The Jersey City news., 1903-08-18

walks built III the Watching tunnel.
Out Of the total required length Of I 400
feet .t52 feet Of side walls hive been
built and 4.424 feet Of arch turned.
Tie total length Of concrete couduits
required Is as folloWs:
Conduit, No. !. 4.57O feet.
Candnit No. 2, $500 feet.
Conduit No. 8, $3.50 feet.
Conduit No.4 5000 feet.
In all 20.510 feet.
W to July !, work on these sections
consisted principally of excavation. Dur
ms July aetaial construction has gone ON
and as a result 1926 feet Of conduit have
been built and d concrete aqueduct across
Third river Is about completed. Owing to
the faulty methods. portions of the con-
duits early laid did not turn out satis-
factorily and the nlvertion places will
have to be gone over The defects while
annoying are permission Of satisfactory
correction.
The filling over pipe in meadows east
Of the Hackensack in order to provide
the specifications depth of covering is
still progressing.
As regards the main dam construction
has progressed, as from time to time
have Informed you more in this country
on work of like character and though the
force has been increased so that now ~
gangs of masons, four concrete mixers
and twenty derricks mrs employed. /
hardly see how any increase in rate can
he expected. ! feel it proper to state
that even with the maintenance Of that
rate have but little expectation that the
dam, as a whole can be fully completed
within the contract period. 1t does look
however as if it could be so far finished
as to permit Of the use of the Rockaway
water provided the dixie. the conduits and
Watching tunnel are completed and in
readiness for use at that date.
On the 18th of July the Chief Engineer
OF the contractor was given writ
ten notice that yopr engineer was
impressed With the fact that the
work on the embankment for the
Parsippany dixie was way behind
hand, that the then facilities would
not permit of satisfactory progress and
that it was necessary that radical ac-
tion should be taken if the work VAS to
be finished on time. The Jersey City
Water Supply Co.. took the matter up
immediately and notice was served on
their sub-contractor calling for better re-
suits or the work would be taken out of
his hands. The sub-sub-contractor
thereupon abandoned his contract, thus
| freeing the hands Of the sub-contractor
for the dixie as a whole.
! am glad to report vigorous action on
| his part, two traction engines and grading
| machines. some forty teams and another
| steam shovel. have been secured and
am promised that if required the plant
| will still be further increased.
AS stated in my last report progress
on lining the Watching tunnel was not
| satisfactorF and the contractor has been
SO duly advised. Better results were look
ed for. in the past month, but have not
been forthcoming. The mana cement has
been changed and it looks at last as if
there Was a prospect of more satisfactory
| progress.
The contractors attention has also been
called to the fact that your Engineer was
not satisi1d with the method employed
in constructing the first concrete conduits.
The method criticised has been changed
and better results have followed.
There is now every reason for inferring
that with reasonable weather and proper
energy that the concrete conduits will be
ready for use within the contract period.
Respectfully submitted.
(signed) GARWOOD FERRIS
Engineer in Charge.
Received and referred to the Commit
tee on New Water Works.
Report Of the clerk: -
Jersey City, July %, 1903
Honorable Board of Street and Water
Gentlemen: The Commissioners of As
sessment have filed with me on this date
their preliminary assessment map for I'M.
provement of Armstrong avenue from end
of present pavement at Van Cfeef street
to Ocean avenue.
And for the construction Of sewer in
Bergen avenue from Ege avenue to and
connecting with sewer in Bergen avenue
at Virginia avenue,
Respectfully submitted.
GEORGE T. BOUTON
Clerk.
Received and ordered fled.
From the same ofiice:-
Jersey City. August 4, 1903.
Hon. Board Of Street and Water Com
missioners:
Gentlemen: The Commissioners of As
sessment have filed with me their final
assessment map and report for the inn
provenlent Of Bidwell avenue from Ocean
avenue to Jackson avenue.
Respectfully submitted.
GEORGE T. BOUTON,
Clerk.
Received and ordered filed.
REPORTS OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
The Chief Engineer reported certifi-
Gates in favor f.
Diodena Cupo, $4,000 on account of
contract. No. 400.
William f. Anstett. $315.O0 on account
of contract No. 1890.
Henry Walter $4,000 on account of
contract No. 1903.