New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-12-31

culous preservation of utility, Organisation
and order in our department. notwithstsnd-
ing the fact that our companies are unpaid
and the city, whether with or without sde-
quate excuse. 10 utterly delinquent under
its contract, upon the due execution OF
which, on our part, 20 many of it, own pos
sibilities, and 90 much OF it, ewn existence
depend. In such connection, tho condition
of the enginehouses 10 to be appropriately
considered. All that vas 30 painfully true
of their condition . year ago, - 70
cited by me in my annual report
of that date, with tho execution OF the
houses of Volunteer No. and Vigilsnt No. ,.
remains true, with everything sggrsvated
a. to consequences, and augmented - to
cause. Lot % hope that the honorable
body which has Just organised ito control
of public STAIRS within the municipal COR
porstion will not fail, % its predecessors
have, without deviation, done in removing
the chronic evils 90 long and 30 repeated
ly recited in vain appeals for relief, If only
in the fear that, should measures not be
found adequate to the relief Of the de.
and 80 much . source Of pride to all our
people, may become finally impaired.
Among the measures through which
trust the department will SOON iEsugurato
q better era, are those for the permenent
organization of shop for all repairs re-
quired to be done, and the establishment
Of Q yard for fuel, whence it may be sup
Piled as required, and the enormous saving
consequent on such method secured.
vantage of providing our houses with
towers for drying hose, which will also
aseure great saving in the ultimate cost
Of hose.
Before closing my report would respect
fully urge the immediate construction OF
striking apparatus and bell for the elevator
on the river front, at the head Of Harmony
street, Fourth District. No other tower 90
conspicuous, or point 80 admirably adapted
to such use, could be found throughout tho
city limits.
The benefits 80 be secured by means OF 60
excellent position for such apparatus leads
me to hope that immediate measures will
be taken toward its construction. 1t has
further occurred to me that such apparatus
at the Magazine Market would be judi
cious measures, and one Of essential value
point, too, Of the Third District. A bell and
striking apparatus are needed, and 1
would urge their construction at the earliest
moment practicable.
l have been awaiting, as yet in vain,
such relief in its financial condition ~
would enable the city to provide the con-
trail office of this department with the i'm
proved alphabetical telegraph apparatus
| for communication with each one of it's sev-
eral companies. It may be extrsvsgant to
| expect that before the time again recurs
for the report Of the chief engineer, .
healthy condition of finances and restored
hope and confidence may justify it's CON-
struction. In that happy event feel o.
sured of the immediate attention of tho
| proper authorities to measure 90 needful
for the prompt and perfect discharge of Of
ficial duties in the department..
Permit me, before taking my annual leave
of you, to express here my thanks to the
board of commissioners for it's uniform
courtesy toward me, and to felicitste my.
self upon ever finding harmony of feeling
and concert of action when invoked for the
promotion Of the interests OF this depart
mont. Upon these only can We safely do
pend for the perpetustiOn and ed vancement
in efficiency and splendor of the fire do
| partment of New Orleans.
THOMAS OCoNNOR,
Chief Engineer.