The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-04
DEPARTMENT OF DOCKS.
Meeting Of the Board Of Commissioner OBJ
structions on tho North River Front
Interference with tho Sound
ings in he River.

Tho Board OF Commissioners Of Docks met yester-
day afternoon in stated session, with tho President,
John I. Agnew, in tho chair. Mr.. J. g. Kane, the
newly appointed secretary to the Board, made his
first appearance In his Official capacity ut the meet
ing. Mr.. Kane Is in appearance very much like
Lord Byron, with the addition Of O luxurianp
growth OF mutton chop whiskers. He read the
minutes of the previous meeting after which the
Board proceeded to business. number OF petit
uons were read and referred TO the Executive Com
lnIttee. On recommendation OF the Executive Com
mittee the lessces OF the pier at the foot OF Bank
street were ordered W place new stringpece on
the bulkhead al tue foot OF Bank street..
Superintendent Martin had reported thai 1t was
the steamtng Syracuse which ran into pier No.
East river On recommendation Of the Executive
Committee 1t was decided 10 hold the owners OF the
tug responsible for the damage. "A
An extensive repOri, by the Executive Committee,
on the fAfa 9 El4 .NHsH
INSTRUCTIONS ON TIE NORTH RIVER SIDE, 4
as reported by The district superintendent, was read
by Commissioner Wood The report stated that
there were many permanent floating distractions,
which could only DC removed by the joint action OF
the Harbor Masters aud the Department Of Docks,
sheds on docks 10 protect property and merchant
disc. which could not be removed without much
damage TO commerce. West Washington Market
was complained OF as one OF the greatest 0bstruc-
tons to commerce, and Its speedy removal was re-
commended. The reports OF the superntendents
are in tabular form, giving location OF distractions,
owners names and amount OF revenue to the
city. From these 1t appears the department
receives no direct revenue For instance,
where there are some eight barges anchored, the
lessee OF the bulkhead derives the profit and the
city can do nothing in regard to ordering their re-
mOval. Alter some discussion to whether the
tabular statements should be read, 1t was ordered
that they be placed on file and kept open for nspec.
uoE by the public or the press.
communication was received from Colonei
Mahon, Assistant ENGINEER stating that the process
fered with by tugs andsmall boats running over and
DESTROYING their bu0ys and anchor chains, and ask
ing that the department. take some action on The
premises The matter was referred TO the Executive
COMMITTEE
report was received from District superintend.
cnt Martin 10 the effect that thirty tons Of ballast
stone Ind been thrown overheard in the slip be.
tween piers Nos. s and East river from schooner
On motion OF commissioner HENRY the matter
was referred TO the Corporation Counsel prosecute
the owners or the schooner. l.f
petition, accompanied by plans and speclfca-
lions, was received from Mr.. Bernard Kelly for per-
mission 70 construct building on pier No. % North
The matter was referred 10 the Executive Commit.
supe, intendent Keyser sent in special report of
work completed In his district, as follOws:-Picr
foot OF West Thrtyeghtn street, repaired resneaned
fifth street. $780, pier foot or 13lst street. SeOe: foot
OF West l3Sth street. $34s He further reported that
the work on piers loot OF Forty-sevenlh, Seventy
ninth and l55th streets progressing favOrably.
Several petitions were received from parties asking
permission for various projects, which were referred
TO the Executive Committee. After which the meet
ing adjourned.
Tho Chamber of Commerce on tho Docks.
the Chamber OF Commerce met yesterday after
noon in stated session, and after spending some
time in discussing various matters and taking as
usual, no decided action on anything Interesting or
important to the public, adopted the report OF the
Committee No. on the Improvement OF the harhor.
which Is 10 be submitted to the Department of
Docks. The plan Is by no means original, and Ia
nothing more nor less than . garbled imitation
OF the plan or General Vlee, already pub.
lished In the HERALD. 1t proposes to widen South
street 10 lS0 eet and West street TO $50. Along the
water front substantial Dulkhead OF masonry and
wharves sixty feet wide, extending into the river to
the exterior hArbor line, are 10 be built the slips
between these wharves TO vary width from 200 to
22U feet the foundation OF the wnarves to be large
iron columns filled In with solid masonry or stone
wbarves OF stone BRICK ron three or four stories
high; along the buikhea1s iron sheds, to be open at
all sides.