Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-03-13

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80 rods, where was placed hydrant with two out
lets, the flow of water at that point being sufficient
to supply the two engines, and by simply connect
ing leading hose without the use of the engines
an effective stream could be used anywhere on
the SAINT or lower level The cost Of pipe, by
. drsut aud laying the same was about $3.50 90.
The reservoir above referred to was found TO
be inperfectly built, and quite & little expense
was incurred In re-cementng and making il tight,
A connection was also made with the main pipe
of the Citizens Water Co., so that if occasion
should occur when an unusual draft should be
made on the reservoir, we could have the bene-
fl of their reserve at the fountain head. A con-
nection is also had with the water on land Of Mr.
Currier, whence comes the usual SUPPLY The
reservoir at corner Of Middle and Winthrop
streets has for great many years been only that
in name In dry times that was dry. in wet
season there was plenty of water. 1t could not
be relied upon at all times 1t has been thorough
lv repaired and is now full Of water, and in case
Of fire in that vicinity, would be of great use the
expense OF repairing was about-Sll0.
i Early last summer petition was received from
q number of citizens on Winthrop hill by the
city council, representing that BY q small outlay
dam could be built on the grounds of the Indus
trial School, whereby reserve of water could
be made, which could be made available for use
in of fire in that unprotected part of the city,
and praying that something might be done in the
matter, The board Of Engineers was instructed
to examine the locality, and if feasible, to carry
out the wishes of the petitioners, which done
The authorities of the Industrial School had by
scraping, made basin and at an expense of 1925 90
by the city, built dam which holds several hun
bred gallons Of water, which might prove Of in
cslculsbe benefit if we should be SO unfortunate
as to have fire In that vicinity
The appropriations for this department were
somewhat oyerdrawn but | think the money
wisely spent, as 1t has gone for something which
will be a permanent benefit to the city.
From the report of the chief engineer of the
Fire Department, the number of fires the past year
was five; being much less number than the prev-
our Yeas; the aggregate loss being $3.50 fully
covered by insurance. Our iremen, have as old
proved themselves to be all that could be required
of them. They are always ION hand" when duty
calls. Their promptness TO respond to an alarm,
has many times prevented serious conhsxrstions.
The amount appropriated for this department was
SlOO. Ut this sun $500 WAS spent in repairs on
tue engine house, the tower which was insight
ly object. has been emodeled. new roof sur
mounted by an elegant vsne, adds much to the
beauty of what heretofore was offensive to the eye
aud to good taste. The building has been thor
oughly painted and furnished with blinds and is
new an ornament to the city. No new hose has
been purchased this year, but instead stand pipe,
from which the engines can draft water, near the
foot OF Union street, running to below low water
mark IN the river, being about % feet above low
water, the whole length of pipe used was l5S f..
which WAS inch wrought iron pipe coated with
coal tar inside and out. The object in view, in
erecting tb pipe was to obviate the necessity Of
gong on tue river In the winter, tnereDy saving
valuable time and hundreds Of feet of hose, aud
also to have the water supply nearer that uupro-
tected part of the city, which lies in the neig hbor
hood of City Hall and Union street. This matter
at first WAS looked upon as experiment, but has
proved q complete success. The whole cost of
stand pipe and connections was S235. rs, less than
500 has been spent for repairs on apparatus.
new hose pipe, supplies. &C., leaving q small bal
snce unexpended.
| would call your attention to the fact that the
49,.
be painted they are now in that respect in . very
poor condition. The work to be done 10 q first
class manner will cost in the neighborhood of two
hundred do lars. think one more stand pipes
connecting with the river on Water street, would
be of great benefit in OF fire in the winter, and
would I'D that you give this your careful
attention b. fore making the appropriations for
this department
Our facilities for obtaining water for the extin-
gushing OF hires are now very good. We have
reservoirs OF an average capacity of 300 hogshesds
of 100 gallons each, located follows Losdon
Hill, near residence OF Jas. Atkins; North end
Second street, near residence of q. w. Choate A.
sampson & Sons lot near their factory; corner
Winthrop and Middle Sts., uear residence of j. f.
Smith Winthrop ST., near Warren; Summer ST.,
near residence OF ). b Glaxier: Academy, corner
of Warren; also the pond Industrial School
premises; bydrant corner of Academy and Middle
street, and stand pipe foot of Union street. We
have two water companies, composed of some Of
water int the city for domestic anu other pur-
poses. The one from the summit of Winthrop
hill, the other from land of Mr.. Mooers from not
quite so high an elevation. The distribution Of
this water through the city, among our dwellings
must be considered OF great benefit t, as proven
tstve against loss BY fire. There are times, of
course, when fire first breaks out that q very lit
tie water will prevent serious disaster A few feet
OF hose with pipe, to each house, and water could
be carried from cellar to roof. We have also in
fire tua
The Hallowel Mfg Co have . powerful steam
pump, which has proved efficient aid to our
tremen in times past. Mr.. S. F. Davenport has
facilities at his place Of business on Water street
by the use OF steam power, to get q stream of wa
ter on the surrounding buildings in a very short
time, da, or night.
| The Kennebec Wire Works have reservoir of
q capacity Of 500 hogshesds or more, with pipe
leading there ON to hydrsnt near their works.
And nigh enumerate Others, but this is sufi-
cient on this point.
| Eight hundred dollars was Apr priated for pay
OF the engine men, based on an estimate Of 40
men to each company, at $1,000 per year each
this was n u all expended There is connected with
the apparatus one Bangor extension ladder. The
chief engineer recommends the purchase of .
hook and ladder truck, and ladders suitable for
the department.
| The Police department has been ably managed
| the past wear. From the report of the City Mar
sha we fud the whole number of arrests made
during the year was 49, Of this plumber 10 were
| for assau I, III for drunkenness, selling liquor, 2,
larceny, 2, disturbing peace, 2 for other causes.
Thus we that the use of intoxicating liquors
has been di ectly indirectly the cause of near
y all the arrest, made By our police the past year.
1t is indispui able fact that the illegal sale of
intoxicating liquor is the source of nearly, if not
quite all the disorder with which our police have
to contend, and in the choosing of men for the
work of this DEF ar,ment, YOU should take those
who are in sympathy nth the laws, and who are
willing to do their whole duty without fear or
favor.
Much has been done by good men and women
the past year to kee D alive the cause of temper.
ance in our midst. Many men have been reform
ed, and arc now living sober and Industrious lives
the fruits OF their toll being enjoyed by wives
and children, instead Of going to fiji the pockets
of the rumseller. Too much praise cannot be be-
slowed upon our temperance organizations for
their efforts in this good cause of reformation.
There has been several cases of seizure and
destruction of liquors of which no report has
been made. 1t seems to me that the report of the
City Marshal is not complete without such
| statement.
The care and feeding of tramps has been q
source Of considerable trouble and expense the
past season, scarcely a night but our police are
called upon to furnish lodging for from one to
ten Of this irresponsible class Of persons. would