New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-20
THE REPORT.


The statement opens with summary OF the
expenditures for April, May and June with eompaH-
son with the disbursements for the corresponding quar-
tiers IN 1877 and 1875;
on appropriations raised BY G 70
Of assessment funds Tor street IN 1k 77s az
P SceoaSt q funded debt for improvement and
extension Of water supply. 1880
%
Fxueudi,ures for second quarter s79s 64 g
Fxnenditures Tor second quarter 392OS1 bl
THE WATER SUPPLY.
The condition of the city's water supply is given III
detail in the report substantially as already published
in TIE TRIBUNE. In regard to the supply of water Tor
the future the commissioners say: On this important
subject the following views derived from the latest in
vestigations submitted The present aqueduet Is
now taxed 10 it's utmost capacity to deliver sufficient
water for the daily supply and at times the consump
ton exceeds the quantity delivered by the aqueduct
Leaks in the aqueduct been stopped and waste In
the city has been reduced by the application OF meters
and by house inspections An additional con-
duit 10 bring water into the city is therefore
necessary, and this necessity must DC met,
though IL will entail considerable expense II
the city were in its present deporabie nnanoai
condition loaded with debt and overbur-
dened with taxation It would be the part Of wisdom to
prepare for construction Of new and large aque-
duct from the CrOton Basin. such work would require
i've years its completion, and would cost at least
S12OOOOOO discard all propositions and suggestions
TO enlarge the present aqueduc on to lay mains along
side of IT. as impraecable We cannot run the hazard
OF seyering the single artery which the very life Of
the city depends Any work in such close proximity TO
IL would subject 1t to such disaster Before the lapse OF
many years a new and large aqueduct must be built
from the CrOtOn Basin to meet the wants OF increasing
population and its capacity should be sueh that when
added to previously existing cOnduits the combined flow
of all should be sufficient for city Of 100000 OF In
habitants.
Impressed however with the Importance OF pOstpon-
ing for some years the large outlay required for new
aqueduct have carefully considered the feasibility Of
some other Of providing an additional supply OF
water at moderate cost which shall meet the wants OF
the city for several years. and until better prepared
to incur the cost Of the greater work In verbal and
written communications TO you have indicated the
Bronx and the Rye ponds the source from which such
auxiliary supply may be obtained. Further study OF
the question confirms the opinion, which is also sus-
tanned by that of the Chief Engineer Of the Croton Aque
duct based upon actual and careful surveys,
Their waters are pure. 1t is proposed to erect
a dam Of eight feet at the outlet, by
which 6O0O00,O00 gallons may be stored. About one
mile lower down. and the main stream aDOther reser
vOr of 900 900 gallons may be formed by dam OF
thirty height These lakes. with the natural now
Of the stream will furnish 100000 gallons daily. Oh
Onennth of the supply furnished by the Croton Aque
duct l. is practicable at very small cost, 10 lead into
Rye Pond the food waters Of Byram River, by which
a considerable additional supply may be obtained
The work is estimated 10 cost S1,250OOO. For the
greater supply OF water which will be required in the
more distant future, by the medium of new and large
aaueduet from the Croton basn reliance must be had
upon the CrotOn watershed and the HOusatOnc River
The former, with an OF $40 square miles, will
furnish, II the water be impOunded in reservoirs,
q supply at the present rate OF consumption
for more than double the present population.
party of engineers is now engaged In making survey
TO ascertain the practicaLity and cost of draining
eighty or one hundred millions OF gallons daily from the
HOnsstOne River and OF leading u 20 the CrOton Basin
whence II will flow to the city through the new aquc-
duct above spoken Of II this project be feasible az
abundant supply OF water Will, with the two
sssTred for anu DopGation Of three millions
would A. urge the early commencement of the high
which an ordinance Is now before the Common Council.
Tie rapid extension OF waterppes, by which pressure
isredueed, and the erection Of buildings on the mgh
grounds the upper OF The city, make this improve
ment necessity. 1t viii cost ABOUT SZOo'OoO''
PAYMENTS FOR THE FUTURE.
"Had half a million of dollars" Mr.. Campbell says.
been appropriated expended during each
O1s76 1877 and authorized by law, considerable
improvement would already have been apparent; instead
OF which the total sum appropriated by the Board Of
Estimate ana AppOrtiopmeat for requirement. during
these three years was S5OOOOO Some OF the more I'M
pOrtan downtown tOrCughfares, and few OF those up
town, have, with this meagre sum, been repaYed In
substantial manner with stone blocks OF approved o.
mensons at very moderate cost per square yaId.
Tie question OF the kind Of pavement most proper for
fbs great civ one OF great interest aud Importance
and have gwen the subject much consideration: or
and uniformly quarried makes the snOOthest pavement
1t very desirable IN certain streets to obtain pave
durable. The wooden pavement is utterly worthless
its pershabe nature aud will always be associated
with the frauds Of recent years Asphalt pnyemcnts
are smooth aud HOiseess and If Their durability can be
proven, may yet be found serycePble in certain To-
Having investigated the character of the Asphalt
Block Pavement and asceralDea t1at u mas st4op te
deuhia felt DESTROYS Of laying down short piece OF
in HanOver-st, between Wall Sd and HanOyerequare,
where had been requested by the owners and Occu-
pants that narrow street 20 provide, possible
boiseless pavement in the renewal which has become
Tue report gives al length the application to the
adverse report OF the Controller In his answer,
Mr.. Kelly called attention TO tine disastrous
resuts that had 70 lowed the trials Of numerous EEK
perimenta paveents and to the charter OF 1873 which
contained stringent provisions against the use OF patent
This criticism" continues the report, upon the pro
posed man for paving HanOyer-st Is evidently made
Without any knowledge OF the subject, ana maintain
that tine recommendation was proper III the true inter
egts OF the city Tue hest plan OF pavement Tor ces
which engaged the attention OF engineers ana prhc
teal rOad-makers for many years can Iai1y DC con
Controller IL IA well that the patent pave
menis alluded 70, and which have proved such utter
famous caba which ruled tails city within the past tour
years loaded it with debt and robbed IT'S treasury
Alter giving many illustrations 70 show the strength
durability aud other desirable quaites OF asphalt pave
ments when properly constructed MI UanpOeH sys
should be considered without prejudice, Partially Cr
partisan feeling and submit that broader ana more en-
frightened views than those expressed by the Controller
must Obtain If this great city Is TO assume and maintain
me report gives the work done in the Bureaus OF
Street improvements OF Sewers. OF Lamps and Gas and
view OF the demOralizng effects upon the
public service OF assessments for political pur-
issued fos the government Of the department gem
eral order, prohibiting the collection Of assessments
any officer clerk on other empoye Of this department
within the Offices, rooms or places or on tue works
where sueh employees nlIy DC engaged.D