The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-16
VARIOUS TOPICS
sCRAPED UP AT THE CITY HALL AND
ELSEWHERE.

There was another private meeting Of the
City Administrators In the Mayors paEior yes
terday afternoon. the length Of which would
naturally lead to the supposition that ponder
Gus work was done. The only thing that
cropped out was that Administrator Houston's
proposition to close up the batture pest holes.
referred to In the DEMOCRAT recently. was
agreed upon. and that the ordinance relative
thereto would be adopted at the meeting Of the
Council on Tuesday next. Owners OF riparian
rights along the line OF these holes are re-
minded that they will have to fill them up
otherwise the city will have the filing done at
the owners expense.
TEE HOME.
The institution for the aged and infirm. 1t is
thought will receive the special attention Of the
city administration. with view OF endeavoring
to improve Its condition In so far as the gratif-
cation of the sight is concerned. for otherwise
1t cannot be improved. The ameioration would
consist of supplying the institution with some
extra bedding. q coat Of paint to the building
and possibly other improvements. Admins
TRAITOR Chevalley informs US that the daily appro-
priation for each inmate Of the Home does not
exceed twenty three cents for food. fuel cloth
ing and matron's salary; In fact, for everything
necessary to conduct the establishment. and
that $1,000 or $4,000 more year would remark
ably assist in carrying 1t on.
THE TELEPHONE
Mr. W. IT, Bofnger the superintendent OF the
telephone company, has begun the location of
the telephones for the use of the Mayor In con-
nection with the chief OF policies Office and all
the stations. The wires will be entirely separ-
ate from all others. thus enabling communica-
ton between the City Hall and the police to be
Of an entirely private character.
LARoR SAVING MACHINES.
Administra or Houston will soon experiment
with some new scraping and ditching ma
chimes, which are furnished for the purpo SO
| free of charge. From the latter instrument
especially great saving to the city IL ex pected
In ditching the upper districts and the rear OF
| one horse, is claimed to possess the ability OF
| burrowIng In one day from 100 TO 300 rods Of
dches three eel feet vide at the fpP and three feet
broken, but taken up In large cubes and depos-
| tied at q distance from the ditch by the same
| i'm plement, thereby avoiding the filing up of
| the trench by the washing OF the loose dirt In
case of rain. The machine costs only $3.50.
| THE vATE8woRKs.
| In an interview yesterday with Mr.. Ed. Toby,
president of the Waterworks Company. we
| were informed that quantity OF the piping
and other maerial ordered for the improve
| ment and extension Of the wateryorks would
| be- ready for delivery In New Orleans on the
twenty fifth of April. according to agreement
with the Philadelphia foundryman that has
contracted to do the larger portion OF the cast
| ings. mr.. Toby says that he will then be ready
in all probability. to give employment to $50 OF
200 workmen, in laying the pipes and recon.
strueting the reservoirs. two OF which were de-
molished. Academia ly. q few years ago. Bos
ton firm has also been contracted with to sup
ply the company with number OF improved
street fire hydrants. which will be compare
with another style ordered from the Philadel
ANOTHER INVENTION.
Mr.. John P. Cotaya. native inventor. whose
new electric fire alarm indicator we noticed In
the DEMOCRAT few weeks ago. was INTRODUCED
t. the. Mayor yesterday by Gen. Behan; Mr.
Cotaya's call was for the purpose of exhibitins
an ingenious contrivance-an automatic froI
shutter opener-the object of which is to avoiC
the difficulties our. firemen frequently expo
case of fire. The appliance may be described
as follows; Metallic rods, very sensitive to thu
action Of heat are placed In various portions
Of building. In case Of fire the heat expands
the rods to contact with another piece of meta
connected with magnet. which. In its turn. 4
The ae electric current being formed the arma
| ture Is attracted to. the poles Of the magnet.
weight is released which jerks the pin from
action of springs with which they are pro
vided. Not only Is very little heat required +
cause the necessary expansion OF the rods, bu
the machinery can be regulated to almost an
, On Tuesday Mr.. Cotaya. will exhibit his inven
, ton to the directors, OF the Merchants In
surance Company of this city. at the Invitation
of the latter.
MIgOE NOTES.
, The committee on the revision Of the polio
rules. appointed at a recent meeting Of th
Council were in private session part of Yes
terday.
Administrator Houston and Surveyor Brow
. made personal visit along the levee yestei
/ day, examining the batture holes.
administrator Chevalsey is visiting the pub
lie markets and fire engine-houses of the cit
, to ascertain what repairs may be needed
J them.