be required, if it should be deemed proper to continue its usefulness, and make it reasonably capacious enough to meet the demands which are made upon it, and have Boston maintain its reputation for liberal and needful public institutions.

It is expected that the trustees will soon submit a communication to the city Council setting forth, more in detail than can be done at this time, the needs and necessities of the hospital, and what they deem will be for the interests of the city. The subject is most respectfully commended to your earnest and early attention.

CHURCH STREET DISTRICT.

The work of raising the buildings, and of widening and grading the streets, of the Church Street District, so-called, was commenced in July, 1868, under special authority granted by the General Court, and completed about the first of October, 1869, commissioners for the purpose having been appointed in June 1868. In November, 1868, the commissioners, under the direction of the committee of the city Council, and with the approval of the mayor, were authorized and empowered to settle and adjust damages with the former owners, upon such terms and conditions as they should deem

expedient; and, in making such settlements, the mayor was authorized to reconvey the estates taken, or any parts thereof. This has been done to a considerable extent, and it is to be regretted that all the reconveyances could not be made under the supervision of the committee that has so ably and faithfully served the city in this important and perplexing business. Satisfactory settlements, however, have been made with most of the persons from whom the property was taken, and many of these estates have been reconveyed to the former owners. Of the three hundred and fifty-three estates taken by the city, one hundred and forty have been deeded back to the original owners, or, having been surrendered, have been sold to other persons, leaving about two hundred and thirteen to be reconveyed. This fact is one that should be remedied as speedily as possible, as great hindrances and embarrassments that have arisen from the taking by the city are continued, which it is the duty of the city to have removed, in order that the lawful owners may enjoy the full extent of their just rights. It could hardly be expected that such a great work, affecting so nearly the interests and convenience of so large a number of people, could be performed without creating dis

satisfaction on the part of some; yet, on the whole, the plan adopted by the city council for improving the district, and so admirably carried out by the committee, may be regarded as highly successful. The property has been increased in value from fifty to one hundred per centum, and is now in a condition to rise in value equally with the most desirable portions of the city. The work of raising the buildings and the grade of the territory has been accomplished considerably within the estimates. The total cost of the improvement, including the widening and extension of several of the streets, and the value of land retained for public purposes, after deducting the receipts from the sale of property surrendered to the city, will amount to about eight hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. Thus one of our greatest hereditary nuisances has been abated, a sickly region rendered healthy, a filthy place made clean and comfortable, and a large tract of more than thirteen acres rescued from its degraded condition, and largely increased in value by the ingenuity of the contractors and the energy and fidelity of city officers. By virtue of an order of the last city Council, the commissioners have been discharged and their unfinished work will be completed by some suitable person.

SUFFOLK STREET DISTRICT.

One of the most important matters requiring the attention of this government is the improvement of that portion of the city lying between Washington street on the east, Tremont street on the west, Pleasant street on the north, and Dover street on the south, known as the Suffolk Street District. For this territory the city has obtained similar power from the legislature for the abatement of the nuisance, caused by imperfect drainage, that it had in the case of the Church Street District; and in view of the success of the Church street improvement, a similar plan of procedure will undoubtedly meet the requirements in remedying the defects of this large area of land. The situation of this territory, in the heart of the city, makes an almost imperative necessity for some action on the part of the government, in order to place it in a condition, with respect to drainage and streets, to allow of its being occupied by a better class of buildings for business purposes, or dwellings, than it now has. The estimated cost of raising the territory and the buildings upon it, and of superintending the work, amounts to one million seven hundred

and fifty-one thousand five hundred and fifty dollars; and for widening and extending certain streets and places, in order to develop the property to the best advantage, to six hundred thou-· sand dollars, making the total cost of the proposed improvement two million three hundred and fifty-one thousand five hundred and fifty dollars. A large portion of the expense for widening and extending the streets may properly be assessed upon the property benefited. The further consideration of this important subject having been referred to you by the last city government, I most earnestly commend it to your attention.

STATE LEGISLATION.

By direction of the city Council, I petitioned the General Court during its late session for authority for the city Council in certain matters which required additional legislation. The most important of the petitions were granted by the passage of acts giving the required authority. Several applications have been made for other powers, which will undoubtedly meet the approval of the legislature.

In view of the rapid increase in the number of