Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-05-14

closely by Mr.. Cumming as 20 the
marsh land.
On further dissemination. the
witness said that comparatively
small amount or million dollars
might be spent in making a small
boat barber OF Salter's creek: il all
depended upon what was done.
City Clerk Floyd Hudgins.
City Clerk Floyd Hudgins. of New
port News. was placed on the stand
by the party defendant. Mr.. Hudgins
had with him the report OF the re-
trenchment committee of the city
council. and all OF the ordinances
adopted by the common council when
this report was considered. Mr.. Mas
sic objected strongly to the introduc-
ton of this evidence. on the ground
that the measures in question never
had been adohted by both branches
of the city council. and that the testi-
mony was irrelevant and immaterial.
The court cverruled the objection. and
Mr.. Massie noted an exception. Judge
Scott remarked that he thought III
tie retrenchment now and then was a
very good thing
Mr.. Hudgins read the report of the
retrenchment committee. recommend
ing the abolition cf certain offices and
a revision OF the city salary list
Mr.. Massie objected to all testi-
mony along this line: the objection
was overruled and an exception was
noted.
The court did net allow the re-
trenchment ordinances to be read.
saying that it would lumber up" the
record uselessly. 1t developed from
the witness testimony that the only
Ordinance recommended by the COM
mittee that passed either branch with
cut amendment was the one reducing
the mayors salary from 1900 a year
to $500. This passed the common
council only.
J. n. Graves.
j. II. Graves. agent for the Chesa-
peake & Ohio railroad at Newport
News. the last witness for the petit
TONERS. was put on the stand at this
point. Mr.. Graves said he lives at
the corner of PARK and Blair avenues
and owns his home He deemed an
nexation desirable and necessary, in
order that his section might be given
lights and fire and police protection.
and for other reasons advanced by
the various witnesses. Witness said
that a negro who attends TO Mr.
Lakes farm adjoining his home on
the Hampton side frequently fires his
gun at all hours of the night to keep
thieves off the place.
On cross-eaxmination Mr. Graves
said he had never made personal
complaint to the officers of Elizabeth
City county about conditions existing
in his neighborhood.
County Surveyor Chambers.
Girard Chambers, county surveyor of
Elizabeth City county, was placed on
the stand for the party defendant He
identified a map prepared by him Of
the territory propos ed to be annexed.
showing in red the property upon
which houses have been built in the
section east of Salter's creek, and in
green the improved property west OF
Salters creek, exclusive of DeanyIlle.
The witness calculated that there are
273 7-10 acres in the whole territory,
including swamp land. OF the terri
tory west of Salter's creek IS2 acres
is high land, and AZ acres marshy. He
estimated that there were about nine
teen acres in the whole territory not
laid Off in lcts.
On cross-examlnatiOn Mr.. Massie
brought out the fact that the map in
evidence does not show the marsh
and low lands. Mr.. Bachelor brought
out the fact that the map was made
two years ago and that the witness
did not know what improvements mad
been made in the territory since that
time.
Fire Chief Stow.
w. X. Stow, chief of the Newport
News fire department, was next call
ed to the stand. The witness de-
scribed the city fire fighting stations
and equipment. Answering Mr.. Cum
ming he said that if the section pro-
posed to be annexed east Of Salter's
creek should be taken into the city
it would be necessary to provide a
new fire station at cost OF about
$4,000 to protect the property. II
would cost about $4,000 a year to
maintain such station.
Cross-examined by Mr.. Massie. the
witness said that the East End fire
station Is about 2 1-2 blocks from the
city limits. and that since January l
of this year the company at that sta
ton had responded to 81 alarms. The
station covers all OF the territory in
the city east OF Warwick avenue ex-
cept the section known as Orvine.
which is protected by the central sta.
ton The central station is within
two blocks Of the boundary of the