The Portland daily press., 1873-03-05
CITY REPORTS.
Chief Ensineer,s Repor,.

From the report of the Chief Engineer of the
Fire Department we learn that the whole num-
Der of fires and alarms from March l, 1872, to
March 1, 1873, was 81; 42 in the city, out of
the city 6 still alarms fires were extinguished
without an alarm, and 2 false alarms. The
emount of loss as near as could be ascertained
was $69,161. The amount of insurance was
$152,775. During the year but one building,
and that wooden one, has been entirely de-
stroyed, and in all cases the fires have been
confined to the buildings where they originated,
result that is indeed gratifying.
The department embraces six steam fire en-
gines- one, spare one-five hose carriages
one spare-a hook and ladder truck and car
riage. A new hook and ladder truck with
larger ladders is needed on account of the
height of new buildings. The horses should be
owned and drivers hired by the department
| Three fire alarm boxes have been added the
past year and three miles of wire put up. More
alarms should be added and strikers applied to
one or two more bells
The amount of d inch hose in the depart
ment is Il, $50 feet-which may be classed-SOOO
feet of first-cass; 1000 feet of second class; $50
feet of poor.
The number of hydrauts are, post hydrants
SS; Lowry street hydrants, 70, and Lowry side
walks hydrants, 26; in all 1888; Is new hydrants
were set last year. He recommends that in fu-
ture the hydrants be set in the sidewalks on
account of the difficulty of keeping them SHOW
eled out in the winter. The whole number IF
reservoirs is g. No new ones have beer added
this year. He recommends that a reservoir be
built either on Thomas or Vaughan streets.
But two accidents have happened during the
year. W.
The report concludes with thanks to the as.
sistant engineers and the officers and men of
the department for their cheerful cooperation.
City Gas AGENTS Report.
+ The city gas agent, Mr.. G. w. Littlefeld,
states that the total receipts of the company
for the year ending December 31st, 1872, were
S157, ,61O87, and the the expenditures S153, ,643-
SO. Dividends were declared in January and
July amounting to S34.925. The total con-
sumption of gas for the year was 43,46O,O0O
cubic feet, and 6S4 feet of main pipe have been
laid. Number of street lanterns 390 A few of
the new Bartlett lanterns have been put up,
which are claimed, from their peculiar forma-
ton, to stand rough usage better than any other
kind, and spread light much better while the
cost is no greater. An inspector of gas is rec
commended. 1t is hoped that the price Of gas
may be reduced by next August.
City solicifor's Report
From the report of the City Solicitor, Mr..
Ctares F. Libby, we learn that the case, VIM.
Curtis ct al VS.. the City, which was argued be-
fore the Law Court in July, 1870, and which in
volved the validity of written contract for
breach of which plaintiffs claimed to recover
damages, including loss of property, has been
decided in favor of the city and in accordance
with the decision judgment was entered for the
city at the October Term. Plaintiffs have since
been paid by order of the City Council the sum
awarded them by the referees.
In the appeal of VIM. Curtis ct al VS.. the
City, which was argued at the Law Term in
July last, decision has been lately announced.
which sustains the position assumed by the city
IN that case, viz. The right to discontinue q
portion of the Marginal Way. 1t will be re-
memoered that this was an appeal for damages
| oh account OF the location of the Marginal
way, ana that the City Council discontinued,
as they supposed, so much of the way as passed
over the lands OF the appellants Bysome mis-
take small strip flats belonging to appellants
was not included in the portion discontinued :;
by the decision in this case appellants will have
a right to recover damages for these fats unless
the City Council see fit to discontinue the small
portion of the Marginal Way which passes
over them. 1t is expedient that the discontinue
ance be made at an early day.
The suit, City of Portland VS., Portland
| Water Company brought to recover the amount
paid on verdict against the city in favor OF
Alfred Roberts-the history of which was given
IN last report-was argued before the Law
Court in July last when decision was given in
1aVor OF the city. The case has since been set
tled by the Water Company by payment in full
OF tne amount recovered against them.
date of the last report between the Cumberland