The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-31
Harbor Commissioners.

The city of Providence has been called upon
TO carry out its contract with the state to re-
move from Seekonk river material equal in
amount TO that forced beyond prescribed
limits by filing from the Brook street district,
which was placed by the city several years
ago near the shore opposite the present foot
of T~ockwotten street. This filling was de-
posted contrary 10 the advice OF the cominis-
sioners, and about 81 per cent. of the material
put In, either In itself or by displacement,
went beyond the lines defined in the license.
The harbor commissioners have given much
consideration TO highway and railroad bridges
over water ways; bridges across the east
passage near Tiverton and those over the BAR
rington river having been specially under
discussion. A proposed broadway into Point
Judith pond has been the subject OF commu-
nication between the commissioner and the
committee on rivers and harbors OF the United
States house of Representatives.
From this department comes an urgent de-
mand for legislation regulating the use OF
draw bridges, and giving the commissioner
authority to prevent such deposits OF materials
beyond tide waters rs will inevitably ny the
operations of nature be carried forward or
washed into navigable waters,
The growing popularity OF our shore resorts
and the enormous traffic to ana from the city
during the summer months, makes II deslr-
able that authority be placed In an officer OF
the state To inspect wharves and other struc-
lures used by the public. Fortunately no fatal
disaster has yet occurred 20 emphasize TINS
oft-repcatcd recommendation OF the harbor
commissioners.
hope the day is not far distant when the
excellent harbor facilities presented by the
bay which divides our state will be developed
and utilized - their fullest extent. The con-
nection Of our railroads with tide water Will
greatly promote the utilization Of our natural
recour ses In this direction, but much Will de-
pend upon the energy and enterprise or
our business men. This state undoubtedly
possesses the finest harbor approaches on the
SAtlantic coast, free from rocks and shifting
channels, well lighted and OF sufficient depth
TO float in perfect safety the same vessels that
now seek New York and Boston. The pilot
commissioners, In his report 20 me. presents
another strong plea for the increase or our
commerce.. In the fact that our port charges
arc much less than those Of tho ports before
alluded TO. Custom house dues, towage,
pilotage, dockage and : hip supplies, taken as
n whole, can be- obtained, he estlmates Al tho
port OF Providence ut "A cost 8 per cent. less
than at New York and p per cent less than at
Boston.
The commission appointed 10 inquire into the
obligation OF the state In relation 10 the stone
bridge In the Seaconnet river will report DUR
ing this session.
Fisheries.
The commissioners on inland fisheries re-
port that the past two warm seasons have
been detrimental TO the stream and pond hsh-
ing, necessitating renewed stocking of nearly
all the streams to bring them 10 their high
state OF productiveness OF three years ago.
The fry obtained from i0.OD eyed brook trout
eggs has been distributed In different sections
OF the state. No c~onsignments OF sh~i Try,
land-looked salmon or Penobscot salmon have
been received during the past season from the
United States commissioner u fisheries.
Reports from the bay fisheries show the
past season Ca have been an unusually pfont-
able one There has been an aoqndapee 81