for fire purposes. It will either be sold or exchanged for new apparatus. The following new apparatus has been added during the year: 1 Scott-Uda Aerial Ladder. 1 Ladder carriage, usual pattern. The hook and ladder carriage was made in the department repair shop. The Scott-Uda Aerial Ladder is well known as a selfsustaining ladder, of 100 feet in length, already in use in some of the larger cities. It has every appearance of strength and stability, and has been thoroughly tested. It is not run to every fire, but is kept in the heart of the city where it can be got at a moment's notice. Its value will be more evident in the event of a fire in one of the higher buildings above the reach of the ordinary ladders. There has been no occasion calling for its use since its purchase, but the Board have confidence in its reliability. It is in charge of Hook and Ladder Company No. 8, who are frequently drilled in putting the several sections together and in raising it. The Bangor extension ladder is intended to take the place of the common splice ladder. It is claimed that it can be raised with fewer men and in less time, and when up that it is stiffer than the splice. The Steam Fire Engine estimated for was not purchased, as the rebuilding of Engine No. 18 made the purchase of a new one unnecessary. In the appropriation approved for the coming year the estimate of $1,600 is for additional hose carriages and light wagons, such as can be made at the repair shop. It is believed that there are enough engines and ladder carriages for present needs. The "Self Propeller" in the use of Engine Co. No. 21 has given very satisfactory results. The experience of the past year has tended to confirm the favorable opinion of that class of engines which the Board have for some time entertained. A self-propelling steam engine is under more complete control than an engine drawn by horses can possibly be; the speed can be checked at once, and a change of direction effected instantly. STEAM HEATERS. The steam-circulating heaters (coal-burning) in use have proved so satisfactory that seven more of the same pattern have been obtained. The gas-burning heaters have all been abandoned and their place supplied by the new coal-burners. At present twenty-one of the engines are furnished with them. The consumption of coal is something less than a ton a month for each heater. There is no question of their value. HOSE. The number of feet of hose of all kinds, on hand and in use, is somewhat more than was reported a year ago, and is as follows: A considerable quantity of hose of all kinds has been condemned as entirely unserviceable, and most of it sold. The new hose purchased during the year is as follows: As has been stated in former reports, any estimate of the quality of the hose in use is at best an approximation. The length of time it has been in use is perhaps as good a means as any, except actual test, of determining its strength, for it is a fact now well established that all hose, but especially rubber hose, deteriorates steadily, whether in actual use or not, and many think quite as rapidly in the store-house as it does in use at fires. The only means of ascertaining the amount of deterioration is to burst the hose. The life of rubber hose. may in a general way be given at six years, but if the hose is made of inferior materials it will not last half that time. It is not intended to keep in service in the department any hose which will not stand at least a pressure of 100 pounds on the square inch, but there will always be some so near to this point that a slight additional strain will burst it; and this not reliable hose is roughly estimated at 20 per cent. of the whole, thus : — Reliable, 80 per cent. Not fully reliable, 20 per cent. HORSES. The department has been and is at present well equipped with horses. The number now in service is 134, including those used for the Fire-Alarm Telegraph. The number in service April 30th, 1875, was 126. During the year one has died from disease, four have been sold or exchanged, and twelve have been purchased. The general health is now excellent. During the month. of October the epizootic disease appeared, but in a much milder form than it had on its former appearance in 1872. Out of all the horses in the department 94 were affected more or less by the disease; and of these 22 appeared seriously, and 72 slightly, affected. About a half-dozen were sick a month or more, some 40 were sick for a fortnight, and the rest for about a week. Whenever a horse was clearly unfit for work, his place was filled by a fresh horse; but as long as he ate well and appeared in good spirits, he was exercised regularly, and used if the apparatus was called out. It did not appear that such use was injurious to the horse. None died in consequence of the disease. The treatment was simple, mild remedies being used, the main reliance being upon careful feeding, gentle exercise and nursing. Generally all the horses in any one stable would be affected if one was; but in a few cases one of a pair would be ill, while the other escaped entirely. APPARATUS REPAIR SHOP. The apparatus repair shop has proved a complete success. During the year a large amount of work has been done in repairs and alterations of apparatus, in new apparatus, in repairs of buildings, and in Fire-Alarm Telegraph work. The work turned out is believed to be of the very best quality, and time will show the economy of sound materials and thorough workmanship. In addition to the workmen regularly employed, a considerable number from the permanent force, varying with the amount of work to be done, have been detailed to work in the shop. They respond to alarms of fire, and the city has the advantage of their skilled labor as well as of their services in case of fire. The following list will serve to show the character and amount of work done in the shop: NEW APPARATUS. Hook and ladder carriage for Hook and Ladder Co. No. 8. Eight new engine heaters with attachments complete. REPAIRS. Engine No. 6.- General overhauling, new frame and boiler head, wheels rebuilt, etc. Engine No. 6. Hose carriage, general overhauling, new wheels and axles. Engine No. 17. - General repairs on engines and pumps. Engine No. 18. — Rebuilt. Engine No. 21 (Propeller). - General overhauling, new tubes, and driving wheels rebuilt. Engine No. 25. - General repairs of engine and pumps, new tubes, etc. Engine No. 26-Hose carriage. General overhauling, new wheels and axles. Fire Boat.-General repairs on engines, pumps, and boilers. Hose No. 1.-General overhauling. Hose No. 8.-General overhauling. Supply wagons Nos. 1 and 2.-General overhauling. Fire-Alarm Telegraph Wagons, Nos. 1 and 2.-General overhauling. In addition to the above, general repairs of less moment have been made upon nearly all the apparatus in use in the department. The expenditures on account of the repair shop, including materials, labor and expense of running the shop, have been Credit by old material sold. $10,553 90 290 07 $10,263 83 There has been charged to account of Repairs of apparatus $6,901 72 New apparatus 1,930 26 Repairs of houses 912 78 Tools for repair shop 337 54 Repairs of hose and harness 148 89 Furniture, bedding, ladders, rakes, hats, In addition thereto the "detailed labor" done at the shop would, if charged for at the usual rates, have amounted Furniture, bedding, ladders, rakes, hats, |