Morning journal and courier., 1882-01-17
THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.

Net indebtedness. Sas84. .7sS % THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
 In the early part of the year the name of the commission having charge of our streets, parks, sewers, psvements, bridges, etc, was changed from the fBoard of Road Commis- sioners" to that of the ''Board of Public Works, l" title more in keeping with the in- terests involved than the one which it super seded- The large and varied charges of this commission have been administered with commendable zeal by it's members collective ly and individually.
 Many and protracted hearings were had on matters referred to them and in all their transactions, I can safely affirm, the best in- terests of the taxpayers were carefully consid- cred.
 During the year l. .422 miles of sewers were constructed, making the total length of sew CTS now in existence St. 5o3 miles In our neighboring city of Providence which, as you know, has a much larger pop l ulation than this city, there was constructed in the last year but 1.026 miles of sewers, and the total length of sewers in that city exceeds that of ours by less than eight miles, being exactly 44.231 miles, From these figures you can see that we are keeping up with our sister cities in the matter of sewer extension without resorting to extraordinary measures. The increase in extent of paved streets amounted to but AT of a mile, making the entire length of paved streets in the city 13. S53 miles.
 THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
 The force and apparatus of this dass ment is substantially the same as it was year ago. There were in ali one hundred- and forty-two alarms, of which number but forty-six were bell alarms
 Six lives were lost by fire during the yeax, all of persons outside of the department The value of property destroyed will not exceed $53, 900, of which sum about $4l 900 was paid in insurance, leaving the net loss at about S9, GOO. No one fire occasioned loss exceeding SlO,00o. A handsomely equipped house for steam engine company No. l on Howard avenue has been built.
 The pay of the members of the depart ment has been slightly increased and feel that no apology is needed in announcing this fact The efficiency of the force continues in it's admirable record of the pak, and the commissioners and officers have faithfully tried to furnish with the utmost protsc- tfon from fire consistent with the means at hand.
 FIRE MARSHAL Two hundred and serenty-six building permits were granted by this official in the past year, beside twenty-five permits for re- pairs, removing, etc. Of these Al were for frame dwellings, 29 for brick dwellings. g for frame additions and 29 for brick addi- tions. The total value of improvements con- templated in these permits is $694, $50, an increase of $21S, 960 over the previous year. This is gratifying evidence of the prosperity of the times and of the growth of the city. THE POLICE DEPABTNKST. From the report of the Chief of this de- pertinent I learn that the efficiency of ths police force is satisfactory to the officers in charge. During the year two officers were discharged, two resigned and one died The Chief recommends and approve the recom- mendation, that the outskirts of the city be better protected by the appointment of a 1 few mounted policemen Tkere is 10 req l son why citizens on the outskirts are not en- titled to as much protection as those living m the central portions of the city, and believe that this protection can be best afforded in
 the manner recommended by the Chisf. l HKALIH DxsABTNEEE.
 The benefits arising from well-orgznizsd s&n- CooscLuDKD ON voUHTE PAeE