The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-22

feet OF gas consumed by street-lampS
and public buildings, amounting 10
1884, ,97e cubic feet, at $2.SS per on
thousand. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 49'4o4 os
Making the actual profits of the Works-s96, ,42a ol
which is an increase of S16,426.49 over the
preceding year. This saving was accom-
pIished partly in the price Of coal and partly
in the greater economy Of production, i'm.
proved appliances and superior coal enabling
us to produce 3,410.20O cubic feet more Of
gas than during the year 1874 with 1l,610
bushels less coal. Among the appliances
may be mentioned:
l. A rearrapgemant of the retort-benches
from groups Of three to groups Of four, by
which the generating capacity was increased
333 per cent. without y corresponding in
crease in heat or cost Of labor.
2. The introduction Of the use Of the gas.
tar as fuel. This gives better heat, wears
the furnaces less, and utilzes one Of the COM
paratively valueless productions of the gas
manufacture.
This economy in the cost has been accom-.
panied by an improvement in the quality OF
production.
The average illuminating power of the
gas produced during the year was 1886
candles, an increase of L76 over the prece-
ding year; and power superior to that of
any works whose reports are accessible to
us. The coke produced has also been OF
better quality than heretofore; and the re.
fuse lime continues IN such demand that the
supply cannot be met.
The committee desire to call the attention
of the Council to the necessity Of replacing
| the present inconvenient acOoden office by q
| brick structure, and providing 3 substantial
| and secure place for storing the material and
| supplies other than coal which may be
| needed. Also, the necessity Of constructing
a backsmith-shop. These improvements
| would not prove expensive, and their value
| must be apparent to any one who examines
| the works.
The committee take pleasure 10 commend.
! ing the competency and fidelity of the
| various officers and employees in the several
| branches of this department. The praise OF
| those employed in the main works is found
| in the gratifying exhibit above given, and
like praise Is due throughout.
The Upper Works
| were never as efficiently conducted since our
| connection with them. Repairing lamps,
setting meters, pumping drps, the making OF
repairs, and all work confided to that office,
have been especially we'll attended to.
Inspectors Department.
| The faithfulness of the work done in this
Office is best illustrated by the fact that du-
/ ring the past year 34,S23 bills, aggregating
SIP, ,36917, have been delivered in person.
corresponding number of examinations OF
meters made and recorded, and the requisi-
tions of the ordinance enforced so faithfully
that there are now in the collectors hands
but $367.26 OF Delinquent bills, or one fifth OF
oae per cent. Of the amount presented.
In the last report the committee promised
to connect the large holder directly with the
general system of supply 80 as to avoid
the necessity Of using the old holders for
distribution. This was effected during the
year. and the public supply placed beyond
the hazlrd OF discontinuance by reason OF
any accident to the upper works.
The committee beg to renew their recon-
mendation of last year, that some improve
ment be made to Poplar street. This the
only direct avenue to the works. Is neither
paved nor even graded, and in bad weather
one of the worst streets for draught in Rich
mond. As matter Of convenience in the
hauling of supplies to the works, and de.
liVerng coke and lime to the public, this
street should receive some attention.
The official returns Of the works are fully
tabulstsd in the Superintendents report
transmitted to bis Honor the Mayor.
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN N. H1GaNs,
Chairman Committee on Light.
| CLAIMS.
Mr.. Pulliam, from the Committee on
Claims and Salaries, presented joint reso-
luton for the payment Of the following
cllims: Oliver Mountcastle, tins for vehi
cles, 5000; DR.. w. 81. Taylor, coroner, $l65
Morgue servant, 81; John Miller, for repair.
ing chairs for Council chamber, $1S. Laid
on the table.
FIRBALARM TELEGRAPH.
1 Mr.. T. Wiley Davis. from the Committee
on Fire-Alarm and Police.Telegraph, report
ed Joint resolution for the payment of $119
for labor, supplies, &C., for said telegraph
Laid on the table.
=! JAMES RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
Il MIR. Purcell, from the Committee on James
River Improvement, stated that Mr.. r. E
4 Baukenship had been elected chairman oil
1.-The committee in place of Colonel Albert
lOrdway, resigned. Mr.. Purcell also submit.
ted the report of the Engineer of the im'
psoyement for the past month.
The report was received.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ORDINANCE.
| hr. y. T. w nltlock, IEOm Tue speciai cou'
anietee appointed to consider the disagreeips
votes of the two branches of the City Coun.
ell ON the ordinance concerning the Fire
| Department, submitted the ordinance as
| amend ed by the committee; which was read
and passed unanimously by the Council.
| GACANGY FILLED.
On notion of Mr.. Christian, the reslgna-
ton of Dir. B. T. johnson, president OF the
Council, was taken up from the table and
accepted.
on motion of Nr. Christian, MIR. Joseph
R, Anderson was elected to fill the vacancy
In Clay Ward by aeclamatisa.
FRoM THE BolRD OF AEDERMES.
Board joint resolution granting permits
for wooden buildings @as taken up and cons
Cured in. /
Board Joint resolution providing for clerk
to Committee on Grounds and Buildings was
taken up and concurred in.
Board joint resolution providing for tha
payment Of salaries and pay.rolls OF different
Departments OF the city government was
taken up and discussed, several members
contending that the Board was responsible
for the "dead.lock."
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