New-York tribune., 1880-02-15

The plan OF improvement Of the Croton Aqueduct,
begun three years ago. makes the secure but
owing small appropriations only 5000 nea feet had
been strengthened up TO January l. 1879 In 1879
the work further extended 47S1 lineal feet For
1880 the Department mas appropriation OF S150.ooo
for this work which provides for further extension OF
Improvement OF about IA 600 nca feet and leaves
about % 600 lnea for future provision. The
foot pipes laid in 1s6667 In Nnetieth-s and III Eighth
ave-. in place OF the masonry aqueduc liable TO
frequent breakage and have cost over $4,000 for
pairs since 1872 An appropriation OF 100000 has been
made for replacing them with fouroot pipes this
year, which will not be liable to rupture or leaks
The new ge the middle branch OF the
CrotOn the early summer Of 1873 proves Of
ample solidity miles Of pipes laid and
473 fire hYdrants placed in extending the dis
trbutiou of water Under law Of 1879 a has
been made with the City OF Yonkers for furnishing
water for the Rlverdale and spuyten Duyvi districts
and other contracts made furnishing a
The distributing pipes.
The new high service works at Ninth ave- and Ninety
eghth-st., begun in February, 1879 after years
endeavor obtain the necessary authority. will be
pleted and Spring Until more water is OBJ
tanned by cOnduts, fair distribution 10 all points
can only be maintained by vigorous suppress on OF
waste and the Department. has there resolved upon
general application OF water metres TO all business
establishments where large quantities Of water used
and wasted; 797 metres placed last year, and
1898 IN II is estimated That the applca-
ton metres in all business establishments, cOntem
plated, viii result in suppression OF waste amounting
to least 600 gallons daily. making with daily
supply Of 0000 600 gal ons from the Bronx and Byrdm
a gain Of 10000 600 gallons daily; and by extending
suppie OF private houses. the supply for
necessary and useful purposes be increased 40
cent, and the necessity OF expensive new aqueduc
postponed.
Tie question OF the removal OF the Forty
second.st reservoir having recently been brought
ers Of the Sinking Fund, Commissioner Camp
bell repeats the opinion expressed in previous
ports that the reservoir Is no longer necessary or useful
aud should therefore not be allowed TO occupy the
valuable ground on which stands 5 acresl worth at
least ~ 100000; ana that the interests of the city
would be best promoted By converting the site Into
park , , A., p, .. -,
the full amount $500 900, allowed by the Act OF 1875
for repaving streets hecming sound economy 70
pend each year una! the streets shOnld he
condition TO insure safe and mt tan pof
ami AppOrOnment, however. made no provision for toe
work for 1879 and 1876 and limited the amount 10
ceedng Last year the authority 10 proceed with
the work withheld in the Common Council un,il
July H. and in consequence OF this delay about 10000
pleted
Tine improvement In the specifications for pavemens.
introduced i'll 1876 produces work much superior to the
old block pavements. There sti eighty miles
OF cobbe stone aud many miles OF inferior stone block
pavemens unfit for streets favOring the accumula
ton OF dirt and Obstructive 10 travel. Until further
progress is made In replacing them with good payements
annual appropriation OF %l50O0O for the repairs OF
300 miles OF paveInens Is hardly suclent 10 Keep
them IN fair cOnuti0n. The trials OF specimens OF
asphalt pavement viii prove useful in determining The
style OF and trst-class pavement for Fifthave.
from Washington square 10 flfty-nnth-st,whlch VIII DC
required at no distant day.
Durng the vast year 1928 lneal feet OF sewers and
culvcrts and 80 receiving basins were hnilt making
present extent OF sewerage system 37lo0 miles OF
sewers. cuverts drains with 524 receiving basins
The expense Of repairing and cleaning sewers ana
basins Tor 1879 $62 800 about oneird OF that OF
1875. and less than onc-haf of that of 1868,
The number of public lamps was Increased during lhe
year from % 167 70 23136 The expenditure for pbt
md nal lam nd I'm
lie buildings markets. arinories etc. for 1879 was
$4S2911 65. BY substituting ourfoot burners for three
foot burners the Hight from all lamps south OF seventy
nnth-st may be Increased nearly 90 per cent at tho
moderate OF about S53 000 but the appropriation
for 1880 makes allowance Tor this increase. In COM
parson with other large American and European cities
New-YOrk IL poorly lighted.
The free floating baths much patroniGed. Tho
total attendance for the season was 2.Ssl,27 Two
new baths were built, making eight baths now owned by
the city.
BY recent decisions OF Judges Van Worst and Van
Brunt of the Supreme Court, the laws reference 10
street membranes have last received such nerpre
tatOn TO enable the Department TO proceed more
effectively with the work Of removing Objectionable OBJ
The desire Of the companies and the pub
lie TO the elevated roads early AS
possible led to their opening before depots
Tor cars ana engines grounds outside the streets
side tracks the streets This state OF things has
continued longer than necessary The grants 10 these
companies do authorize the use OF streets Tor snch
purposes The standing OF ana engines streets
deprecates adjacent property and causes annoyance 10
passing travellers by the dropping OF wafer oil and coal
The Commissioner called the attention OF the companies
10 this matter several months ago, requiring tnem
provide depOs rolling stock, fuel etc. outside the
streets and make provision against the dropping of
OIL coal etc, upon walks and pavenents On the 30h
OF December last Of the officers OF The company now
operatDg ali the roads answered that land had been
procured and depOts would be constructed without un
necessary delay. Under rcHOu'lOn OF the common
Council the Commissioner long since required me com,
pancs place proper lights the pillars which stand
Ia the middle OF nfeTsecing streets, bur they have not
complied and the Department has no power 10 enforce