pound of coal combustion.

Also, it is generally regarded that marine plants, including main engines and auxiliaries that run on a consumption of 16 pounds of water per horse power per hour, is good practice.

Assuming these results that we know what is obtained in practice, the actual horse power under working conditions and natural draught which these boats would develop, would not exceed 2,300 horse power.

Considering the reference made to forced draught, assuming the Scotch boiler at its most efficient initial steam pressure for economical working conditions, and forced draught applied, practice shows that the boilers will not stand wear and tear and excessive strains due to the forced draught, and do not give satisfactory results, materially increasing the actual coal consumption, which would be the case in the proposition set forth, as to provisions for forced draught necessary to maintain speed, subject to tides and ice. The basis on which is assumed consumption of 2 pounds of coal per horse power per hour for Scotch boilers, as against 21⁄2 pounds for most water tube boilers, is not known in practice, and reference is made to waste of steam due to water tube boilers blowing off when the boats are in the slip, is not the results of practice when dampers are provided in the stacks to check the draught which has generally been considered good engineering, and provided for the present designed boats.

The lasting qualities of Scotch boilers as compared to water tube boilers, we wish to inform you that practice shows that where forced draught is applied to Scotch boilers the lasting qualities are about proportionately inversely as to either draught; that is under forced draught 10 horse power would last seven years as against 7 horse power for ten years for natural draught, based on the same boiler capacity for Scotch boilers, their lasting qualities due to increased strains; also economy of repairs, practice does not show to be equal to the water tube boilers.

Referring to the deck area of the boats as proposed, with installation of Scotch boilers in one fireroom, necessitating the stacks passing up through the centre of vessel, causing use of centre enclosures which, if adopted for even the boats as at present designed, would decrease the passenger and freight deck area 10 per cent., without saying anything about the smaller size boats as proposed.

The assumed figures as set forth for the proposed boats we do not deem it necessary to deal with in detail, other than noting there is a total reduction of $103,820. Assuming the boats as at present designed at a cost of $370,000 each, which is ample allowance for their construction, and deducting from this $103,820, leaving $266,180 to build these proposed boats.

As facts in the history of ferryboat building within two years we know that the builders have made bids on similar boats with Scotch boiler installation and other equipment not exceeding what would be called for by these proposed boats; the bids referred to were for somewhat smaller boats, ranged from $335,000 to $390,000. These bids, made on plans and specifications, we regard as more reliable than the assumed figures set forth in the report as referred to.

To show what we have done we will only say that we have been at work since July 28, 1903, investigating the ferryboat problem.

We have had experts go on board all the ferries about New York and have reports on the management, handiness in steering, coal consumption, style of engines and boilers, and after all these months of labor have made the plans as shown. We have spared neither time nor money to arrive at our conclusions.

We have consulted with experts on boilers, engines, electric plant, ventilation and the many up-to-date methods of transporting passengers.

We have availed ourselves of trials of models made at Washington in the Government tank and have modified our model in consequence of these trials, and with known success we have had with large steamboats and their construction we have, we think, made a much more accurate estimate of speed, horse-power, type of boilers than has ever been made before, for a glance at most ferryboats show that little time has been given to the design and arrangement.

All carefully worked out plans are easy to be criticised, and this result has been reached in the report shows what an easy thing it is to do.

Very respectfully yours,

CARY SMITH & FERRIS.

Mr. David J. Tyson, of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce; President George W. Cromwell, Mr. Henry M. Morrison, Judge Kenney and Stephen M. Hoye were heard at length in regard to the matter.

A general discussion followed, participated in by all the members of the Board.

The Comptroller explained to the Board the purport of the action taken by the last administration at meeting held July 2, 1902 (see Minutes, 1903, page 622), and called attention to the fact that the plans were prepared to cover certain conditions informally discussed by the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund and entirely from a layman's point of view as to the service required, no professional opinion having been obtained as to the service demanded and the best manner of operating a municipal ferry; that the designer received certain instructions and prepared tentative plans to fulfill the conditions named, which plans were subsequently referred to Colonel E. A. Stevens, the Consulting Marine Architect employed by the Dock Department for a report. Upon this report the plans were somewhat modified, but neither Colonel Stevens nor any other expert authority has ever been requested by the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund to give them the benefit of their professional experience in the way of an unhampered opinion as to what kind of boats would best cary out the demands for a better service, and that while he, the Comptroller, was in entire sympathy with the proposition and was willing and anxious to do everything in his power to facilitate matters, he believed that the interests of the City would best be subserved by obtaining the professional advice of Colonel Stevens before acting on a proposition which involves on its face an annual deficit of half a million dollars.

The Chamberlain moved that no further hearings be had on the question.
Carried.

(For the continuation of this matter see pages 169 and 170).

Mr. Benno Lewinson appeared before the Board and was heard relative to the proposition of his client, Mr. Bernard Loth, to build a courthouse at Amsterdam

avenue and One Hundred and Fifty-first street, for the use and occupation of the Eleventh District Municipal Court, which must vacate leased premises now occupied by said court at One Hundred and Twenty-sixth street and Columbus avenue on June 6, 1904.

On motion, the matter was laid over.

The following petition was received from Charles McLoughlin for a release or quit claim of the City's interest in a portion of the Old Clove road, in the Borough of Brooklyn:

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, November 6, 1903.

To the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund of The City of New York:

GENTLEMEN-Petition is hereby made to you for the conveyance by The City of

New York of its interest in the following-described premises:

All that portion of Old Clove road included within lot bounded and described as follows:

Beginning at a point on the southerly side of Sterling place, distant five hundred and twenty-five feet east of the easterly line of Rogers avenue, and running thence southerly and parallel with Rogers avenue about one hundred and seven feet three and one-eighth inches; thence northeasterly and along the southerly line of land conveyed to Welcome S, Jarvis in the year 1890 to the middle line of said Old Clove road; thence northerly along the middle line of said Old Clove road to the southerly side of Sterling place, at a point about one hundred and forty-two feet two inches west of Nostrand avenue, and thence westerly along the southerly line of Sterling place thirty-two feet ten inches, more or less, to the point or place of beginning.

Your petitioner sets forth that he is the present owner of the premises hereinbefore described; that he purchased said property on or about January 5, 1900; that the interest of the said City of New York in the Old Clove road, which forms part of said premises, is a cloud upon the title to the said premises, and that your petitioner is unable to take the proper steps to improve said property by the erection of buildings or otherwise until he can convey the premises without such encumbrance.

Your petitioner therefore asks that The City of New York convey to the owner of the premises hereinbefore described its interest therein upon payment to it of its proper costs and charges. Very respectfully,

CITY OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF KINGS, ss.:

CHARLES McLOUGHLIN.

Charles McLoughlin, the petitioner above named, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is the owner of the premises above mentioned; that he has read the said petition, and that the same is true.

CHARLES McLOUGHLIN.

Sworn to before me this 13th day of November, 1903.

EDWARD S. KEOGH, Notary Public, Kings County.

In connection therewith the Comptroller presented the following report of the Appraiser of Real Estate of the Department of Finance, with opinion of the Corporation Counsel, and offered the following resolution:

Hon. EDWARD M. GROUT, Comptroller:

January 12, 1904.

SIR-Charles McLoughlin, in a verified petition bearing date November 6, 1903, to the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, makes application for a release from The City of New York of all the right, title and interest of said City in and to all that portion of the Old Clove road included within the lot bounded and described as follows:

Beginning at a point on the southerly side of Sterling place, distant 525 feet east of the easterly line of Rogers avenue, and running thence southerly and parallel with Rogers avenue 107 feet 3% inches, more or less; thence northeasterly and along the southerly line of land conveyed to Welcome S. Jarvis in the year 1890 to the middle line of said Old Clove road; thence northerly along the middle line of said Old Clove road to the southerly side of Sterling place, at a point about 142 feet 2 inches west of Nostrand avenue, and thence westerly along the southerly line of Sterling place 32 feet 10 inches, more or less, to the point or place of beginning.

The petition further states that he purchased the property on or about October 1, 1899; that the interest of The City of New York in the Old Clove road, which forms a part of the said premises, is a cloud upon the title of said premises, and that he is unable to take proper steps to improve said property by the erection of buildings or otherwise until he can convey the premises without such encumbrances.

He further asks that The City of New York convey to him a release of its right, title and interest in and to all that portion of the Old Clove road lying within the area of said lot.

The Corporation Counsel, in an opinion dated April 23, 1900 (see minutes Sinking Fund, July 24, 1900, page 327), held that the Old Clove road was what is commonly known as a Dutch road and that the title to it now vests in The City of New York; that said road was not recognized as a street or avenue by the Commissioners appointed for the purpose of laying out streets and avenues in the late City of Brooklyn, under chapter 132 of the Laws of 1835; that in a report of said Commissioners it was provided, among other things, that Clove road shall be discontinued and closed whenever a communication shall be made fit for travel from the City line northerly to Atlantic or Fulton avenue, through either Franklin, Perry, Rogers or Nostrand avenue; that all these avenues have been opened for at least twenty-five years. Chapter 589 of the Laws of 1870, passed May 3, 1870, declared as closed all that part of Clove road between Douglass street and Fulton avenue.

At a meeting of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund held March 5, 1902 (see minutes Sinking Fund, page 197), in the matter of the application of Otto Singer for a release of the portion of the Old Clove road in the block directly north of this, the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund adopted a resolution authorizing the release to the petitioner.

I would respectfully recommend that this application be sent to the Corpora tion Counsel for his opinion as to whether the City's interest in the premises is material or a mere cloud upon the title of a private owner. If he so certifies, the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, pursuant to section 205 of the amended Greater

New York Charter, may properly authorize a release or quit claim for a nominal consideration to the said Charles McLoughlin of all the right, title and interest of The City of New York in and to all that portion of the Old Clove road included within the lines of the lot hereinbefore described, upon the condition that the petitioner shall produce evidence that all taxes, assessments and water rates now a lien on said lands or any portion thereof shall have been paid before receiving such release from the City.

I would also recommend that if the Corporation Counsel shall decide that the interest of the City is not material and purely a cloud upon the title that the interest of the City be appraised at the nominal sum of one dollar ($1), and that the expenses of such release, examination, etc., be fixed at one hundred dollars ($100), to be paid by said petitioner before the delivery of such release.

Respectfully submitted for approval.

MORTIMER J. BROWN,

Appraiser of Real Estate, in Charge of Bureau.

Hon. EDWARD M. GROUT, Comptroller:

NEW YORK, February 3, 1904.

SIR-I have received your ccommunication of January 21, 1904, transmitting for my consideration two applications made to the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund for the release of the City's interest in portions of certain old roads in the Borough of Brooklyn. These applications are made by Charles McLoughlin, for a portion of the Old Clove road, and by Henry Schmidt and Ernst Findeisen, for a portion of the Old Jamaica turnpike, or the Brooklyn and Jamaica Plank road. You inclose reports made to you upon the subject by the Bureau of Real Estate in the Finance Department, and request that I advise you whether the interest of The City of New York as to these pieces of property is material or simply nominal and a mere cloud upon the title of a private owner; and if the latter, you ask me to so certify that the matter may be presented to the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, pursuant to section 205 of the amended Greater New York Charter.

I. Application of Charles McLoughlin in relation to the Old Clove road.

The status of this old road has been the subject of several communications of the Corporation Counsel to the Comptroller. I would refer you particularly to communication dated March 5, 1902, in the matter of the application of Otto Singer. The Corporation Counsel there says:

"This old road is one of a class of abandoned highways in the Borough of Brooklyn which have long since passed out of control of the municipality and have been occupied for a long series of years by private owners. All claims of municipal ownership and control over these premises have been relinquished and taxes and assessments for local improvements have been imposed and collected thereon. Applications formerly made to the City of Brooklyn for quit claim deeds of the interest of the City in these old roads were invariably granted. I am of opinion that the interest of the City in such property is merely nominal and is a cloud upon the title of the private owner within whose property a portion of said old road is included."

I see no reason to differ from this expression of opinion. I therefore hereby certify that whatever interest the City may have had in the property formerly forming a part of the Old Clove road in the old City of Brooklyn, which is included in