The New York herald., 1878-01-17
THE CITY's DOCKS.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS FOE THE PAST
YEAR--woRK DONE AND ITS Cosr-TGE
PRESENT PLAN AND THE OBSTACLES THAT
HINDER IT.
Tho annual report OF tho Dock Department Just
issued, contains many interesting details II states
the work done, addition to the completion OF
the new slonc pior No. North River. has been as
follows:-Building the following wooden piers:-
No. AZ North Rivor, 75x57O leoL TINS pier has been
leased for $50 900 per Extending old pier No.
40 North River, 6oxl4o feet. New pier No. go North
River, almost entirely built, 7Sx5so iceI An agroe.
been made TO lease thus pier for $780, 200 per
In the last annual report OF the department,
special report made by General John Newton,
General q. A. Gilmore aud William E. worhcn TO the
department, 1t was stated that there GER
tain defects in small portion ot the wall
(about 3i7 /eet) constructed by General Graham,
the former engineer er-in-chicf OF the department.
Tho eng ghoers above named united In recommending
certain strengthening OF this wall During the year
those RECOMMENDATIONS have carried out, anu
far be judged at present this work seems likely
TO accomplish the purpose ior which II was intended
There were several pieces OF wall between Canal aud
Chrst0pher streets IN different stages Of consructon
under what may 90 termed the plan OF General era
ham, ut tue date OF the last report. These pieces Of
wall amounting to about SIX hundred feet have beon
carried 10 completion, IN accordancc with plans rec
commended by tue Board OF Expert Engineers above
named An elaborate plan ior new wall suitable
Tor the section VI the city between Morton ana War.
rcn streets by Mr. Greene, the cniei engineer was,
alter careful consideration and consultation
peris, adopted by the Board
About Ia feet OF this wall been substantially
completed at the new KING street section and aUout
210 feet oi II are IN construction Ihe cost of this
first section, wnicn 10 upon tho most difficult ana
pensve part OF the territory within the limits for
which this wall Il intended, Is $263 "a per nca loot,
addition TO The general expenses which are common
10 all such structures.
The department has had under consideration for
time tho afvisability OF laying up ITS noatng
property ana having IFS dredging aud other work done
by contract During the year about 300. 900 cubic
yards Of dredging aave been done by the orccs OF tho
department.
GOOD SHOWING.
The expenses Of the department for the year, for
all purposes. account OF construction,
S3y1 40 40, and on account OF general expenses,
$50. oji 30 making total OF S43I 0So so. luis Is
mucn smaller sum Than has been usually expended by
the acparmcni, and II a believed tnat the city will
derive an Increased income OF at cas. ecn per cent
the whole amount by reason Of these expenditures,
Notwithstanding the large portions OF the sam
chargca to maintenance and general expenses. Ihs
olicc exl said 10 have been reduced IN tho
last years from $40 sl7 32 TO $35d6i 50 in 1876.
The revenues of tho department during the past year
amounted 10 s6J2 i96 g. or about $2l9 7O6 81 moro
than the total expenditures made during ito year by
the department. Tho iulure policy OF the DEPART
m.nt Is TO complete, as soon Us possible, the
streets. Below that point tao department intend
soon TO enter upon some improvements where tha
contracts Tor rentals Already made will yield
crease OF revenue TO the cty py reason OF tho i'm
provcmcDts OF twenty por cent or upward on tno
amount 10 bo expended The Commissioners express
the opinion thai the great difficulty tho very
rapid Improvement OF the wator front not that tho
plan adopted not capaDie oi being carried
any speed that may be desired and with economy but
10 the fact that the cy picr properly Is so separated
by intervening private troperty that Is diicult
secure suniccnt contiguous territory TO properly
carry out any plans without great delays Another
cause OF delay Is mat leases not yet expired prevent
FOR the present the TAX hg OF properly Tor Improve.
mcnt Tncro Is n pan, however, under advisement
wnich IL hoped will enable the city to carry on tho
improvements rapsdiy and w,tnout tho necessity OF
purchasing much privaie properly.