Yorkville and vicinity. House in good order; truck in good condition, built in 1848, by Pine & Hartshorn; present number of men 11, entitled to 50.

Harry Howard hook and ladder No. 11-Located, 295 East Broadway; per forms duty in the sixth and seventh districts. House temporary; truck ordinary; present number of men 30, entitled to 50.

Friendship hook and ladder No. 12-Located, 78 East Thirteenth street; performs duty in the fourth and fifth districts. House in good condition; truck in good condition; present number of men 30, entitled to 50.

Marion hook and ladder No. 13-Located in Third street, near Lewis; performs duty in the fifth and sixth districts. House in good order; truck in good condition, built in 1855, by W. H. Torboss; present number of men 44, entitled to 50.

Columbian hook and ladder No. 14-Located, 96 Charles street; performs duty in the third and fourth districts. House and truck both in good condition; present number of men 44, entitled to 50.

Baxter hook and ladder No. 15-Located in Franklin, near Hudson street; performs duty in the seventh and eighth districts. House in good order; truck in good condition, built in 1853, and rebuilt in 1856, by Pine & Hartshorn; present number of men 44, entitled to 50.

The hook and ladder trucks are all supplied with the necessary ladders, hooks, axes, picks, lanterns, &c.

Exempt engine company-Located, 202 Centre street. House in good order; engine, formerly No. 42, double brake, piano style, 10 inch cylinders, 9 inch stroke, built in 1842, by Henry Waterman, Hudson, New York; rebuilt in 1850. by Pine & Hartshorn.

This company was organized by the Common Council, December 27th, 1854, as a reserved corps, composed exclusively of exempt members of the depart ment, and performs duty only in case of a general alarm of fire, or when directed by the engineers.

The above Commission was authorized in pursuance of the act of the legisla ture, passed March 29th, 1855, which specially defines their powers and duties.

ASSOCIATION OF EXEMPT FIREMEN.

This association is composed of persons who have served the time prescribed by law, in ths New York Fire Department. They meet on the third Tuesday of

January, April, July and October, at Firemen's Hall, Mercer street, between Prince and Houston.

OFFICERS FOR 1858.

131 Front; h., 70 West 14th street. Philip W. Engs, President... Zophar Mills, 1st Vice-President.....144 Front; h., 207 Madison street. A. Ockershausen, 2d Vice-President.21 Rose street; h., 22 Rose street. George W. Wheeler, Recording Secy. 1 Centre street; h., 172 Broome street. F. Hagadorn, Financial Secretary...10 Wall street; h., Williamsburgh. Joseph M. Price, Treasurer... ..Oriental Bank; h., 31 Pike street. David Theall, Sergeant-al-arms......30 Amos street.

FIRE DEPARTMENT FUND.

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR 1857.

In accordance with long-established usages, your Trustees again present an account of the great and important duties intrusted to their care; and although we are in the midst of one of the greatest financial revulsions ever witnessed by the present generation, nevertheless we are gratified with the fact, that no worthy person, having a claim on the Fund, on applying to that source, has been refused, and we trust that, in our efforts to relieve the sick and disabled firemen, the widows and orphans, we will be seconded by an ever generous community.

Although the receipts of the Department have been increased, there has been a corresponding increase of expenditure.

The Trustees have expended, during the past year, in the purchase of coal and shoes; paying funeral expenses; widow's pensions, &c., &c., the sum of thirty thousand five hundred and sixty-seven dollars and ninety-one cents. It will be perceived that the above expenditures exceed, in amount, by over five thousand dollars, that of any previous year.

This amount, your Trustees are satisfied, has been judiciously expended in relieving the wants, and cheering the firesides of the widows and orphans, as well as our sick and disabled brethren.

By referring to the annexed Report of the Treasurer, it will be perceived that, at the last Annual Report, there remained a balance in his hands of twenty-two hundred and thirteen dollars and thirty-four cents ($2.213 34). Since which time he has received from various sources the sum of thirty-four thousand six hundred and fifty dollars and fifty-eight cents, which, in the aggregate, amounts to thirty-six thousand eight hundred and sixty-three dollars and ninety-two Out of which there has been expended the sum of thirty thousand six hundred and eleven dollars and fifty-eight cents.

cents.

Invested on bond and mortgage, ($1,500) one thousand five hundred dollars: re-invested two thousand dollars, leaving a balance deposited in the Butchers and Drovers' Bank, to the credit of the Fire Department Fund, of two thousand seven hundred and fifty-two dollars and thirty-four cents.

The Permanent Fund (including Trust and Special Trust Funds) now amounts to ninety-five thousand two hundred and fifty dollars ($95,250).

Invested as follows:--Ninety-five thousand dollars on bond and mortgage, and two hundred and fifty dollars in Manhattan Bank Stock.

It is with sincere pleasure we refer to the exertions of the Firemen's Ball Committee. By their devotion to the Department, their good taste and discretion, they have caused the Firemen's Ball to be the pride of the Fireman, and a great source of relief to the Widows' and Orphans' Fund. The proceeds of the last Annual Ball, at the Academy of Music, netted the unprecedented large sun of five thousand three hundred and ninety-nine dollars and thirty-one cents, which amount far exceeds any previous effort on their part.

Donations have been received from Messrs. Fisher & Bird, Bank of Commonwealth, Joseph Sampson, Miss Mary A. C. Rodgers, Swift & Hurlburt, and also the proceeds of a concert given by the Pyne and Harrison Troupe, at Burton's Theatre; all of which have been publicly acknowledged in appropriate terms, over the signature of the Treasurer. The Trustees are under obligations to Messrs. Thalberg and H. Vieux-temps, for their kind and valuable assistance to aid the Department funds at the concert given at the Academy of Music. The net proceeds could not be ascertained in time for this report,

The School Committee have, as usual, discharged the duties intrusted to their care. Since the last Annual Report, they have distributed 1,978 pair of shoes to the various recipients of the Fund. They also report that there is a vacancy in one of the Van Schaick Scholarships of the University, caused by Edward L. Snyder having, in a very creditable manner, fulfilled the course of studies for which he entered. It is hoped the members of the Department will avail themselves of the generous contribution of our honored citizen, Myndert Van Schaick, Esq., of the Free Scholarships in the University of this city, by naming a son of a New York Fireman to said privilege, at an early day, to the Board of Trustees.

The Committee on Fines and Penalties, who are charged with the prosecution for violations of the Fire Laws, report that, during the past year, they have received from the Fire Wardens nearly one hundred notices of violations which were not removed on notification by them. The Committee report, on examination, some were wrongly notified, others have since removed, or the time extended. The balance have been placed in the hands of Counsel, to prosecute. Prior to the year 1857, a large number of suits were commenced against parties for violating the laws, all of which are forwarded as fast as circumstances will permit.

The Court of Appeals, at its last sitting, confirmed the constitutionality of the law relative to agents of Foreign Fire Insurance Companies doing business in this city. The Trustees are gratified to state, that all agents doing business in this city, with two exceptions, have promptly complied with the law. The exceptions are, Asa Bigelow, agent of various Boston and Providence Insurance Companies, who has carried the case to the Supreme Court of the United States, and Alfred Pell, agent of English Insurance Companies located in London and Liverpool. The suits against the latter are still pending.

The Court of Appeals also confirmed the judgment of the Lower Courts in the case of the Department against Buffum, for a violation of the Fire Laws, which case had been in litigation for over five years.

The Committee, as well as the Wardens, experience great trouble in execut

ing the law relative to buildings, owing to the mutilation the bill was subjected to after it was sent from this city, and will call the attention of the Representatives to the importance of securing the passage of the law relative to buildings, presented to the Legislature last winter, but not in time to pass both houses.

This law, as well as the faithful execution of it, deserves the attention of the members of the Department, and it is hoped that they, as well as our citizens in general, will lend their aid to enforce a law which is not only for the protection of the lives of Firemen, but our citizens generally.

The Fuel Committee have, during the past year, distributed over 500 tons of coal, and have made the usual contract for the ensuing year.

The Trustees again call on the active members of the Department to be ever on the alert to suppress rowdyism and disorderly conduct; and let each member reflect that every act against law and order committed by members of the Department casts, not only a stain on the fame of the volunteer department, but is also a source of sincere regret and sorrow in the hearts of those of its patrons who are proud to contribute their share for the relief of the widows and orphans, as well as to the disabled and sick Firemen.

Owing to the great increase in the number of active Firemen, as well as the short time required to be exempt from duty, we must necessarily prepare to meet a very large increase of demands on the Fund, and it is a fact that the pensioners on the widows' list have about doubled in number during the past ten years.

The term of service of Henry A. Burr, Zophar Mills, and William Williams, will expire at the Annual Meeting. It is, therefore, requisite to elect three Trustees, for three years each.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

By order of the Board of Trustees,

JAMES KELLY, Secretary.

New York, December 4th, 1857.

HENRY A. BURR, President.

Schedule, showing the Number of Fires and Alarms in each District, and the Amount of Loss.

November

4

19997632

2995

112