mains, erection and repair of fire-plugs and hydrants, and the expense of running the steam-pump that supplies the high service. During the past few years these expenses have been paid out of the water-fund of Washington City, and necessarily will have to be refunded to same. I attach herewith a statement in detail of these expenses to date, amounting to PIPE-LINE. The length of water-mains in the District of Columbia is 760,320 feet' or 144 miles. (This does not include the 18 miles under charge of the aqueduct office.) It is in good condition excepting that laid in Road street, Georgetown. During the past year several leaks and breaks occurred in the mains, most notable of which were several in the 36-inch main, caused by defective calking, all of which were promptly repaired. The main in Road street, Georgetown, is of cement covered with sheet-iron. This main was laid over 16 years ago, and is worn out; it has been repaired several times, and is now almost worthless; a new iron main for this street is a necessity. ESTIMATES. In submitting my estimates for the next fiscal year, I desire to call attention to the meager salaries paid the officers of this department, which will not bear comparison with other bureau officers of this District, and are far below the average paid the officers of water departments throughout the United States and Europe. When it is considered that upon them devolve the constant care of over one hundred and fifty miles of mains, nearly one thousand fire-plugs, and the supply to over fourteen thousand premises, I give but a faint idea of their labor. Upon them at all times, both day and night, rests the entire responsibility of the perfect working of this extended system, which not only embraces the ordinary details of office-work, but necessarily calls forth skill and judgment in the discharge of the varied duties connected with the proper government and conduct of a water department. No. Estimate of salaries from December, 1876, to June 30, 1877. Title. Rate per year. Time. Amount. Estimate of contingent expenses of the water department from December 1, 1876, to June 30, 1877. For the redemption of water-bonds, per act legislative assembly approved Material Labor Miscellaneous expenses and supplies Estimate of contingent expenses of the water department from July 1, 1877, to June 30, 1878. For the redemption of water-bonds, per act of legislative assembly approved Material Labor Miscellaneous expenses and supplies. Water-fund. $15,000 40,000 50,000 3,000 108,000 Statement showing amount of moneys received from all sources by the water-registrar, and how disposed, from November 15, 1875, to November 18, 1876. Arrearages (water-tax) collected by the collector of taxes.. 97,613 34 13, 956 11 111, 569 45 Expenditures. Laborers' rolls from December 1, 1875, to November 1, 1876..... Material...... Tools, repairing tools, iron-work, &c.. Stationery $50, 575 92 7,232 40 48,595 26 2,000 35 526 85 199 41 248 10 109,378 29 $8,535 24 On hand Novem- |