Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York

and fifty-four dollars and thirty-three cents ($34,954.33.) In the above sum is included eight thousand three hundred dollars ($8,300), for bonds and mortgages canceled.

The disbursements during the past year have amounted, in the aggregate, to thirty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine dollars and forty-four cents ($34,769.44), including five thousand dollars reinvested in bonds and mortgages, and thirty-three hundred dollars ($3,300) in United States Government bonds. This amount is a portion received for bonds and mortgages canceled, leaving a balance in the Butchers' and Drovers' Bank, to the credit of the Department, of one hundred and eighty-four dollars and eighty-nine cents ($184.89.)

The permanent Fund remains the same as the last report, namely, ninety-seven thousand two hundred and fifty dollars ($97,250), invested as follows: ninety-three thousand seven hundred dollars ($93,700) in bonds and mortgages; thirty-three hundred dollars ($3,300) in United States Government bonds; and two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) in Manhattan Bank Stock.

We would be derelict in our duty were we to remain silent in regard to the valuable services rendered by the financial officer of the Fund, who is ever on the alert to preserve intact the great trust confided to his care, as well as affording your Trustees with the aid of his long and experienced information in relation to the financial affairs of the Department.

In returning thanks to those who have assisted us in our charitable work, we have to acknowledge the sum of twenty-seven hundred and ninety-two dollars and thirty cents ($2,792.30), being the net proceeds of the Thirty-second Annual Firemen's Ball. In connection with the efforts of the gentlemen who have from time to time comprised the Firemen's Ball Committee, it is due to them, that, through their exertions for the past thirty-two years, they have paid to the Treasurer, in aid of the Fire Department Fund, the net sum of seventy-four thousand two hundred and ninety-three dollars and eighty-eight cents ($74,293.88.)

To the honorable Common Council we have to acknowledge the receipt of the usual annual donation of two thousand dollars.

To the proprietors of the New York Herald and Sun we are indebted for the whole amount of their respective bills for printing; and from George C. Genet, Esq., Attorney to the Corporation, the sum of three hundred dollars ($300), paid to the Treasurer for penalties collected for violations of the Hoistway Ordinance.

The Special Committee to solicit donations are ever engaged in seeking resources to sustain the Fund, and at a suitable time will call on the patrons of the Department.

Your Trustees are pleased to report to you that the Court of Appeals have reaffirmed their former decision in favor of the constitutionality of the Foreign Insurance Laws. You will perceive, by the report of the Treasurer, the receipt of four thousand dollars, being the amount due for some years prior to the time of testing the legality of said laws.

The income derived from this source, although not amounting to as much as previous years, is at present one of our principal sources of

revenue.

The Committee on Fuel have distributed coal, amounting in all, as per report of the Treasurer, to fourteen hundred and eighty dollars and two cents ($1,480.02).

The Committee on Schools have distributed 1,405 pairs of shoes to the various recipients of the Department. The vacancies in the New York University still exist. It is hoped that, for the credit of the Department, they will be speedily filled. Any information relative to admission of pupils will be furnished by the School Committee.

The Committee have made the usual contracts for the present season. At the time when your officers are looking for new sources of revenue to sustain the Fund, it is gratifying to know that your Honorable Body took the initiatory step in aiding them in their endeavors. The amendments of the By-Laws of the Board of Representatives, whereby the initiation fee has been increased, has been, and no doubt will be, beneficial to the Department, as well as in a financial sense.

The expenses of the meetings of the Representatives, which were formerly paid from the Fund, are now defrayed by the Representatives from an assessment on each Representative.

Frequent complaints have been made in regard to the delay of obtaining Certificates of Membership; it is due to exonerate the Treasurer and Chief Engineer from all blame. The subject has been referred to a Committee of the Trustees, who will endeavor to remedy the same for the future. In addition to the various duties devolving on the Trustees, they were selected by the Union Defense Committee for the special duty of furnishing relief cards to the families of active and exempt members of the Department who enlisted in the volunteer regiments from this city. Although Committees were appointed for every Ward in this city, nevertheless the exception was made in favor of the Department, to attend to their own applicants; a compliment fully appreciated by your Trustees, as evidence of the claims of the Department, and the confidence entertained by our citizens.

It has been our duty, on previous occasions, to call to the attention of our brethren in the active ranks of the Department, that the prosperity of the Fund depended on the estimation in which the volunteer Department was held by our citizens. At the present age, when changes and innovations on long-established customs are so prevalent, how necessary it is to keep the Department in a position whereby it can escape from this rule. That the present system can be sustained, there can be no doubt, provided that each and every member of the Department will conduct themselves, and each constitute himself a guardian of the fair fame of the Department. If this is accomplished, little fear have we to anticipate for the future.

The term of service of Messrs. James Y. Watkins, Samuel B. Thomson, and Robert McGinnis expire at the annual meeting; it will be necessary to elect three Trustees, for three years each. All of which is respectfully submitted.

By order of the Board of Trustees.

GEORGE F. NESBITT, Secretary.

HENRY A. BURR, President.

New York, December 2, 1861.

SCHEDULE,

Showing the Number of Fires and Alarms in each District, and amount of Loss from June 1st, 1860, to May 31st, 1861,

inclusive.

FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH FIFTH

SIXTH SEVENTH EIGHTH