lic thoroughfares, have been made; and upon visiting the premises, I have ascertained that there were no means of drainage. Some of the most prominent are or have been located on Washington street, Harrison avenue, D street, South Boston, and several in East Boston. Many of the parties, in reply to notices served upon them, to abate the same, have expressed a perfect willingness so to do, if the city would furnish the proper means. On Washington street, in the vicinity of Springfield street, as well as other portions of said street, there is no common sewer. On Harrison avenue, and in the vicinity of Oak street; in D street, South Boston, near Quincy street, the waste water of a block of some eight or ten houses drain on to private property, for want of a sewer; and the above are but few of the many cases which have come under my observation during the past year.

The repairs of reservoir, man hole, and cesspool covers, have been under the immediate charge of this department. The past year there has been made 16 reservoir, 77 man hole, and 106 cesspool covers. Bills for the two former have been charged to Fire Department, and Sewers and Drains. The last named the Committee of 1853 decided to be a part and parcel belonging to the Health Department.

Paupers, Prisoners, and the Sick.

There is run at the expense of this department, three vehicles for the conveyance of persons above described; two of them at an expense of $1,500 each, and one at $800 The only amount realized from the one con

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veying the Paupers and Jail Prisoners, for the year 1856, was $22.00; the permitted Paupers to Deer Isl and Boat being paid for by the Overseers of the Poor. There has been conveyed by the Pauper carriage, in addition to the one run from the several station houses, to and from the Jail, in detail, as follows:

This Department has also the charge of removing all snow and ice from the sidewalks of all Public Grounds, and the sidewalks and yards of Public Buildings. In the above is included the Common and three sides of the Public Garden, viz: the Milldam, Charles, and Boylston streets.

Fire Department.

There is furnished by this Department, two horses, for the use of Hook and Ladder Co. No. 3, located on Harrison avenue, next to City Stables. They always stand harnessed and ready for use in case of alarm. The amount charged for the use thereof is $600.00 per annum, or $400.00 less than is charged at the north part of the city, for the same service. Good horses are re

quired, and the amount will not much more than pay the keeping, and the services of these horses in city teams would often facilitate the business of this department. Two men in city employ act as riders, and remain with horses until their return.

And in conclusion, I would most respectfully add, that the continued growth of the city, together with the high rates of every article required for city use, must of necessity call for a larger appropriation than has yet been made, for the next financial year; and in the ratio to the amount expended during the year 1856, an additional appropriation will be required for the financial year 1856-7. Certain work to be performed, and a certain amount of labor required for the same, must, in some degree, account for the amount expended, over the amount appropriated.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

EZRA FORRISTALL,

Superintendent.