The New York herald., 1879-12-27
PUBLIC WORKS.

WATER AND SEWERAGE SYSTEMS.
Commissioner Allan Campbell, of the Department
OF Public Works. intends during the working season
of the coming year to direct his official attention to
making various improvements in the water system.
street psvements and sewerage of the city. During
the spring Of the present year the Commissioner has
endeavored as far as practicable. to do away with
wooden payements. These have been replaced inva-
riably by solid stone pavements. although for years
past q policy OF repairing the wooden pavements
was in vogue. The department. however. came to
tho conclusion that it would be cheaper and better
in every way for the city have its thorouehfares
paved with stone somo equally durable
material, and since this conclusion was
reached the repairing" policy has been prac-
ticaly abandoned AZ i'll advised and expensive. In
many instances from economical motives. pad wooo
havo been repaired by laying stone blocks
in certain portions OF the streets. This was done
some time since aud it was intended by the depart
ment in this manner to finally do away with tho
wooden pavements In order to ascertain what further
improvements were contemplated by Commissioners
Campbell HERALD reporter called upon that gentle
man last evening and as preliminary. asked him
to state generally what he proposed to do during the
coming year regard to the works under his control
as Commissioner.
"Well," replied the Commissioner "that is very
broad question. but will try to answer it. You see.
this department is very extensive one. 1t takes
charge OF all the public works. cares for the public
buildings. looks after the streets, attends to the
and keeps its attention constantly Axed upon
the Croton Water Works. Its sphere of action. as
you will thus see is very broad Last year the
department. took up all the wooden pavements and
in their stead laid good, solid pavement of stone
Then number OF streets have been repaved, and
quite denl of repairing has been done.
"What is to be done III this direction next year?'
In 1nrtar infutl irnH
1.-The efforts OF the department. will be in great
measure directed TO improving in some way certain
that that thoroughfare may be partially relieved
| from its present travel.
"How Is this to be doneY b.
Tho initiatory steps have been taken already
Centre street, from the City Hall to Canal street. has
been repsved and everything else has been done to
render 1t an exceptionally fne street for heavy
travel. Next spring. or ~ soon as the weather will
permit, it is proposed to further carry out this i'm
far Broomc street. and II practicable
along Marion street to Prince. by the improvement
which Is contemplated Broadway will be relieved Of
| ut least portion OF its immense traffic and fine
roadway will be made the eastern side of the city
| The great press ct business on Broadway has drawn
the attention Of the department to the fact that
steps should be taken to provide another business
outlet the result of the deberation will be
| III the road down Centre street."
"How about the streets generally in the city?'
''They will all be attended to-. 1t is intended to
not only repair all the streets needing repairing but
| to repave quite number OF thoroughfares. wher-
| ever there are ruts and holes.'
"About the downtown business streets will they
| be repaired or repavedT
'In nearly every the business thoroughfares
| will be repaved. The repairing policy, with refer
enco to these streets. the that will be gen.
orally adopted although in some instances 1t may
be found advisable to do So In every case whether
pavement will be laid 1t Is economy in this respect
| to tho best"
..What kind Of pavement will be laidY"
'sEither granite or trap block"
| THE CRoToN WATER SUPPLY.
"What will be the policy OF the department in ref
| erence the water supplyY'
''The department will endeavor to manage this
branch OF the public works greatly increase tho
supply of water to the people Of this city The
aqueduct will be thoroughly repaired. and number
OF improvements inaugurated, all looking to q
ALL all: 80 - =
"wil the Bronx River and Rye ponds be made
| available in this connectonY
"Most undoubtedly they WILL 1t is intended to
| draw from them and in this way create q further
in sl its parts and system obtaining water from
the Bronx and the ponds. the supply will be greatly
seq anu Iae peSp.e nave an St get
"How about the high service works?
"They afe TO be diligently proceeded with. The
water supply In the district north OF the Harlem
River is TO be greatly extended and increased. In
the spring 1t is expected that all residents whose
dwellings have been built on high ground will have
q constant supply OF Croton. The people that will
be most benefited by the completion OF tho high
service works will DO those whe live up town in the
high ground district. This portion OF our popua-
tion has long been annoyed by the fact that the
| OF their residences. When these works have been
completed these persons will be greatly relieved.
PROTECTION AGAINST A coNrLAaRATIoS.
| "The department will also take steps, continued
the Commissioner. Ito prevent q fire from gaining
| any considerable headway."
| ''In what particular" inquired the reporter
'ln reference to further providing an available
| water supply for tho Fire Department. The latter
ment understand the danger that would attend
| the breaking out OF large fire. aud steps nave
been taken to avert much damage as possible. In
| the upper portion OF the city u number Of large
pipes will be laid as to increase tho force OF the
water. large number Of new fire hydrants have
also been ordered and will be located wherever the
Fire Department shall signify its desire to have
them placed. The two departments working
| amicably together in this work and with a common
desire to lessen the damage to the city its people
by IRE. Next year this department will have money
to expeud for this purpose. aud intend comply
with all requests OF the Fire Comm ssioners in the
matter The water supply will be increased through
out the CITY and larger hydrants will be substituted
for the smaller ones that are now used in certain
THE SEWERS AND DRIVES.
"In what other direction will improvements be
inauguratedY'
''rhe department will certainly seek to improve
tracts tor SaiIains new sewer. have already been
given out On Fifth avenue between Fifty fifth and
streets large sewer Is TO be construetcd
OF great value. But noro extensive sewer is to be
built on West street, between Spring and West
Eleventh streets, and along Sixth avenue to West
Seventeenth street. This large sewer will De con-
nccted with others now in existence aud will drain
West street. West Eleventh street and
| the North River. This is known Sewer
district No. ~. 1t is very densey populated. aud
the district comprises over seven hundred and
fifty-fve acres of ground. This work is being
ried on in connection with the Health Department.
aud q sanitary prccaution 1t is most important"
| "Thc city drivcs-arc they to be hnishcdy'
Eyes; work on them is TO be vigorously pushed
forward. The Boulevard will be extended from 155th
street to the Kingsbridgc road. The Morningsidc
Park drive is to be completed. This will give very
iuc new circuit drive those desire to 80 be-
yond the Central Park. Competent engineers will be
! employed these works. and the completion of
the roads will be pushed forward the state Of the
season will allow"