and one for Harri-
| son Bliss.
The mayor was authorized to grant licenses
for exhibitions of a moral character, where no
| opportunity is afforded to apply to the board
of aldermen. The mayor was also authorized
to employ suitable person to have charge of
the clocks of the LIST and I'd parishes, at a
| compensation Of not over $25 for each clock.
| The city messenger was authorized to employ
page at an expense of not over $25. John
Morey was licensed to keep bowling
saloon on Norwich street, under the same
rules and regulations as last year.
Alderman Stoddard offered an order, which
was adopted, that complete sets of the city
documents since the organization of the city,
be printed in one volume, one copy to be fur
nished for the city clerk, one for the public
library, one for the American Antiquarian So
ciety, one for the mayor and aldermen, and
one for the common council. Also that copies
of the City Directory for 1868 be furnished as
usual to various members of the city govern
ment.
The following measurers of wood and bark
were elected in concurrence: Giles Williams
at Lincoln square, Charles H. Whiting at
Washington square, Charles Marvin at the
city hall, John H. Goes at New Worcester,
Sibey Putnam at Green street. George A.
Gates was elected field driver. Each board