The New York herald., 1879-02-27
PUBLIC WORKS.

REPORT OF COMMISSIONER cAMPBE1L-rNrER-
EsTINo FACTS AND FIGUREs-THE CROTCH
WATER sUPPLY-THE ELECTRIC LIGHT PRO-
NoUNCED IMPRAcTIcABLE FOR LIGHTING THE
CITY AT PRESENT.
Commissioners Campbell. of the Department Of
Public Works. sent to Mayor Cooper yesterday after
noon his annual report for 1878. After giving de-
tailed statement of the operations of the department
during the quarter ending December 81, 1878. the
following comparison Is made between the amounts
expended yearly since 1s71In 1871. ST. ,091 rs
was spent; in 1872. $5s26, 112 81; in 1878.
$7,647. .s36 "a; In 1874. $7,609.93l 80; in 1875.
$5,y19.752 16; in 1876 $4,35S,095 40; in 1877,
s3,Oss, 1853 80. and in 1878. $2s6O,3ol co. In this
connection Mr.. Campbell says:-"In considering the
subject of expenditures it should be remembered
that the city is steadily growing in population extent
and improvements, and that after the level of sound
economy has once been reached moderate increase
must from year to in the current expense
of conducting the ctys affairs irrespective of special
works of improvement that may from time to time
be undertaken"
The following statement of the expenditures of the
department from the proceeds Of bonds during the
past eight years is gven:--In 1871, s8,5S5,s9S 99
1872 $4.021.6 GAS 81; 1873, $6155.205 30 1874,
$59S1 966 IA 1875, $4 S01 Ia 1876. $2907 OIL AL
1871 $1,472727 90; 1875 1881. .080 IT, The report
next takes up the water supply of this city The rain
fall was so abundant during the year that no diff
Guilty experienced in getting sufficient water to
keep tho aqueduct to its utmost capacity, and for
short periods only in July. August and October was
it necessary to draw from Lake Mahopac or the
Boyds Corners reservoir. From the lake, 526 900
were drawn from Boyd's Corners short
history OF the new storage reservoir on
the middle branch of the Croton River.
which was begun in 1874 and completed in October
last, Is then given. Its is 430 greatest
depth 81 feet and its capacity is 1000 gallons
with this new reservoir, continues Commissioner
Campbell. "the at Boyd's Corners and the natu-
raj lakes our storage capacity in the Croton valley
:. Al or be nrsssn sp u
On account of the unusual strain to which the
aqueduct has been subjected, large amount of
work has been done in order to strengthen it. The
report gives short history OF the work performed
In this connection.
The report in referring to the distribution of the
high service supply. says:-"In December last the
Common Council finally adopted and the Mayor ap-
partment to build the additional high service works
contemplated by an act of the Legislature of 1878
(chapter 3S6), and long ago recommended by me- The
works will be located on the ground lately occupied
by the masonry aqueduct, between Ninety-seventh
aud Ninety streets. 100 feet west OF Ninth
nue., owned by the city, and will consist OF two
pumping engines, stand pipe and tank, with neces-
sary fixtures and buildings, and the pipes to effect
the proper distribution OF water The cost is limited
to 1920 900, to be paid out of the moneys here
tofore appropriated by the Legislature for
laying pipes and for other works necessary to i'm
prove and extend the distribution of Croton water
contract for the excavations and foundations has
already been made, and the remainder of the work
will be contracted for at early day. The compile
ton of the works will require about year. They
will be of ample capacity to furnish, i'll conjunction
with the present high service works full supply
at all those points in the upper part OF the city at
which the pressure from the ordinary service is now
deficient"
good deal Of space is given in the report to a
discussion Of the question of wasting water. Notices
have been sent to citizens the subject and meters
have been placed along the river fronts ana in stables
The Commissioner then gives account of how
the sum Of $780, 900, appropriated for street pave
ments, was expended. A list of the thoroughfares
that have been repaved il gven and 1t is stated that
keeping the streets in good condition, especially
where the streets are narrow, and recommendation
Is made that the cars OF al companies IN the same
perfectly feasible and would improve the pavement
aud facilitate general trafc. Trucks and carriages
now shun the streets which are thus occupied by
railways. The hne granite pavement laid last year
in Fourteenth street il impaired by duplicate rails,
laid almost side by side. because two companies.
both Of limited traffic could not or would not arrange
to run upon the same tracks. The surface railroads
have been and will continue to be OF great value to
the city, but they should be operated to impede
other traffic as little as possible.
LIGHTING CITY.
The cost of lighting the city during 1878 was less
than for any year since 1863 although there has been
an increase since that time of about six thousand
lamps and some additional expenditures last for
lighting armories and drill rooms The Commits
sioner says that in comparison with other cities
America and Europe New York must be pronounced
q poorly lighted city. The consideration of an in
crease Of thrtythree and one-half per cent in the
Of burners after May 1. 1880 is urged and the
total cost the entire city substituting four
foot burners for those Of three feet, increas-
ing the consumption Of gas thrty-three and
onethird per cent and adding forty-three
and one-hsk per cent to the amount
of light is estimated by Mr. Campbell at SIP 670.
The report then reviews the result OF certain photo
metricM tests applied to the electric light, the
conclusion is reached that at present it is imprscti
cable Mr. Campbell also advises that the lighting
and extingushing Of the street lamps shouldbe re-
quired be done in half hour instead of hour,
~ Mt present
Under the head of Revenue tho report gives an
account Of the amounts collected for water rents
and other purposes. From all sources the total
has been 81 665. .223 o. For Croton rents alone
the sum of g., 500 20 was received.