The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-04-13

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month of March, at $S9l.05. Within the
past fifteen days the number of rations had
been reduced from 1000 to between 200
and 800. ,E-s. n @ gl-
CHAIE-GANG,
The Commissioners of Streets recon-
mend that the chain-gang be exclusively
employed in breaking stone to be used in
the macademizing Of certain unpaVed
streets in the city; and that all the prison
ers in the city jail sentenced to labor
should be thus employed under the direc-
tion of the City Engineer. Concurred in by
the Council.
CITY ENGINEER. i'll
I The same committee also recommend
thst the Engineer be allowed to employ two
assistants, instead of one, as heretofore.
Also concurred in, after suspension of the
rules.
BANK STREET.
The same committee also recommend an
appropriation of $3.50 for purchasing ma
terials for repaving Bank street, the State
having agreed to furnish the necessary
labor. Adopted.
HITCHING-POSTS. --.
The sum of 500 was appropriated to
erect hitching-posts in front Of the public
buildings and grounds in the city.
WATER WORKS.
Mr.. Gregory, from the Watering Com
mittee, submitted report stating that,
after en- inspection Of the Water Works,
they recommend the construction Of q new
reservoir, and refer the Council to the plan
and specifications of the City Engineer.
They found that mud was accumulating
in the present reservoir to such an ex-
tent as to render its capacity less by thou
sands Of gallons than when first built. The
supply of water is not only lessening year
by year, but its quality is often the subject
of criticism by citizens who are not aware
Of the cause, and for which there is no
remedy under existing circumstances.
The Engineer reports that the plan pro-
posed contemplates the construction upon
the eastern side of the present reservoir Of
o new one, whose water-level shall be six
feet higher, and whose capacity shall be
40,0O0,0O0 gallons, it's dimensions being
$50 feet long by $50 feet wide and 26 feet
deep. The capacity Of the present reser-
voir being about 100000 gallons, the
combined quantity of water would then be
so, 100000 gallons. The average consump-
tion of the city is about 100000 gallons
per day. The new reservoir, therefore,
will contain thirty days. supply-an ample
supply for any ordinary freshet. The ad-
ditional height of the reservoir will supply
all parts OF the city with water, and the
increased capacity will allow the pumps to
remain idle when the river is in swollen
or turbulent condition, thus giving COM
paratively clear water at all times. The
report then speaks of the annoying and
troublesome inconvenience of a failure of
supply of water, such as occurred here q
few weeks since, and states that @ fire
breaking out at such a time might destroy
property valued at many times the cost of
the reservoir. The cost of the work will
not exceed SEQ, 900, and may be completed
during the present year if commenced at
once.
The report and specifications we're sub
mitted to the Finance Committee.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Mr.. Yale, chairman of the Finance Com
mitee, submitted a report refunding 20 GER
tain parties different amounts which they
had over-paid on their tax-list which was
adopted. He also presented claims amount
ing to $341 which were ordered to be paid.
CHANGING THE NAMES OF WARDS.
Mr.. Yale presented petition from Mr..
I. A. Goddin which asked that the name of
the First Ward be changed to Adams, and
that of the Fifth to Marshall. 1t was re-
ferred to the Committee on Streets Gene
rally. .~.,...., ,.7.
The Council, on recommendation of the
Gas Inspector, refunded $l64.O6, which had
been over-paid, to the ce-president of the
Jewish synagogue.
Various accounts and petitions were re-
ferred to the appropriate committees.
EXTRA PAY OF POLICE.
The late captains Of police petitioned the
Council for an allowance Of full pay for the
month Of March which, on motion of Colo
mel Ordway, was allowed.
ovERsEER OF CITY HANDS.
Colonel Ord way moved that the Council
recommend to the commanding General g
suitable person to act as Overseer Of the
City Hands; but it being stated that the Of
fee was now vacant, it was afterwards
amended so as to allow the Commissioners
of Streets generally to make recommends
tions. Agreed to.
COST OF POLICE IN THE NEW DISTRICT, ETC.
In response to resolution of the Coun-
Gil, Colonel Egbert, chief Of police, sent d
communication to the Council stating that
"the total amount Of expenses incurred by
the city Of Richmond for. police services
rendered in the new, district for the quar-
ter ending April lst was S9l6.5O.
A Accommodation from fifteen or twenty
citizens resident on Union Hill asking the
grading and improvement Of several streets
in that:locality was referred to the Commits
sioners Of Streets for that Ward.
Public Houses and Buildings, moved that
the ordinance lsection 3,chspter 2l,) be 80
amended as to give the purchasing Of fuel,
supplies, &c., for the use of the city to the
several appropriate committees which mo-
tion was adopted, upon asuspension Of the
rules. BE also offered resolutions that the
purchases should be made by contract, after
advertising in two Of the daily papers Of
the city; and that the contractor shall fur
nish samples of the articles; and that any
two committees requiring the same article
may advertise jointly.sa d1& ~
The Council then adjourned.
FIRE.-on Sunday nightst half-psst
O'Clock fire broke out in the building OF
Grace street between First and Foushee
occupied by D. Lee Powell, Esq, as young
ladies' academy. This is the second time