The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-01-06
Only ia actual ares snd total loss Of but

s196 ,Bl5.
FALSE ALARMS.
In respect, however, 10 the evil OF false alarmsy
OF which | have before made. repeated MENTION
the malicious practice still prevails, notWith-
standing my uDremittipg endeavors BY every
conceivable means to prevent 1t. IL 10 not only
III evil on account OF the great annoyance Incl
dent to it, but it often causes serins aeo dents to
our men, as well IS horses ard apparatus. Dur
ing the past year the department has been called
out by eighteen false alarms, resulting in almost
an equal number OF accidents, more or less irn-
portant.
The adoption OF the trsp.look upon onr FIRE
alarm boxes seemed at first an effectuRl hin@
drance to the nefarious praotioe but recourse
has recently been bad 10 tbs desperate device OK
breaking open the boxes with stones or other inn
pements, thus csusing damage IS we'll as perps-
trating mischief. The effurts OF the Police De-
psrtmeBt have been exerted for the detection OF
the offenders and it's suppression, but the inade-
dnaey OF the force has rendered such efforts I'M
successful. l would therefore respectfully sug-
gest that the offer OF a'onable reward by the
Mayor for the arrest and conviction OF any party
guilty OF such offsuss would have o salutary eff
feot.
WATER SUPPLY.
II is again proper that should make mention
TO you Of the insdaqueGy OF the supply OF water
Tor the requirements Of the department. Bit
limited supply can be obtained and thst only In
sections OF the city where wells have been s0n~
Deeted with the water MAINS Many and large
portions Of the city are unprotected against fire.
There are large districts into which the water
mains do not extend. not, az consider, by neg
lect, or any fault in The management oil the
WaterwoHks Department, but unhappiIy owing 70
the continued endorsements OF the financial
aft airs OF the city.
These districts portions Of The city could be
effectually protected by means Of the draining
canals, and with that view [ would recommend
that hoodgates be constructed Ia all eanals run
ming through the city, and at least two feet Of
water kept in them at Hll times for fire purposes.
There is another evil involving supply to which
/ would call your attention. The banks of the
New and Old basins are almost always blocked
With lumber and other commodities, so that our
engines have no openings or means ef approach,
by which to get into position or have access
to tho water or, II any got ID 10 er crest lpss
of time. About these basins are great piles OF
lumber, saw mills and lumber yards, so that
fire would or might be very disastrous. The
remedy for it hes in requiring openings TO be
kept at intervals of a SQUARE or less but Ger
taiply at the intersections OF The streets, 40 that
the water may be had vi hont delay. trust yoa
will not fail to give this matter attention.
ENGINE HOUSES.
/ have great satisfaction in stating that the
long suffering OF be department Incident TO the
damaged condition OF our engine houses has
been and IL continuing to be relieyed; the proper
officers having taken measures for the repair OF
some Of the houses, and desis ming, as believe
10 continue with III igebcs until all are placed In
such condition ~ the needs Of the department
Tor the comfort and safety OF its men, az well sc
the credit OF the city, require. Apropos OF such
IMPROVEMENT would recommend that provision
pc made for the erection OF new house for Oo-
umbis No and for the rebuilding OF that of
Crescent No "a.
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
This department, placed under my super
vision, has an able corps If operators, and ID
working rs well as the inpsired ooadition of it's
machinery leaves practicable. As tbs city In ex-
ending in sill directions, and the number OF fire
Harm boxes is lnsdequ SIC 10 the requirements OF
he department., would respectfully recommend
hat twenty new autmatio boxes be put up, az
heretofore designated by me, and take leave TO
speat my suggestion that an alarm bell be-
,lsaed on Magazine Market
In closing my ninth annual report take leave
Q express my thai ks to the chief OF police, the
Ulcers and members OF his depsr tment for their
eadY cooperation and assistance by them rem.
lered in the discharge Of my duties AZ freq; and
0 the board of fire commissioners for the usform
extended toward me officially: and
nrtber to express the gratifcs.iun / ever feel In
aiding harmony and concert OF action whom
ssentisl to the interests Of the department.
Fraternslly yours
THO5 OCONNOR, Chief Engineer. ].