attention in reviewing the record of the past year. In the reorganization, management and government of the force the Board have steadily adhered to the principles laid down in the report of last year. They have endeavored to impress upon all, both officers and men, the importance of the duties imposed upon them, and the necessity of a faithful performance of each one, even of those which may appear trivial, and they have held every man to a strict responsibility for whatever trust may have been imposed upon him. The faithful carrying out of these principles has produced its natural result in the discipline and efficiency of the force.

The rules and regulations originally adopted after careful consideration, and the orders issued from time to time, have been rigidly enforced, and with strict impartiality. Some of them may seem at first sight severe, or exacting; but no rule has been adopted which was not deemed necessary to secure the end which the Board have in view, the perfection of the department, and hence none which and hence none which it was not intended should be lived up to fully. The number of dismissals for intoxication, neglect of duty and bad conduct has not been very large, viz., 31; though it is to be regretted that it is not smaller. In most of these cases the use of liquor has been the primary cause of trouble; but in no instance has any one been dishonorably discharged or punished in any way until after a full investigation, when the accused was heard in his own defence and such evidence as he could bring was duly weighed. The Board have endeavored always to impress upon the members of the department that strict justice should be done them in all cases. The general readiness to submit to any requirement which is considered by the Board necessary for the good of the service and the safety of the city is satisfactory evidence of the reasonableness of the requirements and of the intelligence and good character of the men.

In making appointments the Board have been governed

solely by the good character, physical capacity, and special fitness for the duties required of the appointees.

In a word, the Board believe that the department as now constituted is one every way creditable to the city, and a force more reliable and better able than ever before to give the protection to property which may justly be expected from it.

ORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT.

The companies are divided into two classes:

1st. Permanent Companies, all the officers and members of which are constantly employed.

2d. Call Companies, a greater or less number of the members of which are called out by the public alarm, and do duty only at fires.

1 Chief Engineer, permanently employed. 11 Assistant Engineers,

doing duty only at fires.

In companies which have separate horse hose-carriages, the foreman is permanently employed, and drives the hosecarriage.

At the present date, Engine Cos. Nos. 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 23, 25 and 26, Hook and Ladder Co. Nos. 1, 3 and 8, and Chemical Engine Cos. Nos. 1 and 2, and the Fire Boat, have been reorganized as permanent companies.

Engine Co. No. 22 will at once be reorganized as permanent. The rest of the force will consist of call companies.

The force, when completely reorganized, will consist of 3 Commissioners; 1 Chief Engineer; 1 Superintendent Fire Alarms; 13 Assistant Engineers; 4 Clerks; 22 Permanent Foremen; 13 Assistant Foremen ; 29 Steam Enginemen; 5 Chemical Enginemen; 27 Assistant Enginemen; 156 Permanent Hosemen and Laddermen; 361 Call Hosemen and Laddermen, and 1 Messenger to Chief Engineer, 1 Teamster, 3 Permanent Hostlers, and 11 Hand Enginemen; 1 Captain of Fire Boat; 1 Mate; 1 Steward; 1 Engineman; 1 Assistant Engineman; 1 Stoker; and 1 Deck hand; 4 Fire-alarm Telegraph Operators, and 5 Repairers; in all, 664 men.

FIRE DISTRICTS.

The city has been divided into Ten Fire Districts as follows:

DISTRICT 1.- Comprises all that part of Boston known as East Boston.

DISTRICT 2. — All that part of Boston formerly known as

Charlestown.

DISTRICT 3. All that part east of a line beginning at the Charles River Drawbridge, and running

through the centre of Charlestown street, Haymarket square and Washington to Summer streets, and north of Summer street and the N. Y. and N. E. R. R. Passenger Depot to the Water.

DISTRICT 4. All that part west of District 3, and north of a line running through the centre of

Winter and Park streets, and west of Beacon to Otter, and North of Otter street to the water.

DISTRICT 5. All that part south of Districts 3 and 4 to the centre of Dover-street Drawbridge, and a line running through the centre of Dover, Berkeley, Boylston, Arlington, Beacon and Otter streets to the water. DISTRICT 6.All that part of Boston known as South Boston.

DISTRICT 7.— All that part of Boston south of District 5, to the centre of Albany-street Drawbridge; thence through the centre of Albany, Northampton streets, Columbus avenue and Chester park to Charles river.

DISTRICT 8. All that part south and west of District 7, to the boundary line of Ward 17 (formerly West Roxbury), and west of Shawmut avenue to the Brookline boundary line, and including all of Ward 19 (formerly Brighton).

DISTRICT 9. All that part south of Districts 6 and 7, to Ward 17, and a line running through the centre of Blue Hill avenue, Columbia, Green, Bowdoin, Church and East streets, and east of District 8 to the water.

DISTRICT 10. All the southerly part of Boston, south of Districts 8 and 9, including Ward 17 (formerly West Roxbury).

ASSIGNMENT OF DISTRICTS.

Each district has been placed under the charge of an Assistant Engineer, as follows:

Assistant Engineer Joseph Dunbar, assigned to District 1.