The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-09-03
CITY DEPARTMENTS.
DEPARTMENT OF DOCKS.

The Commissioners OF Docks-Messrs Wales Wester-
welt and Dimock-now propose to infuse new life into
the important duties reposed IN them as to improving
and constructing our docks II is duty which must
commend itself TO their earnest care and attention
The department has now been about five years
in existence, having been organized in 1870
In that year q meeting Of prominent merchants
was held, with Mr. A A. Low for President when
the whole subject Of improving our dock system
was discussed Meetings also held at the Mer-
chants Exchange in this city Under the act of the
Legislature creating dock department Messrs John
t Agnew, Wilson G. Hunt, william Wood, Richard NJ.
Henry and Greenvie Kane took Office on May I, 1870
Then came the appointment of General Mcclellan as
Chief Engineer. Under his directions a general plan
for system Of bulk heads and piers along the
front prepared, extending from the foot of Grand
the East River the foot of Sxeth street
the North River. This pan the law required was
adopted by the Dock Commissioners and the Sinking
Fund.
According statistics and statements furnished by
an official 1t appears that the work OF the first commits
sion was energetically attended to as far pos
slbe under the surrounding circumstances. The
work was all before them. They had to
begin at the beginning and tread cautiously an
unknown path The law furnished general directions as
what the commission were to do but the of
allowance must, therefore, be made for the slow
progress OF the great undertaking between May 1870
and May l. 1879 In these three years the Commits
sioners caused all the necessary surveys to be made
for tho entire system of docks around the city Of New
York They negotiated with private holders for the
menced pier No and built three arches Of IL
They built landing place for rowboais at
tho Battery and built a number of new wooden
piers and rebuilt and repaired lot of old ones. They
further leased number of piers to private firms and
collected rents and wharfage thereon, all OF which
| works and operations recounted in the annual
reports furnished to the city Executive In that time
| from May 1870, to May, lS73-the Commissioners
drew from the Department of Finance on account Of
the Dock Department, the sum OF 81 100, 100 49, OF
this amount $50 005 SO expended during the year
ending April 80 1871 for various purposes 81 600 900
the year ending April 80, 1873 The amount actually
spent building piers and rebuilding and repairing old
balance of over $692 900 for pier No for surveying
water front and salaries and dredging and purchase of
machinery The engineer reported the amount of
| dredging at 256 284 2l0 cubic yards.
After 1878 change took place in the commission,
which at time consisted of Messrs Gardiner Budd
and Westervet Then came the death Of Mr.. Gardiner
and the expiration Of the term OF Mr. Budd Mr. Wales
| was appointed by Mayor Wckham in place Of the
former and Mr. Dimock Of the latter The Comptroller
reports the issue of dock bonds bearing six and
per cent interest to the amount of 81 694 500 up
December 81 1873 and up to March 81 1874 81
remains to the credit of the department.
The work commenced by their predecessors is now
Wales Dimock and Westervelt Although an out
cry raised at the time OF the selection of repub
can, Mr. Salem H. Wales for the position of President
of the commission 1t is to be hoped that politics will
have nothing TO do with the carrying out OF plan
vital TO the commerce of New York. Mayor Wckham
do better work than to assist by all the
in his power, this commission in the discharge of its
duty.
COMMISSIONERS OF CHARITIES AND CORRECTION.
Under an ordinance OF the Common Council the Com
mssioners OF Charities and Correction compelled to
furnish report in relation 10 the burial of strangers
unknown persons who may die in any of the public in
situations of the city ofNew York In accordance with
this rule they make the following announcements to
persons who have recently died.
At Lunatic Asylum Blackwell's Island, Catharine
Caldwell aged forty years This patient transferred
from the Workhouse August 16 1875. Nothing known OF
her friends relatives No effects found on her per-
son.
+ At New York City Asylum for Insane, Andrew Mar
tin aged thirty eight years Eve feet six inches high
dark hair and eyes This patient transferred from
the old Lunatic Asylum Blackwes Island December 49,
1871 and had corporation clothing. There has been
no person to visit him, could any information be
obtained OF his friends or relatives No effects found
his person.
At Charity Hospital Blackwels Island Ann Doran
aged forty years. five feet five inches high; admitted
February 8, 1876. Nothing known Of her friends or
relatives