New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-07-13
The Waterw0rke.

Department OF WaterWOrks and PCbhc
Buildings he found the buildings Of the for
mer branch in very dilapidated state. The
yards were full Of rubbish. There was
hardly whole pane of glass in the build
ings. A vague tradition was current that
sixteen years ago q glazer had set pane,
but some people took the liberty of doubt
ing il. Four hundred and fifty feet of the
brick wall was ready to crumble at a touch.
Paint and whitewash were luxuries not to
be dreamed Of. The buildings wore very
sad appearance and promised to look sadder
yet.
But during the last three months . mar
velous cure has been effected. The six
buildings-three one-story and three two
story-with the walls, have been thoroughly
repaired. One hundred and fifty panes Of
glass have been put in. White paint has
been literally applied till both sides of the
1900 feet of wall and the buildings glisten
with cleanliness.
This cost only $780, The brick work was
done at an expense of $26O-that is, tnat is
what the city had to pay. But that is not a
tenth Of the value. The employees at the
works entered into the spirit of the thing
and contributed labor and money till the
grounds bloomed like the rose. Two hun
dred feet of new paling fence were put up
by them and 1000 loads Of filling were placed
on the land.
Four hund,ed yards Of brick paving and
six hundred feet of brick curbing were
laid. When the yard was cleared of the
rubbish a new fountain with brick basin
was placed in the center, which cools the
air delightfully."-. One hundred and Gorty
feet Of pipe connecting with the street
were laid. Thirty feet Of marble bases and
thirty feet of iron ratings with ten iron
gates between pillars surround the
grounds.
For all this work, which gentleman,
we'll versed in those things says is worth
$4,000, the city was paid $640. OF course
the work cost more, but the balance has
been contributed by neighboring citizens
taking an interest in such improvements,
by the labor and money of enthusiastic
employees and by Administrator Fifteen
ritter.
On hearing such tales Of the mighty
change in public affairs, our reporter was
irresistibly impelled in the direction Of a
Tchoupitoulas street car, and went to the
Waterworks to sec for himself. Entering
the engine room he found Mr.. William
Green, the chief engineer, who has been at
the works eighteen years. He gave con-
firmation of the former bad condition. The
present condition testified for itself. The
neatness Of the buildings was admirable.
The engines, which work alternately, are in
perfect order. There is eighty feet of pres
sure at the works, which gives about thirty
feet at Canal street. A week ago last Sat
urday there was fifty feet on Canal street,
which is the highest ever known.
The complaints that were made last
summer of scarcity of water will not be
heard this one. There will be plenty of
water wherever the pipes will reach.
After admiring the evidence Of improve
ment, our reporter got under the shade of
one OF the many fig trees in the garden and
watched the fountain play. A spry little
boy, with = tin pail, got up into the cool
branches of the tree and rained down figs
in the name of the prophet. Our reporter
partoOk, with the careless freedom of a
practiced imposer on good nature. Now he
wishes he had drawn it milder. His mouth
is puckered, and feels as Mark Twain says
his did after eating tamarinds. But he is
grateful to Mr.. Green, and returns sincere
thanks.