USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1898 > Part 8
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PERMANENT FORCE.
Charles P. Costa, Age 51, Michael P. Barry, Age 37, Henry T. Brown, Age 39, Gilbert M. Wight, Age 41, George Faircloth, Age 25, Charles C. Weeks, Age 42, Faxon Billings, Age 28, George H. Nicholson, Age 55, James O'Brien, Age 40, Alfred L. Meade, Age 30,
Engineman Assistant Engineman Driver of Engine Supt. Fire Alarm Driver Hook & Ladder No. 1 Driver Combination No. 1 Driver Combination No. 2 Driver Hose No. 2 Driver Hose No. 3 Driver Hose No. 4
170
APPARATUS.
The apparatus consists of one steam fire engine, two combi- nation chemical engines, one ladder truck, four hose wagons, three hose reels, one express wagon for fire alarm work, in good repair ; one exercise wagon loaded with one thousand feet of hose for immediate use; one chemical engine in good repair, and one hand engine not in use. Also one thousand feet new hose, nine thousand and fifty feet hose in fair condition and eighteen hundred feet of hose condemned.
HORSES.
There are some horses in the department which will soon have to be replaced. The number now in service is fifteen, three having been purchased the past year. The general health of the horses had been excellent, which is due to the good care and management on the part of those having them in charge. This important branch of the department receives, as it deserves, con- stant attention. The stable arrangements in nearly all our houses have been improved, and good light and ventilation are points which have had consideration. The hay, straw, oats and feed purchased during the year have been of the best.
HOUSES.
During the past year the houses of the department have been overhauled, and are now all convenient and comfortable. They are not only creditable but an ornament to the city. New beds and bedding, chairs and tables have been supplied according to the needs of the different houses.
FIRE ALARM.
This indispensable branch of the Fire Department service must, of necessity, be kept in good condition to ensure its being at all times and under all circumstances, perfectly reliable. Proper care and management is justly regarded as of the first importance. Electrician Wight is entitled to credit for the able manner in which he has managed this branch of the service. During the year the fire alarm has been extended to Newcomb square, also to Johnson's lumber yard with private box, and at
171
the present time automatic connection is being made at the Rivet Works, Wollaston, with the steam whistle. Hose House No. 4 has also been connected the past year.
FIRES.
Your attention is especially called to the fact that, during the past year, the city has, withi few exceptions, been free from very large or disastrous conflagrations. This exemption is due, in a great measure to the promptness on the part of the men, and their quick comprehension of the needs in each instance.
Many fires have occurred during the year, and could be specially enumerated, which were promptly extinguished, most of them with small loss, but which had in them, from the charac- ter of the buildings, their contents and surroundings, the ele- ments of an extensive conflagration. How true this is, must be evident to all who have watched closely the operations of the past year.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I would call your attention to the necessity of having more permanent men, that the efficiency of the department may be maintained. I would therefore recommend that another perma- nent man be appointed for Combination No. 1; also another for Combination No. 2; also one spare driver for Central Station, and one spare driver for outside work.
I would also recommend that all engine houses be connected with each other by telephone, and also with the Chief.
I would recommend that a new Hook and Ladder truck be purchased that there may be better protection to the different portions of the city.
I would recommend the purchasing of 3,000 feet of hose.
I would recommend that land be purchased and a house built large enough to keep two horses and hose carriage, and ladder truck at Houghs Neck. I would also recommend that a deputy chief of the Fire Department be appointed, to have charge, in case of sickness or absence from the city of the Chief. To be on duty the same as the chief, and to have a stated salary, to compensate for services and expense of horse keeping. The
172
salary to be, three hundred dollars per year for services, and two hundred dollars per year for horse keeping. The deputy to be under obligations to keep a horse in order to promptly attend to the dúties of the office.
FIRES AND ALARMS.
There were ninety-one alarms during the year : Bell alarms, forty-three; still alarms, forty-eight.
The value of property, $252,529.50.
The loss on property, $39,108.65.
The insurance on property, $142,725.00.
FIRE RECORD.
In this list of fires each fire is numbered, and a second table follows which gives by those numbers the value, damage and in- surance both on the buildings and contents :
No. Fire.
1. Jan. 3, Box 38, 9.00 P. M., dwelling house on Centre street, owner Cushing Baker, cause lamp explosion.
2. Jan. 5. still alarm, 2.00 P. M., dwelling house on Sea street, owner John Q. Adams, cause, sparks from fire-place.
3. Jan. 6, Box 76, 3.00 A. M., wooden building in North Weymouth.
5. Jan. 9, still alarm, dwelling house on Grove street, owner Daniel O'Connell, cause unknown.
4. Feb. 1, still alarm, 8.00 P. M., Granite Railway Co.'s engine house, Bates avenue, cause unknown.
6. Feb. 8, Box 35, 7.15 A. M., dwelling house No. 6 School street, owner Dr. Joseph M. Sheahan, cause, overheated furnace pipe.
7. Feb. 9, still alarm, 3.00 A. M., dwelling house No. 12 Chest- nut street, owner, M. Willis, cause, unknown.
8. Feb. 20, Box 26, 7.20 A. M., barn No. 28 Coddington street, owner Henry H. Faxon, cause, kerosene stove.
9. Feb. 20, still alarm, 7.45 P. M., elm tree Hancock street, cause, electric wire.
10. Feb. 27, still alarm, 6.15 P. M., grass fire at Merry Mount park.
173
No. Fire.
11. March 7, Box 46, 9.45 A. M., wrapper factory Willard street, owners Badger Bros., cause, sparks from loco- motive.
12. March 8, Box 172, 8.10 A. M., dwelling house on Glencoe place, owner William Reynolds.
13. March 13, Box 46, 7.00 P. M., dwelling house Copeland street, owner George Elcock, cause, rats and matches.
14. March 14, still alarm, 6.30 P. M., grass fire Beale street, cause unknown.
15. March 15, still aların, 12.45 P. M., grass fire Third Hill cause unknown.
16 March 16, still alarm, 4.10 P. M., lunch wagon Washington street, owner C. Parker, cause, gasoline stove.
17. March 18, still alarm, 6.30 P. M., grass fire Faxon park.
18. March 18, still alarm, 7.15 P. M., grass fire Merry Mount Park.
19. March 20, still alarm. 4.45 P. M., grass fire Point holes.
20 March 21, still alarm, 4.30 P. M., grass fire Atlantic.
21. April 1, still alarm, 9.30 P. M., grass fire Houghs Neck.
22. April 17, Box 36, 5.45 A. M., dwelling house No. 13 Quincy street, owner Fred. Green, cause, fire from chicken brooder.
23. April 23, Box 43, 10.40 A. M., dwelling house corner of Copeland and Common streets, owner Mrs. Michael Batts, cause, matches.
24. April 24, Box 27, 4.35 A. M., bakery Washington street, owner Miss Harriet S. Bent, cause, overheated oven.
25. April 25, Box 446, 11.50 A. M., store Copeland street, owner city of Quincy, cause, incendiary.
26. April 25, Box 53, 2.30 P. M., dwelling house Prospect street, owner Mrs. O. L. Rice, cause, oil stove.
27. April 30, Box 446, 3.10 A. M., store Copeland street, owner City of Quincy, cause, incendiary.
28. May 1, still alarm, 2.00 A. M., tree Washington street, cause, electric wire.
29. May 8, still alarm, 5.00 P. M., dwelling house No. 56 Wash- ington street, owner W. E. Tisdale, cause, oil stove.
30. May 22, Box 441, 3.15 A. M., blacksmith shop Quarry street, owner Erick Carlson, cause, incendiary.
,
174
No. Fire.
31. June 10, Box 56, 12 05 M., freight house Newport avenue, owner N. Y., N. H. and H. R. R., cause, sparks from locomotive.
32. June 13, Box 56, 1.15 P. M., dwelling house Newport avenue, owner George W. Whall, cause, hot ashes.
33. June 15, still alarm, 3.00 P. M., bath house Beach street, owner National Sailors' Home, cause unknown.
34. June 16, Box 26, 9.45 P. M., Old Court Room building Han- cock street, owner Henry H. Faxon, cause, fire-works.
35. June 20, Box 43, 6.40 P. M., hen house Copeland street, owner Michael Batts, cause, smoking pipe.
36. June 21, Box 63, 9.00 P. M., Atlantic street bridge Atlantic, owner N. Y., N. H. and H. R. R., cause, sparks from 'locomotive.
37. July 3, still alarm, 11.45 P. M., electric light poles Water street, owner Quincy Electric Light and Power Co., cause, incendiary.
38. July 3, still alarm, 3.00 P. M., grass fire South street, owner Henry H. Faxon, cause, fire-works.
39. July 4, Box 52, 9.45 A. M., dwelling house Fayette street, owner George H. Field, cause, fire-works.
40. July 4, Box 36, 10.30 A. M., stone sheds Quincy street, owner Mitchell Granite Co., cause, fire-works.
41. July 4, still alarm, 12.15 M., battery house Atlantic, owner N. Y., N. H. and H. R. R., cause, incendiary.
42. July 4, still alarm, 7.30 A. M., dwelling house Copeland street, owner E. Ramsdell.
43. July 5, Box 43, 3.30 A. M., stone shed West street, owner Thomas Carey, cause, incendiary.
44. July 5, Box 172, 3.30 P. M., dwelling house Glencoe place, owner William Reynolds, cause, fire crackers.
45. July 5, Box 172, 7.30 P. M., dwelling house Glencoe place, owner William Reynolds, cause, fire-crackers.
46. July 7, Box 35, 6.10 P. M., dwelling house High School avenue, owner Abbott E. Willett, cause, matches.
47. July 10, Box 49, 3.00 P. M., barn No. 34 Willard street, owner Frank Shatzell, cause, matches.
48. July 21, still alarm, 10.00 A. M., fence Alantic street, cause, grass fire.
175
No. Fire.
49. July 28, still alarm, 1.55 A. M., tar barrel Winthrop street, owner John Cavanagh, cause, incendiary.
50. July 30, still alarm, 5.00 P. M., tree Chestnut street, cause, lightning.
51. Aug. 2, still alarm, 10.30 A. M , dwelling house No. 9 Liberty street, owner Mrs. T. McCauley, cause, oil stove.
52. Aug. 6, still alarm, 4.00 P. M., dwelling house No. 7 Clive street, owner W. F. Cummings, cause, lightning.
53. Aug. 6, still alarm, 4.30 r. M., dwelling house Adams street, owner Robertson heirs, cause, lightning.
54. Aug. 6, still alarm, 4.30 P. M., dwelling house Adams street, owner E. C. Stanwood, cause, lightning.
55. Aug. 6, still alarm, 4.30 P. M., dwelling house off Centre street, owner John Wilson, cause, lightning.
56. Aug. 8, Box 56, 9.45 A. M., store Newport avenue, owner W. H. Brasee, cause unknown.
57. Aug. 17, still alarm, 5.25 P. M., dwelling house No. 19 Clive street, owner George C. Alden, cause, lightning.
58. Aug. 17, still alarm, 5.30 P. M., dwelling house 31 Botolph street, owner J. A. Kempton, cause, lightning.
59. Aug. 17. still alarm, 5.30 P. M., dwelling house 37 Billings street, owner Charles L. Coe, cause, lightning.
60. Aug. 17, still alarm, 5.30 P. M., dwelling house 33 Botolph street, owner Eben Stocker, cause, lightning.
61. Aug. 17, still alarm, 5.30 P. M., dwelling house Clive street, owner Agnes C. Hill, cause, lightning.
62. Aug. 17, still alarm, 4.30 P. M., dwelling house 33 Billings street, owner Mrs. G. W. Hinckley, cause, lightning.
63. Aug. 17, still alarm, 5.30 P. M., dwelling house Warwick street, owner Samuel F. Smith, cause, lightning.
64. Aug. 24, still alarm, 4.15 A. M., dwelling house 47 Billings street, owner B. F. Thomas, cause, lightning.
65. Aug. 24, Box 14, 8.35 P. M., store Sea street, Houghs Neck, owner Catherine F. Donnelly, cause, lamp explosion.
66. Sept. 7, Box 27, 1.00 A. M., bake shop Washington street, owner Harriet S. Bent, cause, chimney.
67. Sept. 12, Box 61, 8.40 A. M., dwelling and store corner of Hancock and Squantum streets, owner R. J. Barry, cause, matches.
176
No. Fire.
68. Sept. 15, Box 28, 9.45 P. M., dwelling house Putnam and Everett streets, owner Annie W. Grant, cause, incendiary. 69. Oct. 1, Box 35, 6.00 A. M., barn off School street, owner estate of James Edwards, cause, incendiary.
70. Oct. 2, Box 46, 446, 12.10 A. M., stable off Cross street, owner D. Hayes & Sons, cause, incendiary.
71. Oct. 3, still alarm, 8.30 P. M., grass fire off Goffe street, cause, matches.
72. Oct. 6, still alarm, 3.30 P. M., dwelling house Bates avenue, owner Louis Walters, cause unknown,
73. Oct. 6, still alarm, 1.30 A. M., stone shed Copeland and West streets, owner Thomas Carey, cause, incendiary.
74. Oct. 11, still alarm, 10.30 P. M., dwelling house Manet avenue, owner Joseph H. Hill, cause unknown.
75. Oct. 24, still alarm, 4.30 P. M., dwelling house, Walnut street, owner Patrick Barry, cause, children and matches.
76. Oct. 27, still alarm, 3.00 A. M., dwelling house Storey street, owner George W. Drake, cause, accident.
77. Oct. 29, still alarm, 11.45 A. M., dwelling house Cleverly court, owner M. M. Hayden, cause, plumber's stove.
78. Oct. 30, Box 63, 1.00 A. M., barn and house, Squantum street, owner J. W. Donovan, cause, incendiary.
79. Nov. 3, Box 442, 1.20 P. M., barn Dunn's hill, owner C. Dunn, cause, children and matches.
80. Nov. 4, Box 46, 1.50 P. M., store and dwelling house on Copeland street, owner S. Cohen, cause, spontaneous com- bustion.
81. Nov. 24, Box 46, 3.15 A. M., false alarm.
82. Nov. 24, Box 43, 5.40 A. M., false alarm.
83. Nov. 25, still alarm, 10.30 A. M., dwelling house on Bates avenue, owner Timothy Reardon, cause, chimney.
84. Nov. 29, still alarm, 10.30 A. M., dwelling house on Wash- ington street, owner John R. Graham, cause, electric wire.
85. Dec. 1, still alarm, 9 P. M., dwelling house on Packard's lane, owner Theodore Gullickson, cause, unknown.
86. Dec. 9, Box 24, 3 P. M., dwelling house at 73 Whitwell street, owner Grant, cause, furnace pipe.
87. Dec. 17, still alarm, 8.15 P. M., dwelling house at 12 Chest- nut street, owner M. Willis, cause, kerosene stove.
177
No. Fire.
88. Dec. 28, Box 35, 11.30 P. M., harness shop Quincy Avenue, owner, James R. Taylor, cause, over heated stove.
89. Dec. 29, Box 39, 12.30 A .. M., polishing shop Intervale street, owner M. A. McDonald, M. J. McGuinness, cause, incen- diary.
90. Dec. 29, Box 39, 1.00 P. M., stone shed Gilbert street, owner McGilvray & Jones cause, sparks.
91. Dec. 29, Box 49, 7.20 P. M., dwelling house Willard street, owner Patrick Garrity estate, cause, incendiary.
FIRE LOSSES.
This summary gives the value, damage and insurance, both on building and contents, at each fire during the year 1898. Each fire is numbered according to the list of fires on the pre- ceding pages :
No. Fire.
Value.
-BUILDINGS. Damage.
Insurance.
-- Value. $1,000 5,000
CONTENTS. Damage.
Insurance.
1,
$2,000
$400
-
-
2,
10,000
0
0)
-
3,
4,
1,700
12
$1,600
300
10
$0
5,
6,
4,000
2,000
2,000
7,000
5,000
800
7,
2,000
25
1,200
1,000
0
0
8,
350
100
300
9,
10
11,
10,000
10
8,000
10,000
0
6,000
12,
2,000
140
1,500
500
99.50
350
13,
2,000
15
1,200
500
0
0
14,
15,
1
0
-
10
3
-
17,
18,
19,
20,
-
$0
-
16,
75
178
No. Fire.
Value.
BUILDINGS. Damage.
Insurance.
Value.
-CONTENTS. Damage.
Insurance.
21,
22,
2,500
25
1,500
-
-
-
23,
1,500
75
1,200
800
75
-
24,
3,500
0
1,500
900
0
1,000
25,
1,000
2
-
-
-
-
26,
2,500
100
2,000
1,500
150
500
27,
1,000
50
-
-
-
-
28,
29,
4,000
0
2,000
-
-
-
30,
100
100
125
100
75
125
31,
250
5
-
-
-
-
32.
2,500
0
1,500
1,000
0
1,000
33,
300
300
25
25
-
34,
6,100
1,000
5,000
7,509
2,398.70
6,000
35,
45
10
-
-
-
-
36,
150
2
-
-
-
-
37
600
-
-
-
-
-
38,
2,500
-
-
-
-
-
39,
2,000
15
-
-
-
-
40,
300
25
200
-
-
-
41,
10
10
-
-
-
-
42.
800
2
200
0
-
43,
75
2
44,
2,000
1,800
45,
2,000
0
1,800
500
0
375
46,
2,350
35
1,900
47,
150
0
48,
49,
50,
51,
1,600
0
1,500
400
0
400
52,
2,500
122
2,500
1,000
8
1,000
53,
3,000
63
2,500
3,000
0
1,000
54.
12,000
35.95
8,000
3,500
0
2,500
55,
2,000
30.80
1,600
600
56
56,
10,700
1,500
8,500
13,000
9,000
10,000
57,
8,000
150
0
2,000
0
1,500
-
-
-
-
179
No. Fire. 58,
-
BUILDINGS. Damage.
CONTENTS. Damage.
Insurance.
0
600
59,
60,
2,000
15
2,000
1,000
0
500
61,
2,500
50
2,500
1,200
0
1,000
62,
2,800
50
2,000
3,500
0
0
63,
3,000
18
2,000
700
0
500
64,
4,500
15
3,500
2,000
0
1,000
65,
1,350
86.50
800
430.50
191.25
200
66,
3,500
6
1,500
1,000
0
900
67.
4,000
75
3,000
1,500
0
1,200
68,
2,800
1,200
3,000
69,
1,200
650
800
400
325
900
70,
400
225
300
175
75
100
71,
72
1,700
73,
75
74,
400
400
250
100
100
75,
2,000
4
1,200
76,
1,350
3
1,200
600
15
77,
2,000
0
1,550
78,
2,850
900
2,100
79,
75
75
0
125
125
80,
1,700
10
800
1,800
25
500
81,
82,
.
83,
1,500
84,
5,000
1
0
1,000
85,
1,100
0
1,000
600
3.50
500
86,
3,500
100
3,000
87,
2,000
0
1,200
1,000
0
88,
200
10
150
500
67.50
400
89,
4,000
4,000
4,000
3,000
3,000
90,
100
5
91,
1,200
0
1,100
100
20
Insurance. 2,000
Value. 1,000
Value. 2,500
.
180
FIRE ALARM-LOCATION OF BOXES.
Box.
12. Palmer street, near residence of H .. C. Weeden.
14. Hose No. 5 Fire Station, Houghs Neck.
21. Corner of Granite street and Cranch place.
23. Hancock street, near Hall's stable.
24. Corner of Whitwell street, near City Hospital.
25. Corner of Newcomb and Canal streets.
26. Unitarian church.
27. Corner of Washington and Elm streets.
28. Corner of Hancock and Greenleaf streets.
32. Corner of Franklin street and Independence avenue.
35. Corner of Hancock and School streets.
36. Corner of Pleasant and Quincy streets.
37. Corner of Franklin and Water streets.
Corner of Liberty and Plain streets.
38. 39. Corner of Penn and Liberty streets.
138. Corner of Brooks and Centre streets.
41. Corner of School and Granite streets.
42. Corner of Granite and Water streets, Brewer's Corner.
43. Corner or Copeland and Common streets.
45. Junction Crescent and Willard streets.
46. Copeland street opposite Woodward's Blacksmith shop.
47. Corner of Bates avenue and Grove street.
48. Corner of Willard and Robertson streets.
49. Corner of Willard and Doble streets.
441. Corner of Smith and Quarry streets, near Granite works C. H. Hardwick.
442. Hitchcock's Quarry.
443. Corner of West and Hayden streets.
446. Willard School.
51. Mellen Bray & Co.'s Tubular Rivet Factory.
52. Corner of Farrington street and Elmwood avenue.
53. Corner of Warren and Winthrop avenues.
54. Corner of Hancock and Fenno streets.
56. Corner of Beale street and Newport avenue.
57. Corner of Beach and Willow streets.
58. Corner of Adams and Beale streets.
59. Corner of Beale street and Central avenue.
181
151. Corner of Billings street and Rawson road.
152. Corner of Billings and Beach streets.
61. Corner of Hancock and Squantum streets.
62. Corner of Hancock and Atlantic streets.
63. Hancock street near Atlantic depot.
64. Corner of Billings and Newbury streets.
65. Corner of Squantum street and Faxon road.
67. Corner of Squantum and Atlantic streets.
68. Squantum Heights.
71. Corner of Mill and Washington streets.
72. Washington street near Quincy Point church.
73. Corner of Howard and Winter streets.
74. Corner of Washington and River streets.
75. Corner of Main and Sumner streets.
76. Corner of Washington and Wharf streets.
76. Duplicate, Power station, Quincy Point.
171. Corner of Union and Main streets.
172. Corner of Glencoe place and New road.
173. Newcomb Square, Quincy Neck.
718. Private Box, Johnson's lumber yard.
OUT OF TOWN CALLS.
881. North and East Weymouth.
882. Weymouth Landing and East Braintree.
883. North and South Braintree.
884. Milton.
885. Boston.
SIGNALS.
Second alarm, - 10 blows, followed by box number. General alarm,- 12 blows followed by box number.
Recall,- 2 blows, " fire all out."
Test,-1 blow at 7 A. M., and 1 blow at 5 P. M.
One session of school,- 2-2 three times.
Police call,- 3 three times.
Military call,-4 three times.
Three blows calls Chief to the Central Station.
Six blows followed by box number, calls Superintendent of Water Works.
182
Running Card.
Engine No. 1, Combination No. 1, Ladder truck No. 1, answer all first alarms.
Hose No. 2 answers, on first alarm, Boxes 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 151, 152, 153, 154, 156, 157, 158, 159, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29. Answers all second alarms.
Hose No. 3 answers on first alarm, Boxes 41, 42, 43, 45 46, 47, 48, 49, 441, 442, 443, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 58, 32, 36, 37, 38, 39, 138, 21, 24. Second alarm, Boxes 23, 26, 35, 171. Answers all boxes on general alarm, with the excep- tion of boxes 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 68.
Hose No. 4, answers on first alarm, Boxes 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 76 duplicate, 78, 79, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 178, 179, 718, 23, 25, 26, 27, 35, 37. All other alarms reports, at Central Station.
Hose No. 5 answers on first alarm, Boxes 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. General alarm, Boxes, 26, 23.
Combination, No. 2 answers on first alarm, Boxes 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 151, 152, 153, 154, 156, 157, 158, 159. Second alarm Boxes, 23, 26, 171. General Alarm, reports at Central Station.
Drivers of Hose No. 2, Hose No. 3, Combination No. 2, shall on all alarms, make their hitch, and, if not required of them to respond, stand hitched twenty minutes.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK C. PACKARD,
Chief of Fire Department.
Water Department.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Quincy;
We hereby submit the report for the year of 1898.
At the first regular meeting of the Board in February, H. O. Fairbanks was elected chairman and Charles T. Baker clerk. Luther S. Anderson was appointed a Commissioner by Mayor Sears, and Win. Walter Ewell was appointed Superintendent.
The most important work of the year was the laying of a 16- inch main from Common street, through Adams street, to Beale street ; thus making a connection with the Metropolitan water supply and removing the fear that the city would be endangered by the lack of a sufficient water supply. On December 31st, 1898, we commenced to receive water from the Metropolitan system, and on that date the pumps at our pumping station, were stopped; having been in continuous service since January, 1884.
During the year 5 2-10 miles of pipe have been laid. There have been added 42 new hydrants to the service, making 466 hydrants for the use of the Fire Department. 257 new ser- vices have been connected, making a total of 3,469 now in use. The average consumption of water for the year now closed, was 1,362,649 gallons per day, an increase of 112,710 gallons over last year.
Owing to the growth of the city, numerous extensions will probably be asked for the coming year, and in many sections of the city the pipe that was originally laid by the Water Company has proven too small to give the necessary supply of water to the takers, and calls will probably be made for the laying of larger pipe in certain sections.
The Board expects that during the coming year the State will erect a stand pipe and reservoir on Third hill, Wollaston. The Board would recommend that a 16-inh pipe be laid in Beale
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street, across Wollaston plains to Hancock street, in order to give the city thorough fire protection in every particular.
For the details of our work, we refer you to the report of our Superintendent. We believe the thanks of the city should be given to E. T. Spear, who has served the city so faithfully as engineer of the pumping station, always attending to his duties and keeping his department in perfect condition.
For the present, the Board believes it would be wise to keep the pumps in working condition at the pumping station, to guard against any possible break in the large main on Adams street, although the danger, of course, is somewhat remote. What final disposition will be made of the pumping station and reservoir is a matter to be considered later.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
Appropriation, .
$30,000 00
Received service account, . 4,821 29
$34,821 29
EXPENDED.
Pipe and special castings, . $12,494 23
Laying pipe, etc., ·
15,008 86
Hydrants, valves, service boxes and supplies,
7,314 51
Balance unexpended, .
3 69
$34,821 29
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT.
Appropriation,
$15,250 00
Transferred,
170 24
$15,420 24
EXPENDED.
Office expenses, including superinten- dence clerical assistance, rent postage, stationery, printing and miscellaneous expense, . $3,638 15
185
Pumping station expenses, including pay roll, fuel, repairs and sundry items, . General maintenance of reservoir, mains, stand pipes, hydrants, etc., . ·
$6,587 44
5,153 44
Balance unexpended,
·
41 21
$15,420 24
BOND ACCOUNT.
Amount of bonds issued to Dec. 31, 1893, . $700,000 00
Amount of bonds issued in 1894, 30,000 00
Amount of bonds issued in 1895, 45,000 00
Amount of bonds issued in 1896, 18,000 00
Amount of bonds issued in 1897, 30,000 00
Amount of bonds issued in 1898, 30,000 00
Amount of bonds issued to date,
$853,000 00
Amount of bonds paid in 1893, $10,000 00
Amount of bonds paid in 1894,
24,000 00
Amount of bonds paid in 1895,
25,000 00
Amount of bonds paid in 1896,
25,500 00
· Amount of bonds paid in 1897, 27,500 00
Amount of bonds paid in 1898,
28,500 00
$131,500 00
Bonds outstanding Dec. 31, 1898,
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