In Board of Aldermen, December 20, 1869.

Laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.

Attest:

S. F. MCCLEARY, City Clerk.

CITY OF BOSTON.

SUFFOLK REGISTRY OF DEEDS,

BOSTON, Nov. 30, 1869.

To his Honor the Mayor and the Aldermen of the City of Boston:

GENTLEMEN:-The undersigned would respectfully call your attention to the necessity of more commodious apartments for the transaction of the business of this office, which has so much increased within the last few years, and with the recent annexation of Roxbury, and that of Dorchester soon to take place, we shall have a representation of real and personal estate equal to about one-third of the whole Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The facilities and conveniences for transacting the business are now so contracted and limited, that it is attended to with great difficulty to all parties interested. It has been for a long time in my mind to make this appeal, which I have no doubt will be supported by almost every visitor to this office, and everybody interested in real estate. That the County of Suffolk is far behind some of the other counties for accommodations, when it ought not only to be second to none, but superior to any in the Commonwealth, is too apparent to the whole community and is one of the strongest arguments to be used in favor of this appeal. That a new building, sufficiently ample to furnish such accommodations upon one floor, as are necessary for the

future growth of the city, is an undeniable fact.

come.

The arrangement I have recently suggested to Mr. Tucker for present accommodations, will answer (if obtained) a short time, perhaps until new apartments can be furnished. What is wanted, is a building that will suffice not only for months, but years to A suggestion has been made that if the Savings' Bank estate could be purchased and annexed to the present building, and so arranged that one floor throughout be appropriated to this purpose, the security of the books and papers would be attained to a much greater degree. The transactions in this office for the year commencing July 1, 1865, and ending June 30, 1866, were as follows:

3782 Conveyances.

2008 Mortgages

Total,.

$21,881,606 13

7,544,247 73

$29,425,853 86

And I think I can estimate the increase for the year from July 1, 1868, to June 30, 1869, to have been at least onethird, amounting to about $40,000,000.

The recent movements in some of the other neighboring towns indicate strongly that efforts will soon be made for further annexation, perhaps to a greater extent of territory than is at present apparent.

In hoping that the above communication will be favorably received and considered, I believe I have the support of every person having business transactions in this office, and in so doing that I am simply performing a duty which I owe to them and the public.

JAMES RICE,

Register.