Hydrants. During the year 14 new hydrants were established in the City proper, 2 in South Boston, and 9 in East Boston. Altogether there have been established, up to the present time, 73 hydrants have been taken out and replaced by new or repaired ones; 59 decayed hydrant boxes were taken out and replaced by others made of Burnettized lumber; and the same material was used to cover the newly established hydrants. In consequence of the unusual severity of the cold in January and February last, extraordinary pains was necessary to keep many of the hydrants from freezing; but none of importance were out of order when needed in any fire that occurred. The New Pipe Yard. This has proved, thus far, a great convenience in carrying on the operations of the pipe department. During a part of last year, the orders for work at the different machine shops throughout the City were so great, that it would have been quite impossible for us to have got many jobs done when wanted. Much of the work done out of the shop the year before was so poor, that it had to be done over. Statement of Pipes and other Stock on hand, exclusive of For Hydrants. 6 bends, 20 lengtheners, 20 clasps, 34 nipples, 35 Hooper nipples, 29 wastes, 6 valve seats, 13 Lowell composition screws, 60 Kingston screws (old), 100 valve rods (old), 50 caps (old), 75 plug straps (old), 570 lbs. eyes, rings and straps, 50 lbs. chains for caps, 50 lbs. washers, 4 heads (for the Common), 1 New York wharf hydrant, 30 wharf bottoms, 26 wharf cocks, 12 wharf frames and covers. For Stopcocks. 20 4-inch cast iron caps, 3 4-inch spare sides, 1 4-inch valve and screw, 2 4-inch composition 1 screws, 3 6-inch composition screws, 1 6-inch valve and screw, 2 12-inch copper caps, 1 12-inch valve and screw, 2 16-inch copper caps, 2 20-inch nuts, 1 24-inch nut, 1 30inch composition nut, 5 sets 36-inch rollers, 11 36-inch stands, 8 sets 36-inch gearing, 300 lbs. bolts, various sizes. For Service Pipes. 425 square boxes, 70 long boxes, 15 Y boxes, 100 caps, 6 21-inch connection couplings, 4 1-inch flanges, tubes and caps, 20 uprights, 15 1-inch air cocks, 35 1-inch connection couplings, 18 1-inch union cocks, 17 1-inch T cocks, 8 1-inch flange cocks, 38-inch Union cocks, 50 3-inch flange cocks, 17 3-inch T cocks, 27 3-inch connection couplings, 97 -inch Union cocks, 20-inch extra large Union cocks, for repairs, 29 g-inch T cocks, 44-inch straight cocks, 12-inch Y cocks, 310 g-inch flange cocks, 41-inch connection couplings, 50 lbs. old couplings, various kinds. Water Meters. 25 large size, 51 small size, 2 (small size) out of order, 1 large size power meter, 24 composition locks, 3 2-inch double couplings, 2 11-inch check valves, 21 couplings, 18 connections, 210 lbs. lead pipe and couplings. น Lead Pipe. 1,000 lbs. of 2-inch, 1,000 lbs. of 11-inch, 2,250 lbs. of 1-inch, 2,025 lbs. of 3-inch, 2,000 lbs. of g inch. Block Tin Pipe. 250 lbs. of 3-inch, 125 lbs. of -inch. Pig Lead, 1,344 lbs. Scrap Lead, 325 lbs. Sheet Lead, 175 lbs. Block Tin, 25 lbs. Solder, 16 lbs. Gasket, 650 lbs. Consumption of Water. Daily Average Number of Wine Gallons drawn from the Brookline 1,700,000 5,181,700 7,233,700 8,280,900 8,050,500 10,695,200 5,214,000 7,221,100 8,790,300 8,643,600 10,654,200 1,550,000 4,841,200 6,137,900 8,521,100 8,202,200 9,582,100 4,961,000 5,365,200 8,048,700 7,903,600 8,738,500 3,600,000 5,346,100 6,238,400 8,350,000 8,123,400 9,685,300 4.300,000 6,906 500 7,925,000 8,033,100 8,945,900 11,745,200 4,800,000 8,514,200 7,180,200 9,608.000 8,809,200 10,613,800 4,100,000 8,004,600 7,235,000 9,409,300 8,461,900 10,028,100 4,800,000 6,585,500 7,230,600 7,920,000 8,640,700 9,712,400 4,550,000 4,504,300 6,716,600 6,930,000 8,871,100 8,769,800 3,800,000 4,960,500 6,473,500 6,637,900 8,624,700 8,030,200 | 3,600,000 5,037,000 7,663,400 7,195,800 9,228,400 10,597,600 3,680,000 5,837,900 6,883,800 8,125,800 8,542,300 9,902,000 Av. for the year, Note. In January, February, and December, 1854, a great deal of water was wasted, during the excessive cold, to prevent pipes from freezing. During the latter part of May, and nearly all the month of June, a great waste took place through a "blow off" in Roxbury, which was left partly open without the knowl. edge of the Superintendent. Similar observations in relation to the years 1849-53 may be found in the last Annual Report. Compensating Reservoirs. These have been maintained in their usual order during the year. A statement of the amount of water discharged from them, as heretofore made, is not considered important now, since the law suits against the City, connected with these reservoirs and Concord River, have been finally settled. Rain Gauges. The following is the result of observations made by persons in the employment of the Water Board at Lake Cochituate, in Marlborough, and in Hopkinton; and by others, who have kindly furnished statements of their observations, and whose names and residences are mentioned. Month. Monthly Fall of Rain in Inches, in 1854. Until about the middle of October, nothing unusual in this respect was known. Occasionally, persons living in courts, or other places where the circulation is imperfect, complained that the men employed in "blowing off" did not get round. often enough; while in one instance, at least, the blowing off was considered a nuisance. Towards the latter part of October, complaints of bad water, pronounced by many to have a fishy taste, became very general. The usual remedy for getting rid of fish, when known to be in the pipes, was resorted to. The large "blow offs" around the City were opened twice; and the pipes in neighborhoods where the water was most complained of flushed out; but, with one exception (near the foot of Summer Street), the complaints. were greater after the flushing than before. This led to an examination of the water at the Lake itself, which was found to possess the precise taste complained of so much in the City. In consequence of this discovery, the attempt to remove the evil in the City by flushing was considered not |