The Portland daily press., 1867-09-25
The MydrOgraphic Surxey.


The attention Of all who are interested in
the development of Names unrivaled water,
power is called to the following circular.
OFFICE OF THE HYDRoGRAPHIc SURVEY,
PORTLAND, Sept. 10, 1867.
The attention of the Municipal Officers of
the several cities and towns Of Maine, Is re-
specially invited to the following statemeht
and suggestions:
Response to the Hy geographic Circular No.
3 is desired from every city town anu piti l.a
no water-power, small water-power, or large;
whether the power is all used, partially used,
or not used at ALL o.
nroeeed intellige ntly or iudciously to the i'm
nortant matter OF surveys, prior to the receipt
of answers to the inquiries embodied in the
circular referred to; for in few localities, adj
equate surveys have already been made, in
many partially made; whereas in none is it de-
sirable that the State appropriation should be
drawn upon for the determination of facts al
ready ascertained.
1t is believed that it will be greatly for the
interest OF every town possessed of water
power, to be represented in this years Report
which as the fist publication of an enterprise
quite unique in character, win be likely to re-
ceive more attention than any subsequent is
sue, and which will widely advertise the water
power represented in it, namely, that water
power respecting which we have the means
and facts furnished for its suitable exhibition
Ihe Secretary is happy to state that all in
formation required for our purposes from ex-
perts, beyond the State, NEUROLOGICAL meteor
illogical, geolog cal etc, has been rendered with
alacrity,l and by the first men of science in
their several departments. Special inquiries
also addressed to our own citizens, touching
various points of interest, have received imme-
date and respectful attention. On the basis
Of our experience thus far, the expectation is
entertained that all the facts required from our
various town officers likewise, will be forward
ed to this office with such promptitude as in
| the result to form a memorable exception to
the usual laggard progress of statistical collec-
tions.
Our circulars sent to parties beyondthe State,
have III several cases subsequently, made
known to us, failed to reach their destination.
Ii the municipal officers Of any city, town or
plantation in the State have not received doc
.umenis from this office, they are respectfully
! requested TO apprise the Secretary thereof
| forthwith. - i-aJ iu Gt nUr ta.lt
| In some cases the town officers find it con-
/ venlent to employ competent person to make
| returns in their behalf, In all such instances,
! they are requested to authenticate and endorse
tue document 18th their signatures.
| Where several powers occur ia close proxm-
! ity 10 one another, i'll series of descents
which are usually massed together under the
name of "the Falls" as the Ellsworth Falls,
| the Pejepscot Falls, specifications for each
power or fall i'll the series desired. as its To-
| ton with respect to the fall above or below its
| height. improvements including dam and
| mills, proprletorship, lay OF the land adjacent
ete. These details are required, as well as Il
statement of the falls as a whole, and as cap
| ability of Improvement as a whole F-N
ANY town that shall procure plan and pro-
| file OF its power, of suitable dimensions for in
| Sertion in q volume of the ordinary size of
| State publications, can have it appear in con-
| junction with the text statement, in our. re-
| port. Such an exhibit would be deemed de-
sirable, however, as is evident, only in case OF
large and important powers. Whenever this
form OF advertising their resources is had in
| view by any town, correspondence with this
office should be opened to the intent of mn-
! tual understanding and agreement.
The disposition has been expressed in various
localities to aid the Commission in the survey
of the power there situated 1t is suggested
that wherever this is carried into effect, il
will be done most economically for the par
ties concerned, and most satisfactorily with
respect to the efficacy of fhe enterprise, if the
| funds are placed i'll the hands of the Commiss-
ION, SO that the work may be done by its en-
1 gneers, and the resulting report be therefore
Official, and not looked upon as OK parie, as il
might be FURNISHED by merely local survey
or. The Commission will be glad to receive
/ such cooperation, and will put force at once
| upon any field thus designated for immediate
| survey reg nfif ' aifu.t -.et5ts
Ii town officers will furnish all the facts al
| their command, or accessible with some pains
| taking we shall be able out Of the material
Alone tomake such an exhibit as never has
been made of the water power OF any other
| equal or twice greater area in the world. Al
| best not more Than half of our domain can be
| reached by our circulars or can he represented
| IN our Report. We need all the facts at the
| earliest MOMENT possible; so long as a part are
| delayed, the whole work will be delayed.
aull -Ut.ssngag ssi7 WALTER WELLS,
Secretary HydrorraDhc Society