the streets surrounding the reservoir and the southern division, that we were obliged to let this reservoir proceed, as contemplated by our predecessors ; except, that we do not excavate the rock, as was previously intended, by which there is a saving, as estimated, of 75,000 dollars. We have added to the expense of the distributing reservoir about $9,000, in conse- quence of having adopted a different finish from that contemplated by our predecessors. With the exceptions above stated, and the abandonment of the three arched bridges at Clendening Valley, the work has in all other respects been progressing agreeably to the plans of our predecessors in office. The project of dispensing with some of the arches over Clendening Valley, was ap- proved by the Common Council, but vetoed by the Mayor, Mr. Varian, on the ground that it would close streets, which, according to the map of the city, were at some future period to be opened in the direction of the arches to be dispensed with. The Commissioners, in the report under consideration, examine at length and in detail, the objections of the Mayor, which they thought might all be obviated — even admitting, which they do not, that the lines traced on the map of the city as future streets, thereby became in law and fact streets, by running a street parallel with the aqueduct, at which these future streets would termi- nate, and along which the travel might pass a short distance till the occurrence of an arch, of which three were still to remain. Neither Board of the Common Council took into consideration this veto of the Mayor, and the Commissioners, deeming that the responsibility for the work and its construction, was legally with themselves, persisted in their plan of dispensing with the three arches, CROTONAQ.UEDUCT. 183 thereby saving an expenditure of $52,000, subject to the deduction of $4500 only, for damages paid to the contractors for the change of plan. The high bridge over the Harlem River, reappears in this report, as a difficult, costly, and not necessary work — and inasmuch as the plan agreed upon by the former Commis- sioners, was not to continue the grade line of the aqueduct, but to descend on the West- chester side some 14 feet with the water in iron pipes, and after passing it over the river in a horizontal line, to raise it on the New York side within 2i feet of the elevation from which it was taken on the north shore, this report recurs to the low bridge, as safer, much cheaper, and with its centre arch of 50 feet height from the water, offering no obstacle to any probable navigation of the Harlem. The saving in time, by this plan, would be nearly two years ; the saving in money, nearly $200,000. This recommendation, however, found no favor, and as a positive law of the Legislature enjoined the construction of the high bridge, if any, the work on that plan was steadily prosecuted. During the month of April, some of the laborers on the upper part of the line struck for wages, and not content with abandoning work themselves, associated in large numbers, and marching along the line, compelled those who were willing to work on at present rates, to break off. The efforts of the civil authorities to restrain the violence of these lawless men, proved unavailing ; and the Commissioners having communicated to the Mayor their apprehension of damage to the work, a military detachment was ordered on the line, at whose appearance order was speedily restored and work resumed. In the course of this year a difference of opinion arose between the Commissioners and the Common Council, in relation to their respective duties in laying the distributing pipes. On the 4th May, the Commissioners made a communication to the Board of Alder- men, calling their attention to the subject of laying down distributing pipes through the city, and expressing their doubts whether committees of the Corporation, necessarily changing from year to year, could execute the work as properly, economically, and sea- sonably, as a fixed department. By the law of 28th April, authorising the additional loan of three millions, the fifth section of which is quoted in a preceding page, it is expressly enacted " that no item of expenditure should be charged against the water stock fund, except the same is approved by the Water Commissioners and the Comptroller." Under this provision, the Commis- sioners stated to the Board of Aldermen, that they felt constrained to call the attention of their engineers to the subject of supplying the city with pipes, and laying them down. " The extent of the subject," say the Commissioners, " and its importance, will be readily perceived, when it has been stated