Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-05-22

years 10 CODlpletS'
GENTS white shirts and full line Of
furnishing goods less than cost at Mack
Bros. & Bohm's. II
NICHOLSON PAvEMEST.-The following
is the report of Alderman Amis and City
Engineer Foster on the Nicholson pave
ment. as seen by them in several cities
of the West 1t was addressed to Mayor
LoAand and read before the Board Of
Aldermen last evening
We found, upon examination, that the
following amount OF Nicholson pavement
has been and is now being laid in the
cities visited by us:
In Louisville, KY, the present pave
ment is composed of a fine quality Of
limestone, peculiar to that section OF the
country, two squares of which are being
removed for the purpose of substituting
the Nicholson pavement.
In Cincinnati, Ohio, one-half lineal
mile of the Nicholson pavement has
been laid, and one and one-half miles
under contract; stone pavement being
removed in all cases to make place for it.
In Toledo, o., one linesl mile of the
Nicholson pavement has been laid, and
one mile more is under contract.
In Chicago, Ills, ten lineal miles have
been laid, and two streets are under con-
tract.
In Milwaukee, Wis, there have been
three lineal miles laid, and stone block
pavement removed in all the streets but
one to make place for it. The property
owners having once paid for the stone
pavement, voted to have the same re-
moved and the Nicholson substituted,
they paying for the change.
In St. Louis, Mo-, seven miles OF
Nicholson pavement have been laid and
several blocks are now under contract.
In most cases McAdam and limestone
pavements were removed to make place
for it.
In all the above cities the authorities
and property owners, as far as we could
ascertain, are in favor Of aud prefer the
Nicholson to all other pavements, except
the Mayor of Cincinnati, who said he
preferred stone.
We would recommend, in reference to
details, the following changes from the
original specification of the Nicholson
pavement:
First. Relative TO the amount of sand
or gravel required under the pavement.
Wood being much less a conductor of
frost than stone, does not require more
than three or four inches of sand or
gravel, while stone requires six.
Second. The entire immersion of the
blocks is considered impracticable, for
the reason that the Inspector mas less OPP
perfumes for discovering defects in
blocks prior to their being laid, and also
when the blocks are dipped and laid down
upon the street hot, the pickets or strips
receive their portion of the hot tar, caus-
ing closer adhesion to the strips or
flooring.
Third. The pickets or strips between
the blocks should not exceed five eighths
of an inch in thickness. In the majority
of the cities visited we found them one
inch, in accordance with the original
Nicholson plan. In the process of ram
ming it spreads the blocks to distance
of one and one-quarter inches apart, the
result of which is to cause the edges of
the blocks to wear faster than the center,
producing an inequality of surface SIM
liar to cobble stone pavements; We came
to the conclusion that by reducing the
thickness OF the strips to fve-eighths of
an inch this inequality would be obvi-
ated.
Upon the examination of the pave
ments of St. Louis, where three. quarters
instead of one inch strips were used,
our opinion was confirmed both by the
equality of the surface of the blocks and
the opinion of the City Engineer, who
stated to US that in future contracts he
should reduce the thickness of the strips
to fve-eights of an inch, which leaves a
sufficient space for the shoe of the horse
to grasp the pavement and prevent slip
ping.
In answer to our inquiries of property
owners why they had substituted the
Nicholson for the stone pavement for
which they had already paid, they gave
the following reasons: First. Less noise
in travelling over the same Second. Less
dust. Third. Cleanliness, as capa-
cious shower effectually cleans it.
Fourth. Also the saving in the wear and
tear Of vehicles and teams in period
of eight years would be equivalent to
the original cost of the pavement
We would also recommend that in
future contracts cypress or cedar lumber
should have the preference over all
other kinds.
We find in all the cities visited by us
that no repairs as yet have been made on
the Nicholson pavement, nor provisions
made for its preservation, while the stone
payements require constant repairs by
the displacement of blocks and the set
Ting of the same, and we would recon-
mend for the preservation of the surface
of the Nicholson pavement, that once in
three years q coating Of composition and
gravel be applied, which in our opinion
will cause it to lat fifteen or twenty
years without other expense. The cost
of the said coating of composition and
gravel would not exceed fifteen per cent.
Of the estimated cost of repairs to the
stone pavements in the same length of
time in the cities visited by US.
Ladies, II you wish bargains 90 to schloss
& Bros, 247 Main ST., for they are selling
Out at cost TO close business. "A
GRACE CHURCH FAIR.-This evening
will be a grand gala night at this estab-