This company occupies a two-story brick building with modern improvements, the property of the District of Columbia, and is located on Massachusetts avenue, between Fourth and Fifth streets, northwest.

Report of the chief engineer.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER,

FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,

Washington, D. C., November 16, 1876. GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to submit my annual report from November 15, 1875, to November 15, 1876, inclusive, as follows, showing the present condition and efficiency of this department and a general review of the occurrences during the past year. I accompany herewith a statement of the number of fires, the losses and insurance, full and

complete lists of the officers and privates attached to the department, and inventories of the property held in charge by the several companies on the 15th day of November, 1876.

The total number of alarms turned in during the year was 150, of which one was a test-alarm, 16 were for chimneys, 12 were false, and 121 were for fires, which involved an aggregate alleged loss of $40,230, covered by an insurance of $29,775.

The number of fires of this year, compared with that of last year, shows a decrease of 11 in the former, and compared with the average of the past ten years an increase of 21.

The aggregate alleged loss of this year, compared with that of last year, shows a decrease of $18,000, and compared with the average losses per year of the past ten years a decrease of $103,760.

Reverting to my last annual report, I must reiterate the urgency of supplying this department with two additional steam fire-engine companies completely equipped and supplied with engines and hose-carriages-one for the northern and one for the northeastern sections of this city, and one additional truck company, with improved apparatus, to be located in the western section of the city. These requirements are absolute necessities, and I most respectfully urge that, being so completely conversant with the vast increase of an inflammable nature in the district, and the enlarged area of ground over which we are com pelled to run since any addition has been made to the force of the department, your honorable board will embody this important feature in your present annual report, to the end that perfect security to the interests concerned be secured.

HORSES.

Twenty-five horses are in use with the different companies and officers, and three horses are retained as substitutes. During the year six horses . have been purchased for the department, and while the stock is in fair condition, four of these horses have seen long years of service in the department.

HOSE.

There are distributed among the different companies for use 3,800 feet leather hose in fair condition; 500 feet gum-hose in bad condition; 7,800 feet Acton hose in perfect condition. The latter was purchased during the year, and gives perfect satisfaction.

The officers and men of the department comprise 1 chief engineer; 1 assistant chief engineer; 1 superintendent fire-alarm telegraph and 2 assistants; 59 officers and privates, assigned to six companies.

The apparatus consists of 6 steam fire-engines; 7 hose-carriages, (1 with truck company;) 1 old-style hook and ladder truck, complete.

The steam fire-engines of the department have undergone thorough rebuilding and repairs, and are now in perfect working condition. The new engine Thomas P. Morgan, No. 6, has given complete and entire satisfaction.

The different companies under my charge have promptly responded to alarms, and have been active and unremitting in serving the interests they are intended to protect. Notwithstanding the extended limits for their runs, the comparatively small amount of losses incurred during the year bears testimony for their zealous endeavors.

I again renew my thanks to this honorable board for the kindness and zealous care they have evinced for the weal and efficiency of the department; to the assistant chief and the officers and men under my

command for their prompt and willing discharge of their duties. cheerfully testify to the efficient and timely assistance rendered the department by the officers and men of the Metropolitan police.

To the honorable Commissioners of the District I return sincere thanks for a continuance during the past year of their kind courtesy to me and their solicitude for the interests of the department.

I am, gentlemen, with great respect, your obedient servant,
MARTIN CRONIN,

Chief Engineer Fire Department of District of Columbia. The Hon. Board of CommISSIONERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT of the District of Columbia.

Summary of fires, loss, insurance, alarms, and loss of life, from November 15, 1875, to No

Statistics of number of fires occurred in the District of Columbia during the past twelve years, from the organization of the paid fire department to the present time, November 15, 1876.

Chief Engineer Fire Department, District of Columbia.

XIV.-REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, BOARD OF HEALTH, Washington, November 14, 1876. GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to transmit herewith report of board of health for year ending October 31, 1876, embracing financial report for fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.

Very respectfully,

Hon. COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

D. S. JONES,

Acting Secretary.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, BOARD OF HEALTH,

Washington, November 9, 1876.

GENTLEMEN: We have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the board for the year ending October 31, 1876, under authority granted and duties imposed by your orders.

THE GARBAGE SERVICE.

The collection and removal of garbage has been prosecuted under the contract with Messrs. H. F. Turner & Co., to the very general satisfaction of the board and the public.

The number of tons removed from November 1, 1875, to November 1, 1876, was 5,870, an average of 4891 tons per month, or 183 tons per day. Expense of the service, $15,600, or $2.65 per ton. All of this material has been transported by rail in air-tight casks to a point 14 miles beyond the District limits.

THE SICK POOR.

The number of persous treated by the physicians to the poor from November 1, 1875, to August 31, 1876, 10 months, was 7,233. Expense of the service, $6,650.06. The supervision of the board over this serv ice terminated August 31, 1876, by virtue of the following communica tion from your office:

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Washington, August 19, 1876. GENTLEMEN: I am directed to notify you that on the expiration of the present month the Commissioners will discontinue the payment of the amount of $500 per month, which on the 15th ultimo they directed should be set apart for payment to your board on account of medicines and physicians to the poor, and all expenses on account of same.

Very respectfully,

To the BOARD OF HEALTH, D. C.

BURIAL OF PAUPERS.

WM. TINDALL, Secretary.

From November 1, 1875, to November 1, 1876, the remains of 473 paupers were interred in Potter's Field; 30 were interred in other cemeteries. Total burials at public expense, 503; of which number 90 were still-born children. The number of coffins furnished was 513.

HOLMEAD CEMETERY.

The management of this cemetery by the board terminated in June last, owing to the failure of the authorities to furnish necessary funds for repairs, &c.; ten bodies have been removed therefrom since last report. As a sanitary measure, we respectfully renew our recommendation of last year regarding this cemetery, the removal of bodies therefrom, and its abandonment as a resting-place for the dead.

RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.

The receipts and expenditures of the board for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, from the funds of the District, appropriated by act of Congress approved March 3, 1875, have been as follows:

Vouchers for expenditures enumerated above have been forwarded to you by our treasurer.

Estimate of funds required from the District for sanitary purposes for fiscal year ending June 30, 1878.

Item 1.-For general sanitary inspection of streets, avenues, alleys, yards, markets, vacant lots, &c., where nuisances injurious to health may exist, and for the removal and abatement of the same. Act Congress February 21, 1871.

Item 2.-To prevent the sale of unwholesome food in the District of Columbia. Act February 21, 1871.

Item 3.-To prevent domestic animals from running at large in the cities of Washington and Georgetown. Act Congress February 21,

1871.

Item 4-To secure a full and correct record of vital statistics, including the registration of births, marriages, and deaths, the interment, disinterment, and transportation of the dead in and through the District. Act Congress June 23, 1874.

Item 5.-The transportation beyond the limits of the District of houseoffal, night-soil, and dead animals. Act Congress February 21, 1871. Item 6.-To prevent the introduction and spread of infectious and contagious diseases. Act legislative assembly June 19, 1872.