apron, at the foot of the dam, was also torn up by the freshet; but this, although difficult at most seasons of the year, and comparatively expensive to repair, is not sufficiently injured to affect the masonry of the dam itself. This damage would probably not have occurred, had there been an opportunity, during the present year, to complete the enrockment or heavy paving at the foot of the apron. The water has not been long enough at a low stage to enable us to have this done, unless under great disadvantage, and consequent expense. It will now, however, be necessary to do this work and repair the apron thoroughly, without waiting for so favorable an opportunity as could be wished; and for this purpose, a specific extra sum was asked for in the appropriation for the coming year, although, for some reason, it seems not to have been included in the annual appropriation budget of the Comptroller.

WATER PIPES AND LAYING.

The expenditures under this branch of service, since the last annual report, amount to one hundred and two thousand nine hundred and ninety-two dollars and seventy-one cents, leaving unexpended, of the appropriation for the present year, nine thousand five hundred and twenty dollars and twenty-nine cents.

The particulars of expenditure will be found in schedule D. The new lines of pipe laid are specified in schedule. L. The quantity of pipe laid, during the last year, is much less than the amount brought into service during the

previous years; the reason for which may be found in the fact, that nearly the whole surface of the island, sufficiently improved to pay an interest on the capital expended in furnishing a supply, is now occupied, and the Department will only be called upon in future to keep pace with the improvements, which are estimated at about five miles annually. The quantity laid, since the organization of the Department, as originally organized, together with the number of miles put down, under the present Board of Management, will be found in schedule N, which also gives the sizes and proportion of each kind now in service. The number of permits, for the use of water, as per register, to the present time, is thirty-six thousand and sixty, of which fourteen thousand six hundred and ten have been granted, since the organization of the Department, under the law of 1849.

INCOME FROM WATER RATES.

The amount paid into the City Treasury, during the current year, as the proceeds arising from the sale of water, is five hundred and sixty-nine thousand and fourteen dollars and sixty-nine cents; and from interest accruing from non-payment, at the time of coming due, is ten thousand nine hundred and forty-nine dollars and fifty-one.cents, being an increase over the receipts of the year preceding, of thirty-five thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight dollars and ninety-four cents.

In order to exhibit the increase in revenue, from the time of the introduction of the Croton in 1842, the following table is subjoined:

From October 5, 1842, to May 1, 1843....

$17,836 67

Being the entire receipts for water, from all sources, for

a period of eleven years and eight months.

The great advance shown in the later years of the above table, arises not so much from the increase in the number of actual consumers, as to a more careful arrangement of the statistics of consumption, which every year's additional experience enables the officers engaged in the bureau of collection to make, and which is shown by a satisfactory and encouraging increase in the revenue.

The income derived from the sale of water has not yet equaled the yearly interest on the debt, though making a nearer approach on each successive year. The deficiency, which has been supplied from other sources, set apart for this purpose, and a general tax, is exhibited in the following table:

In the year 1842, 20 cents on every $100 of valuation.

Nothing for a deficiency has been included in the general tax, since the year 1850, the income derived from the water and other rentals, being found sufficient to defray the interest on the bonds issued by the city.

WASTE OF WATER.

The Board regret, that they are compelled, every year, to allude to the unwarrantable waste of an element so valuable and indispensable to the health and comfort of their fellow citizens. Notwithstanding every effort has been made by the Department to check the waste of water, they have every reason to believe that a very great proportion of the water placed at the disposal of the consumers, is used for no valuable or practical purpose.

Held responsible by the law creating the Department, for a good and sufficient supply of water, they have felt that every power given them should be exerted to fulfill the duties of their office, and though disagreeable to the last degree, they have been compelled to impose the penalties without fear or favor, in all infractions of the regu

lations. They therefore, on a change of the ordinance in relation to the use of street washers, &c., published the amendment in every daily paper in the city, issued over seventy thousand copies of the regulations; and after waiting a sufficient time for every person to become acquainted with the alteration, commenced enforcing the law in a stringent manner. The amount paid into the city treasury, for fines collected for violation of the ordinance, in relation to the use of Croton water for street washing, &c., during the year, is three thousand seven hundred and thirty-five dollars.

And the amount paid for infractions of the regulations of the Department for wilful waste, and these only from a small district of the city, is seven hundred dollars.

So lax has been the enforcement of the Corporation ordinances, that the parties complained of often express surprise that this Department should attempt to levy a fine; and still further, that the 'fine imposed could not be compromised by a partial payment of the amount.

In order to relieve the city police from the odium cast upon them by the parties complained of, the Board here take the opportunity to state, that of the whole of the above amount collected, only thirty-five dollars has been received from parties whose offence was made known to the Department through the vigilance of the police.

The Board have, however, the satisfaction of knowing, that notwithstanding the increase of water-takers, and consequently of the consumption, the head of water in the