spring. When this desirable project shall have been completed, then the boys and girls will each be provided for in separate buildings, a provision which has been much desired by those who have given special attention to this interesting and most useful department of the public institutions.

The directors are now engaged in the consideration of plans for a new almshouse for the adult poor. This will be located on a desirable site, in the neighborhood of the boys' and girls' schools. Thus an object, which has very frequently been pressed upon the attention of the city Council, will be most happily accomplished, namely, the entire disconnection of the charitable from the reformatory institutions; and in a short time it is to be hoped the worthy poor will not be disgraced by being placed under the under the same roof with the vicious, and those who have been sentenced to imprisonment. for violating the laws. The only additional expense which will be incurred by this important arrangement will be the cost of heating a separate building, and the additional employment of a small number of subordinate officers. The more important officials, the Superintendent, Chaplain, Physician and Farmer,

can as well perform the duties for the separate buildings as they now do under the present objectionable arrangement, and will not require any additional expenditure for their services in the general management. The relief that will be given by the erection of this new building for the poor will afford ample accommodation for several years to come for the sentenced persons, the subjects of the reformatory institutions.

The introduction of pure water from Mystic Pond, as provided for during the past year, will be highly beneficial in its effects, and conducive to the health and comforts of the inmates, as well as be a greater protection from fire.

The directors have been authorized by the city Council to construct a substantial sea-wall on a portion of the southerly side of the island. This will be of much benefit to the institutions, and its value would be much increased if it could be extended along the entire southerly front.

The House of Correction at South Boston is in its usual good order and condition. The receipts obtained for the labor of the prisoners have increased so rapidly of late, and are now so large as to warrant the belief that this institution will soon be self-sustaining. The building, however,

does not afford a sufficient number of cells, in the wing appropriated for the men, for the present demand; and at this time more than forty male prisoners are confined in the attic story of the building. Whenever the asylum for the insane can be removed to some other place, the building now used for hospital purposes can be enclosed within the grounds of the House of Correction, and be fitted up and used for the female prisoners, the most orderly of whom can be properly, humanely, and very beneficially allowed to sleep in dormitories, instead of being incarcerated in cells. These improvements, which are absolutely needed, can be made at a moderate cost whenever the buildings can be vacated for the purpose.

During the past year alterations have been made to add temporarily to the security, safety and com-. fort of the inmates of the Lunatic Hospital, and to give accommodations to the continually increasing number of patients. Nevertheless, the hospital remains in the same crowded condition in which it has been for the last few years, the number of the patients being more than two hundred; and in several of the rooms ten or twelve persons are huddled together, to the great injury of health, and with a risk of personal harm to the inmates, not

withstanding the good and constant watch that is kept over them by the kind and careful attendants. This disgraceful state of things can never be satisfactorily overcome until suitable provision is made for these unfortunate beings by the erection of a proper building, wherein they can be humanely taken care of, in a manner that will comport with the notions of the city in all its matters relating to the care and management of its cleemosynary institutions.

In my last annual communication to the city Council, I urgently recommended the purchase of Rainsford Island for hospital uses, more especially for establishing an institution for the treatment and reformation of inebriates. Correspondence has been had with the State authorities, and I hope that a purchase of this island will be accomplished at a fair and reasonable price, and something done to ameliorate the condition of a suffering part of our community. Your attention is especially called to the furtherance of this benevolent object, and an early action in reference to the same is most respectfully requested and urged.

OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.

The department under the care of the Board of Overseers of the Poor has been quietly doing its

appropriate work, without ostentation on their part, or much public observation. The worthy poor have been visited in their humble tenements, and furnished with aid from the city treasury, their comforts contributed to and their wants relieved. Every case brought to the notice of the Board receives a thorough examination; and a system of administration has been adopted by which, while proper assistance is afforded to the deserving poor, healthy checks against imposture and abuse are also provided. The general functions of the Board are to administer outdoor relief; and the cases which receive aid include specifically those persons who have acquired a legal settlement in the city, by the payment of taxes by themselves or by their ancestors, and others, who, on account of sickness or other circumstances demand instant relief. A very large number of persons are assisted who belong to the State, or to other municipalities than our own, and the money expended therefor is reimbursed to the city treasury.

It is a gratifying fact that the increase of our own poor, who claim aid by reason of having gained a settlement, has not been so large as might reasonably be expected, considering the growth of the city. The principal advance in this direction is from what is called the Military Settlement aid, which is most justly due the families of the soldiers