reservoir bears a favorable comparison with that of previous years, and they cannot but believe, that this result arises from increased vigilance over the interests committed to their care.

WATER METERS.

As stated in the last annual report, these instruments have increased in favor, and the consumer who could not be convinced of the quantity of water used in his establishment has now a certain and impartial umpire to determine the difference in estimates between him and the Department; and though the result in almost every case is against the consumer, yet the decision of this small, but costly apparatus, is very generally acquiesced in.

The only instrument yet in use is that of Mr. Samuel Huse, of Boston, and is believed by the Department to be accurate; and, as far as can be ascertained by the action of a working model, deposited in the office for some months, known to be so. The only objection to their far more extensive use is the expense of the apparatus, and some loss in the head of water to those who require its use, at high elevations; and, it is to be hoped, that the ingenuity of some practical inventor may yet overcome these difficulties, and render their adoption more extensive. The difference in rate, made by the instruments now in use, demonstrates that they are, notwithstanding the cost, the most valuable article for this purpose yet introduced to their notice. That the difference between the former estimated amount, and the quantity fixed by actual measurement, may be understood by the reader, a few cases are

subjoined, giving the amounts paid for the six months previous to, and the six months after, the attachment of the

The number, size and locality of the sewers, together with the receiving basins and culverts constructed during the year, amounting to thirteen miles and forty-nine hundred and two feet, are particularized in schedule M.

Schedule O exhibits the whole amount of construction done under the direction of the Department for each year since the sewerage was placed under its supervision.

The expenditures for new work, and repairing and cleaning the entire sewerage of the city, now over one hundred and five miles in length, will be found in schedule E. This amount is necessarily increased from year to year, in consequence of the extension of area requiring the attention of the Department.

Schedule I gives the weekly receipts for permits to make connections with sewers, amounting in the aggregate to twenty-nine thousand three hundred and fifty-three dollars, being an excess over the year previous, of one thousand two hundred and twenty dollars and fifty cents.

The total amount received each year for connections with sewers is as follows, viz:

Schedule F gives the particulars and aggregate of salaries paid during the year.

STATISTICAL TABLES.

The amount paid under this head for the current year will be found in schedule E. The returns made are, however, found nearly useless for the purposes intended, as the premises require a visit from some of the officers of this Department, before a charge, under the ordinances, can be made in such a manner as to insure certainty as to the size of the building, and its location on the Ward Records

in the office. Some of the wards have never made a return; and were it not that the parties interested give the required information at the time of payment, the Department would remain, year after year, in ignorance of the facts of which the interest of the city require an actual and certain record. Parties frequently call at the office for information as to the number of new buildings annually erected in the city, but the information possessed by the office, drawn from the semi-annual returns made them, is so vague and indefinite as to be entirely worthless. A remedy for this difficulty can be proposed, and the Board request the attention of the Common Council to this subject.

This Board would neglect a most grateful duty should it close this record of the year, without properly adverting to the change which has taken place among its members, since its last report.

On the 1st September last, Nicholas Dean, Esq., resigned his office as President Commissioner; of his good name in a community in which he still lives an honored citizen, it seems useless to speak. The public know, and have testified their appreciation of his character by commendation, quiet and unostentatious, but none the less decided. Still it cannot be amiss for those who have been his colleagues and associates, for upward of four years, to add here to the general contribution, that good word which they so well know he deserves, and which they, therefore, cannot refrain from speaking warmly and unreservedly.

As an officer, assiduous and energetic, of enlarged understanding and unimpeachable integrity, he was always

at the post of his duty, and as invariably found equal to its every requirement.

As an associate and colleague, he was frank and judicious, and we bear warm testimony to the harmony insured by the one attribute, and the aid derived from the other, in every phase of our co-ordinate duties.

This tribute to one with whom we have so long been associated in duties of great responsibility and trust, is not only due to him, but to ourselves; and when we say that by his resignation, the public have lost the services. of a most valuable officer; we are happy to feel confident that we can do so without any suspicion of disparagement of the gentlemen who has recently taken his seat among us as his successor.*

In conclusion the Board reiterates the language of a former report, that the Department again presents the gratifying result of a surplus under each head of disbursement.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

THEO. R. DE FOREST,

ALFRED W. CRAVEN.

CROTON AQUEDUCT DEPARTMENT,

January 2d, 1854.

*Mr. Smith took his seat as President Commissioner, on the 1st December, 1853.