This drain upon the repair fund, and the frequent detention at this point, could be obviated by the construction of a dam at the lower end of the narrows, thus forming a slackwater backing up to the dam above. This improvement could be completed at a cost not exceeding the expense incurred within a few years past for the repairs of the piece of canal which would be thus abandoned. It would be economical, and afford a better line of transportation. The propriety of making the change is worthy the consideration of the Legislature. Should that body at its coming or any succeeding session, concur in the suggestions of the Board, an estimate of the cost will be laid before it.

Upon the Western division, the navigation has experienced but little interruption during the season. The lower portion of the line escaped damage by the flood of October. On the upper portion, dam No. 5, and the dam at the head of the basin at Johnstown, received considerable damage, and several breaches occurred in the banks of the canal. The repairs were, however, so far advanced as to permit of the resumption of navigation after a suspension of one week. The principal extraordinary repairs which will be required on this line during the present winter, are, the replacing of the superstructure of the Pine Creek aqueduct; repairs to the aqueduct over the Allegheny, near Freeport; the repairing of water ways, slope wall, &c.

The net revenue from the main line of canal, was two hundred and forty-five thousand nine hundred and thirty-three dollars and fortyeight cents. Total net revenue on whole main line of canal and railroad, six hundred and twenty thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars and sixteen cents.

The navigation on the Susquehanna division was opened on the 12th of March. This line did not escape the effects of the flood of October. A heavy breach occurred at the Junction, at the head of Duncan's island; and another at the upper end of the culvert over Wild Cat creek, below Liverpool. The requisite repairs were made as soon as practicable, and the navigation re-opened after a suspension of about three weeks. As the spans of the culvert over Wild Cat creek are too contracted to discharge the waters in extraordinary freshets, and as the structure requires extensive repairs, if not re-building, it has been determined to substitute an aqueduct for the culvert. This will be done during the present winter, at an expense not much exceeding the repair of the culvert, and at the same time effecting a desirable improvement in the line. The aqueduct over Penn's creek, the locks, water-ways, &c., will require some repairs. Cost of damage by floods, six thousand nine hundred and four dollar.

The winter repairs upon the West Branch division were completed, and the navigation opened, on the 18th of March, and remained uninterrupted until the 25th of September, when a rise in Delaware run caused the waters to break into the canal, making three large breaches in the level. This was succeeded by the flood of the 7th and Sth of October, which made numerous breaches in the canal, washed away the banks in various places, partially displacing and damaging the aqueducts over Larry's and Lycoming creeks. The dam at

Queen's run was injured, and the water broke in around the Muncy dam, on the west side, and washed the bank away for about three hundred feet, and taking out some two acres of land. The structures were temporarily repaired, and the banks of the canal placed in a condition to pass boats; but on the 12th of this month another flood occurred, which made several breaches on the line, and closed the navigation for the season. Estimated cost of repairing the damage by both floods, nineteen thousand dollars. To place this line in order for the spring business, it is requisite that an early appropriation should be made by the Legislature.

The repairs to the mechanical work, and the banks and bed of the North Branch division, delayed the opening of navigation until the 10th of April. As the line received no injury from the floods, the transportation upon it was uninterrupted until the close of the season, with the exception of seven days, caused by the giving way of a culvert and the high water in the river. The repairs to Nanticoke dam are not quite completed. About ninety feet of cribbing and filling are required to make it secure. The shute of the dam is in bad condition, and will require considerable repair.

Total estimated cost of repairing damage by floods on all the lines, two hundred and sixty-five thousand nine hundred and thirty-nine dollars and sixty-one cents.

In pursuance of the act of the 16th of March, 1847, authorizing the construction of a weigh-lock on the North Branch division, the Board, after an examination of several sites, located the lock at Beach Haven, on the lower end of the first level below Nanticoke dam. This location, in addition to its other advantages, avoids the necessity of wasting water when weighing boats, as the water from the lock will be discharged through a culvert into the level below. Proposals were issued for the construction of the lock, and the work allotted to Pettibone and Marcy, who are progressing with the work, and will have it completed by the opening of navigation. It will be a composite lock, ninety-two feet long in the chamber, and seventeen feet wide in the clear. A contract was also entered into with Messrs. Ellicott and Abbott of Philadelphia, for scales of an improved construction. They have been partly delivered, and will be put up as soon as the lock is completed.

The toll received on the Susquehanna and North and West Branch divisions, in 1847, was one hundred and eighty-five thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine dollars and seventy-four cents, being an excess of thirty-three thousand seven hundred and four dollars and fiftytwo cents over 1846.

The Delaware division has been in successful operation from the opening of navigation, on the 13th of March, to the close of the season, having experienced but a few slight interruptions throughout the year. The repairs for the year were of the usual ordinary character, and were executed in an economical manner. A reference to the table of receipts and expenditures will show that there has been a gratifying increase of business on this valuable portion of the public improvements over the last year. The excess of receipts over expen

ditures in 1847, amount to one hundred and forty-eight thousand eighty-two dollars and sixty-seven cents, making a large interest on one million three hundred and eighty-four thousand one hundred and thirty-six dollars and ninety-six cents, the original cost of construction. Under the provisions of the act of the 20th of April, 1846, entitled "An act authorizing the construction of an out-let lock on the Delaware division, Pennsylvania canal," the Board, on the 26th of Aprillast, advertised for proposals for a loan of twenty thousand dollars, for the construction of the lock at Wells' falls, to be re-imbursed in the manner prescribed by the act. The loan was taken by C. Macalister, at an interest of five per cent., and deposited in the State Treasury on the 11th of June last. A certificate was issued to Mr. Macalister, by the Board of Canal Commissioners, in accordance with the provisions of the act of the Legislature. Proposals were immediately issued for the construction of the work, which was allotted to the lowest bidders, Sumner and Delano, at the gross sum of eighteen thousand dollars. The work was commenced forth with, and is now nearly completed, and only awaits the discharge of water from the canal, in order to sever the intermediate portion, and form the proper connexion with the canal prism. This improvement consists of a guardlock one hundred and twenty-two feet in the chamber, a canal nine hundred feet in length, and an out-let lock two and a-half feet lift, with chamber one-hundred and twenty-two feet in the clear. The locks are built of ruble masonry, laid in the best hydraulic cement. The towing path is paved one foot thick on top, thoroughly walled both outside and in, and altogether is believed to form a complete and durable work. A connexion will thus be formed with the Delaware and Raritan canal, without any diminution of the revenues of the line, the act prescribing that boats passing in or out at the lock, shall pay tolls for the whole distance between Easton and Bristol.

The Eastern reservoir, designed to supply the upper levels of the Juniata division, during the dry season, has been completed, and was put in operation during the season just closed. It is believed it will fully answer all the purposes of its construction. The actual cost of its construction was $32,566-17; amount appropriated, thirty thousand dollars, leaving a balance of $2,566-17 to be provided for.

In their last annual report the Board stated that "the large expenditures required for repairing the damage, by the last spring's flood, to our public works, induced the Board to defer placing the work at the Western reservoir under contract at the time they had intended, and no measures other than receiving proposals for it, have been taken for its prosecution." The utility of such a feeder to the Western division has been practically demonstrated during the short period the reservoir on the eastern side of the mountain has been in operation. But as it is doubtful whether the appropriation made to complete this work, by the act of the 31st of January, 1846, has, or has not, reverted to the general funds of the Treasury, it remains for the Legislature to determine whether it shall be completed and brought into use.

Petitions from all sections of the Commonwealth, numerously and

respectably signed, have, at different times, been presented to the Board, praying that the public works may be closed on the Sabbath day. After having given to these petitions that consideration which was due to the character and the object of the memorialists, the Board came to the conclusion that they had no jurisdiction over the matter. They therefore, respectfully refer the subject to the Legislature.

All the claims for damages under general or special acts, in which sufficient testimony has been produced, have been acted on; and the awards, where damages have been allowed, will be found in statement No. 3. excepting in those cases requiring special reports, which will be made at an early day of the session. The general appropriation bill of the last session enacts that "no awards made under general or special laws previous to the 1st of January, 1847, shall be paid until a special appropriation shall be made therefor." Several demands have been made for the payment of awards reported to the Legislature previous to the last session, which could not be complied with, owing to the restrictions of this act. It would seem to be due to these claimants that some general provision should be made for their relief.

The act of the 16th of March, 1847, to provide for the ordinary expenses of government, &c., appropriated the sum of ten thousand dollars for re-building public and farm bridges over the canals and railroads. Of this amount, four thousand two hundred and twentyfive dollars have been drawn from the Treasury, leaving a balance of five thousand seven hundred and seventy-five dollars, which will be applied to the repair of bridges during the present season.

The estimated cost for repairs in 1848, is exhibited in the accompanying statement, No. 2. The amount therein asked for, of two hundred and thirty-three thousand three hundred and sixty dollars, for ordinary and extraordinary repairs, and two hundred and four thousand five hundred dollars for the repair of breaches by the late floods, will be amply sufficient for the purpose, should no similar disaster occur, provided the usual appropriation is made of fifty thousand dollars, for the purchase and preparation of materials for executing repairs after the 1st of December next.

The act of the 20th of April, 1846, appropriated fifty thousand dollars for the purchase and preparation of materials for repairs after the 1st of December, of that year. Of this sun, twenty-three thousand six hundred and ninety-four dollars and forty-seven cents were expended for those purposes previous to the 1st of December, 1846. In their last annual report, the Board remarked that "in the appropriation of April 20, 1846, the usual contingent fund for breaches, &c., was omitted; and a large amount of extraordinary repairs of this character have been made during the past season, rendered necessary by frequent floods, land slides, breaches, and other casualties. These causes have operated to exhaust the existing appropriations for repairs of the canal and railroads, and unless funds are immediately provided, the current repairs during the winter, cannot be as promptly and economically made as they ought to be. In consequence of

the expense of these extraordinary repairs in 1846, the balance of the before mentioned appropriation of fifty thousand dollars, amounting to twenty-six thousand five hundred and five dollars and fifty-three cents, was absorbed in the payment of debts due for repairs previous to the 1st of December, 1846, with the exception of six hundred and fifteen dollars and seventy-one cents, which was applied to the repairs of 1847. As the Legislature omitted to make an appropriation for breaches, at its last session, the Board were compelled to expend thirty-five thousand three hundred and forty-four dollars, of the fifty thousand dollars appropriated for materials and repairs after the 1st of December, 1847, in the repair of the damages by the several floods. This has necessarily left the different lines of canal and railroad in debt for ordinary repairs. No appropriation for the payment of these debts will be required if the amounts asked for in the estimates be granted.

As the funds appropriated by the Legislature were nearly exhausted soon after commencing the repair of the breaches by the flood of October, the Board found themselves under the necessity either of abandoning all further operations, which would have put it out of their power to place the canals in order for an early spring business, or of obtaining the means of prosecuting the repairs in advance of the meeting of the Legislature. To have suspended the repairs at . that time would have been productive of certain loss to the revenues of the Commonwealth. In this emergency, the Board deemed it their duty to hold a conference with the Governor and State Treasurer, as to the proper course to be pursued. The result of that conference was a circular addressed by the Governor to several of the banks holding on deposit the State funds, asking them to place, on their own responsibility, the sum of fifty thousand dollars, in the aggregate, to the credit of the Treasurer of the Board of Canal Commissioners, to be applied exclusively to the repair of damages by the floods-trusting to the Legislature to replace the amount to their credit at an early day. The banks complied with the request, and the money, so far as drawn out, has been solely applied to the object contemplated. This sum of fifty thousand dollars is included in the estimates of the present year for the repair of breaches.

The Board would earnestly recommend to the Legislature the propriety of adopting some provision, under proper restrictions, for the repair of extraordinary breaches, when the specific appropriations have become exhausted. The disasters of the present year point to the necessity of adopting such measures, as, in similar cases, would advance the public interests, and at the same time, relieve the Board and other officers of the government from the assumption of an unpleasant responsibility.

It is hoped that the Legislature will perceive the necessity of making an early appropriation (in addition to the fifty thousand dolJars received from the banks,) for repairs in advance of the passage of the general appropriation bill. If no such appropriation be made immediately, the public works cannot be opened for navigation at the proper period in the spring.