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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent etre filmSs d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque Ie document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant Ie nombre d'images n^cessaire. Le;> diagrammes suivants iilustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 'q\^<9\^)(9\^)(q\^)(9^ ^^ <^® •^S?^ >4»^ . •« 'jS CITY OF HALIFAX. 0-- en § , Q 5 ^'- F^ / THE ]V[^y©i^'5 ^©i^zss AND GrENERAL Review qf Sffairs 0F THE 6ITY GreVERNMENT. 1885. HALIFAX, N. S.: WM. MACNAB, PRINTER. 12 PRINCE STREET, 1885. f^'^^''^^j!^i/*^f^i/f^^^,/f^f^''^^ / Bag=saiMa=«aaaaaiaiFFy r « »i T . un g^aa \.,}:J ^■Kl i\i\[{}{nmc College fl'ilivari) JOHN JAMES STEWART COLLECTION CITY OF HALIFAX, O . J^. S ' c ■, J £**-'•*»■ ^'Z' fS THE ]V[^y©]:^'S ^9^Z55 AND Qeneral Review 0f 9fpairs 0P THE eiTY (JeVERNMENT. \ i 1885, HALIFAX, N. S.: VVM. MACNAB, PRINTER. 12 PRINCE STREET, 1885. J / i«&Oti£K smsM ^ (3^e>f -^ "joJjL, /"i/^t THE MAYOR'S ADDEESS. To the members of the City Council: Gentlemen, — In fulfilment of the promise, when occupying the Mayor's chair on the first day of the current civic year, to make a general statement of the affairs of the Corporation, in connec- tion with the annual reports of the various departments and committees, I would now apply myself to the duty. Though the members of the present City Council, and those who have served as mayors and aldermen in the past, may be fully cog- nizant of the various details of civic policy, the great body of the citizens, to whom the annual corporation reports are always interesting, are not so familiar with the inner history and workings of the several departments, nor of the amount of labor involved in keeping the complex machinery in motion, and making it do its work, in ensuring the comfort, conven- ience and protection of the citizens. We may consider this occasion as a new staiiing-point, and, in consequence will, to some extent, review the past, contrast it with the present, and, on the changed aspect of the present, will build hopes for the future. I trust no remark I may make will be construed into a reflection on our predecessors, who have for so many years conducted the afi*airs of this cor- poration with fidelity and ability. To our view, the laws under which they worked were defective, but these defects did not reveal themselves so unmistakably until within recent years, when under the strain of adverse circumstances, all that was imperfect, weak and unworkable became so apparent that a total change in some of the laws governing the city was rendered inevitable. ^ A. <*> mayor's address. Over eight years have elapsed since Mayor Richey — our present esteemed Lieutenant-Governor — submitted to the City CJouncil the last formal address on the affairs of the City of Halifax. That comprehensive document dealt extensively with the many evils then afflicting the body corporate, — evils under which several successive councils had been embarassed in endeavouriug to carry on the business of the corporation. A glance at the position of affairs existing at the time, as portrayed by the mayor's address and the reports of the Audi« tor, will enable those who are now charged with tho duty of conducting the affairs of the city to compare 1875-6 with 1885- G, just to show the effects of the then much-needed and now happily-effected improved legislation. The first incongruity pointed out by Mayor Richey was the election of a mayor and six aldermen in October, "in the mid- " die of a financial year which began in May," "a period for " which the estimates have been framed, the assessment levied, " the money is supposed to have been collected, and the great- " er part of it available for some important services, whether " collected or not, pretty sure to have been expended. " If, then, the members of the Council, who enter it fresh "from the body of citizens, come Jiarged with the perform- ance of any special work, or the Council finds itself pressed upon by the exigencies of some particular department, it is driven to what has been the inevitable resort of the past, and will continue to be under the present condition— the resort of all future Councils, anticipation of what is called the next year's estimates— that is to say, we must either fold our hands in quiesence, and leave work undone for seven months of our term, or we must go on with needed work, incurring the risk and odium of a perpetual overdraw." Another disadvantage of our present procedure is found in the fact that the time of preparing the estimate is usually MAYORS ADDRESS. ▼u oy— our tho City City of 'n.siveJy porate, ' been of the me, as Audi, uty of > with J and as the ! raid- ed for evied, ?reat- ether fresh orra- issed it is 3ast, -the lied fold ven .rk, w." in "y " that at which a revision of our pecuniary obligations " and any modification of our arran^'cment with officials is " likely to bo most naturally weighed, and made the subject " of action by the City Council. But inasmuch as the official " year terminates in October, arrangements proposed in May " cannot be carried into effect until then ; and when October " arrives, it is more than likely that the new Council will " refuse to be guided by what was done in May. " But the anamolies of our system would not be wholly " removed. The impossibility of making a complete state- " ment at the end of either your civic or financial year, would " still remain." The mayor then entered into a severe arraignment of the system of assessment — taking exception to the time of collection, the subject and the mode. The assessment of ten-* ant instead of landlord was condemned, and the various anomalies of rating personality pointed out. Other important questions — su' h as the loss in collection, involving an ever- increasing floating debt, culminating in a funded debt ; the need of "sinking funds" to eventually decrease the funded debt, with a commission to manage the same ; the keepin'^ of proper books of account ; concurrence of time in making up accounts, and in the rendering of reports by the various departments, were pressed upon the attention of the Council. In the annual report of the same year (1876-77), a state- ment prepared by special auditors — Messrs. Wm. Taylor and W. H. Hart — showed a floating debt or unfunded liability of $109,914, with nominal assets of doubtful value partially oflf- setting this large deficiency. — A statement of unpaid water rates for six years (1871 to 1877), showed $56,676 outstanding — most of which remains uncollected to this day. Year after year the City Auditor pointed out to successive councils that the position was becoming alarming, the floating debt was growing larger and larger, smaller proportions of the VllJ mayor's address. several years assessments were being collected ; and had it not been that the monies collected for the School Commissioners, for poor and county rates, also sinking fund monies, loans to pay oft' maturing debentures, sewerage ann retrench id yet the by a body to supply citizens of ) the yearly Dunt avail- iSed — as an the gross 7,579, the and short w^as $244,- ihe balance non-collec- i $227,579 '83. f the past $ 244,532 268,919 $ 24,387 MAYOR S ADDRESS. xm Let us examine the cause of this, taking the co: .iparative tables of estimates for those years, to which for information add that of 1875-76, Salaries Police Fire Department do. extras. City Prison Streets, etc Citj' Property Interest, etc Allowance Lighting Streets County Poor Asylum, Hospital, School Board Industrial School, etc... Sanitary Park, Garden, Librarj'., Exhibition Gas, Fuel, Printing , Contingent, etc 1875-76 5 21,306 24,823 7,932 1881-'82. S 18,950 21,976 7,300 8,918 27,133 4,01*5 33,184 4,000 9,933 19,784 io,r.(i8 66,139 900 3,io6 "s'.'m 3,838 6.400 25,000 3,000 48,084 21,849 9,000 1 7,570 14,000 64,820 780 400 4.200 3,000 1,800 4,103 1886-'86. S 23,074 22,576 9,t!85 3,550 4.900 28,800 5,970 42,880 12,806 9.784 23,979 22,000 67,700 1,940 300 4,200 "' 1,800 3,901 Decrease. I. Tease. S 4,124 600 2,386 3,550 1,509 3,800 2,970 5,198 9,048 784 6,409 8,000 2,880 1,160 100 3,000 202 S 248,022 Income 23,400 $ 272,232 S 289,851 27,700 20,932 S 19,043 $30,662 9 224,622 $ 244,632 S 268,919 The salary and allowances of the collector of taxes, accounts for the $4000 increase in salaries ; $600 additional for police is for the protection of the suburbs, formerly without any police supervision ; fire department increase, $2,385, is for horses, now owned by the city and which do street work as well as fire haulage ; $3,550 is partly for hose, etc., to replace apparatus lost and injured at fires; Streets and internal health, $3,800, is mainly for cleaning and sanitary purposes ; indispensable repairs to Exhibition building and engine-houses take the increase of $2,970. Increase of $784 lighting streets, is principally for oil lamps in suburbs ; and $1,160 for Indus- trial School, Dalhousie College, Blind and Deaf and Dumb scholars was placed upon the estimates by the Legislature. Not one dollar of the foregoing could have been avoided ; where the increase was not to satisfy demands of the citizens or to save public property, it was the result of unsought Legis- lative assessments. But these increases can be ofTsetted by decreases in the shape of savings of $1,500 in City Priso XIV mayor's address. «i / expenditure, $5,198 interest and $9,043 less allowance t'oi short payment of rates (results of Act. of 1883) and $302 in sun- dries, a total of $16,043, so that the net increase for city services proper is only $3,330, or leaving out the special for fire department, which belongs to 1883, the increased assess- ment for city purposes is about offsetted by savings. But during those four years the amount required by the Board of Couanissioners of Public Schools has increased from $64,820 to $67,700, or $2,880. In the same period the County of Halifax estimates have risen from $17,570 to $23,979, or $6,409, and the Board of Public Charities from $14,000 to $22,000, or $8,000 increase. These three " allied services" over which the City Council has practically no control, call on the city taxpayers for $17,289 more than they demanded in 1881-'82, or a sum nearly equal to the total increase of city expenditure over that year and three-fourths of the whole increase of assessmont during the past four years. Decrease of income in rents of city property, fines and licenses, and the Dry Dock forfeit of $2,000, make up the lessened income of $6,800 ; so that if the City Income had not fallen off and the School Board, Charity Board and County made no increased demand, the assessment of 1885-86 would have been the same as that for 1881-82, viz., $244,000, and the rate of taxation would not have exceeded 1^ p. c. Repeating the figures for the two periods, they stand thus : — lucrease iu expenditure of city services $ 19373 00 Decrease I9043 00 Net increase $ 330 00 Add School Commissioners' increase $ 2880 00 County of Halifax increase *..'..'.'" 6409 00 Board of Charities 8000 00 8 17289 00 Gross increase 8 17619 00 Decrease of income 6768 00 Assessment of 1885-6 -rate 81.23. ^slSlfw ^'^'^ ^ 1881-2- « 1.51 244532 00 _. , ,. » 24387 00 been^$T.12?''^*^^® ^""^"^ ^'°°' Assessment of 1885-6, the rate would have II mayor's address. XV ^e f'oi short 5<^2 in sun- p for city fpecial for ped assess- ed by the [ased from '6 County S23,979, ^14,000 to ices" over , call on anded in !e of city te whole decrease , and the ncome of ' and the ncreased the same taxation ^ stand 19373 00 19043 00 330 00 7289 00 7619 00 676'8 00 1387 00 387 00 d have ' These figures should effectually dispose of the charges of extravagance made by some citizens against the present City Council. If it is possible to dispense with any of the services in the table of estimates, or even to reduce them, it ought to be done, but an examination of the items in connection with the services themselves will reveal the possibilities. Most of the salaries are fixed by law, and can only be changed by Act of the Legislature. A scaling of ten per cent, was tried for a "few years, on such as could be reduced, but after a trial the amounts had to be restored, as the officials could not live on the reduced salaries, and the public interests were suffering- No reduction is possible in police expenditure, — there are not enough men now on the force to do their work thoroughly, and as most of them are married with families dependent on them, their present pay is barely enough to keep them above want. Citizens — and especially underwriters, who now con- tribute largely to the civic revenue — will not be satisfied with any attempts at decrease in the fire department ; on the contrarv, its increased effectiveness is demanded. Some humane persons complain of the rigid economy, in food and •clothing, practiced at the City Prison, the cost of which last year was less than half the cost during 1879-80, and a large decrease on more recent years. Street expenditure is now under the amount required by law. Internal health service cannot be lessened except at great risk to the comfort and health of the community, and any threatened outbreak of an epidemic would involve a large outlay of money as a precau- tionary measure. City property must be kept in order ; the Exhibition building and Engine houses are actually suffering for needed repairs, and the City building is not habitable for want of a thorough overhauling. Few citizens will agree in the assertion that too many gas and oil lamps are lighted, or that they are lighted too many nights in the month. A few thousand dollars might be saved by closing the Park, the Public Gardens and the City Library, or by shutting down on the Dispensary and the Infants' Home ; but unless these can XVI mayor's addeess. ^ lopped off or the ■■nni.j ^ ' — demands, ,„y d,„,,,^ ff^ X""'"" ""' ''^''"ce «,.. unsolved pr„Me„, Twe ve v! ^' """"''' ^^t"""'"' « the City Council power toi'' T "" ^^g«'»'^.e L Streets. City Prison, W;ter o,K 1 ""P"'"'^"*. %htii Repairs of City Propertv M t "" ^'■<"» "'«'«■ worfe Street Cleaning Sar,%!:l^/"^ >'"^'' °' «'-^' S-ndry Loans, &c„ &c. S nc!;!, ' ^"'"""^'■y. interest „. have been fastened on the " t it^''?™' "^" expenditure '« deplete the $100,000. ^ ^^ '^' I-egislature and mad' ■ament, but our "allied^ vt" "rn"' f •''^"''" '"^' '^ ^^■ f°5 what they require, the on Iv fo rf "" ""^ ^"^ Council ""' "^ in the ease of the Sehl "p '^ '' ^^ 8»^ 'h^ough Sr,l:' *^ «"ve,.no,. t Cou! .f°r'' '"'"* "''''"•»' ' » »««.000. While o„.. $100000 a,l f\ ""^ »™°™' "^« poses ,„ the last ten year, h!! °"'"^ ""^ '"'^ for city pur- tT :' '^^ S^horinrCWit't' ■""'' '° '^'^^•««« * Hal.fa. has risen to $11^000 '^ "^"^^ ""'' bounty of In 1 S'tp iu "what „ay b! calKi' Ir'^"'''''^ "--"^ *» ">e Council- 'S '^'"^ ^'»="'- Po t f"7 ^^P»-« of the city :t i^ Wei": '^'^ ''^ '^' '0 ftooo Ta TT™^"'' "-^ Portion of »h ^ "'*°"'"' '° hear the ",,!! "^ "'"^''^ *his amount expindit " "*"^^' ™ old „: r^r.^'T^ "p"- ■*■ «™ partm f rt' ""<'^' 'he headin/of "', '"^.^''''fore, the various Partment, Qty Prf^on, Qas and^Q Z"'""^^' ^0"-=^. ^ire De- to be kept up to their preslf "P"' ^"'^ ^ forth are ^<^ i« apparent, therefore th«f , ^ore. that as the $100 onn *Auu,ooO was barely 1^' \ ' ^^ mayor's address. XVll /•educe t],eir i^^oates is 3j f"*' %htiDg ■vater works, ; ^f Streets,' . Interest on Npenditures ^"tl made ^ upon the *ct of Par. 'ty Council ^e through t>tains the 3unt over city pur- ;5.000, the 'Ounty of Councii; citjr are portion amount it, one various re De- th, are draws plain iring ^rely sufficient ten years ago to carry on imperative services, that now, with a larger population, increased area, greater wants, more pressing responsibilities, we cannot further reduce the amount without involving far greater loss than any small saving which could be made would offset, and as the special assessments for Schools, County, Charities, Interest, &c., imposed by acts of the Legislature, cannot be reduced by the City Council except to the extent of S4,700 for Paik, Gardens and Library, the seeming difficulties in the way of a reduction in civic expenditures can be readily seen. Anj'^ appreciable decrease can come only from the School Board, Charity Board and County Council. If the Fire Department requires new hose, or a steam fire engine needs extensive repairs, these must be provided and some other city service forced to submit to rj, corresponding reduction. The small amount voted for contingent account, depleted by the annual donations to the Dispensary and Infants' Home, is not enough to provide decently for the smaller services dependent on the appropria- tion for their support. Such grants as were formerly given for celebiation of our natal day, aid to special charities, enter- tainments to distinguished visitors, tSjc, are things of the past and are not now considered. We are pursuing the most rigid economy even to the verge of parsimony. The most the citizens can expect from this and successive Councils is to make the best possible disposition of the ^100,000 now at their command until some of the services inadequately provided for shall become so inefficiently per- formed, by reason of cramped financial support, that the rate payers will be reconciled to an increase of the amount to ensure their own safety and comfort. Despite assertions to the contrary, Halifax is one of the lowest taxed cities on this continent. The citizens get more value for their money than in any city I know of, and when reference is made to the annual returns of other cities in Canada and the United States, the truth of these assertions ■ibiiti^ •"^viii _«^''°«'« AOMESS. ^""*' States ! * ^''^ *''■»'» n to 9 ^"'' '""'■. '"ost oil '"^"■. service. „ ^ '° ''omplain „f If ° ^ I'ef cent V, intn ^'P'^'^ion in h, "'"•' ^^^an an L '^ ^" P^J'- into vvhiVh u • ^Usi]je«i« k ^ ^^ ^"crea«!nrJ / "^ P, ^^y '"^ans as in ^^^"«e 87 of f, '"conv,.,,; ""«s, ha, )>. ,'^*-'^"'<"it not ™ °* another Went of t^ ^P"''*'^'' six m„ .^ ""«' as the „ . ' «<"i"iate8. *ion of tl, "'"'"^ of aJr^*"""'to exnen -f '*'"^ from the '*^ "S:^;?-' 'a. t>: deb, Ce^r ""'^ ''^'^ ^Ith more ariia or ^ess ment reo-i pay t/i wiij. eiji. and the "xii, as o — uiarity. * "^^^ter of i' o' I""'- 0" ,, '"■"■"'ion h, r ''""•■" ore , r ""»' the '^a«« as in ^^'^^rig the 'ed for fQ '^t'es awd ^0 nieefc sJsiatjon ti/iiafcea ^or city ^ed by n tiie iti'a- ntii the of mayor's address. XIX The only method by which those applications can be obvia- ted is to allow the City Council to approach the Oovernor-in- Council and obtain permission to borrow money and add the amount to the following years taxation — and yet if the obtaining of money to meet " overdraws" becomes easy, will it not offer a premium for exti'avagant expenditure ? So of two evils let us choose the least, even though it be annoying and troublesome to the city authorities and irritating to citizens. But the citizens who rebel against so-called "borrowing bills" should understand that the bringing of this class of bills before the Legislature for enactment is a vastly better and safer method of treatingwhat is seemingly inevitable, than by paying them quietly, and thus rolling up a floating debt to be met by our successors. A general balance sheet of the affairs of the Corporation should be made showing its assets and liabilities. Such a statement, though it might involve some trouble and labor, would be of great service in showing our approximate finan- cial position as a corporate body, and would no doubt have a beneficial effect on the credit of the city. As elsewhere stated, the debt of the city is probably covered by assets in real and personal property, permanent improvements, franchises, etc., and these with their estimated values should be plainly stated for the information of the citizens, especially those interested in the -financial strength of the Corporation. Attention is called to the following table of population, taxes, rate of assessment, also of debt and valuation of the lead- ing cities of the United States and Canada. From this table it can be readily seen that Halifax is one of the lowest taxed cities on the continent, has the smallest proportionate public debt and in other respects is favorably placed amongst its contemporaries. XX "^TOR's j,oi,„^ 'I Boston ^"Pulation. _, Provide* '•'"•708 *f'ffO Toronto. ''<>m ''!^!-0^« Quebec 105,211 , '^^f •'' Hamilton' ^"-OW 2^ Haiifax 2fi,i27 f«»'0«0 Ottawa ^0.000 "^'O^O Montreal '"'"^ Toronto '" «7,^^*- Quebec •••.. •••^^^'^39762 ^'innipe. ' -. f'593,205 Ottawa ""* ^'^^9.090 Halifax" "• 2,098,506 St.Joh„' ^'^^VJ84> Hamilton"" " ^'^^0,QiO ••• • 2,811,8,.^ CITIES. Rate. 20.S2 iH.oO 34.10 16.88 20.50 14.50 12.00 17.00 0.40 18.50 12.00 12.30 19.35 CITIES. Valuation. ^88,908,728 '73,721,5.57 ^3.250,000 ^IS7 1,000 ^1.100,000 21,211,000 ^1078,200 19.440,548 ^rr~— -^L_^^^ ^^ty Funded n u ^«t»nated. ^ __ "''®« -Debt, as qK -^:__^^wn by the f mayor's address. XXI ,908,T28 '■^0,000 ^0,000 looo ,200 548 Annual Report of 1880-81, exclusive of Water and School Debentures, stood at $585,253.26, made up as follows : Buildiji^r on Maiket Slip, N. S. Cy. . $8,000 Side-walk Debentures 48,000 Old Funded Debt 24,000 Poor Asylum and Hospital 30,000 Lockman Street Extension 132,000 Central Enn^ine House 11,000 $253,000 D.C., $240,253 26 Enrrine House, Gerrish Street, Dom. Cy 12,000 00 Repairs City Property 5,000 00 Old Street Loan 35,000 00 Fire Alarm Telegraph 8,000 00 Sewerage Loans . . : 110,000 00 Extension Queen Street 5,000 00 Hospital for Contagious Dieseases 10,000 00 Public Gardens 15.000 00 Poor Asylum and Hospital (additional) 2,500 00 New Funded D. ot 44,000 00 Exhibition Buildings 20,000 00 Rockhoad Prison 36,500 00 Provincial Hospital 36,000 00 D.C. $585,253 26 With the exception of $68,000 borrowed mainly to replace some sinking funds for the payment of debentures due on the Market House and Market Slip Buildings. H will be seen* that the city had value for the above in acknowledged improvements. In addition to the total above mentioned, the City owed on 1st May, 1881, for Water Supply $740,973.33, and for XXll mayor's address. Public Schools $165,718,03, making the whole liability $1,491,946.22. Since Ist May, 1882, the civic debt has been increascl as follows : By Special Act 10th March, 1882, to pay certain obligations t , Comin'rs Public Schools, Board of Public Charities and Halifax Banking Co $ 100,000 00 To provide additional buildings on Exhibition grounds 6,000 00 To finish North Common Sewer 12,000 00 To meet deficiencies in collecting City and Water Rates 45,000 00 Fire Engine House at Islesville 2,000 00 To pay an old balance due Comm'rs of Schools . 9,800 00 Improvement of Richmond Park 2,000 00 Grand Parade 5,000 00 Fencing Public Gardens 1,.500 00 Extension of Water Service 13,000 00 % 196,300 00 Deducting Market Slip debentures paid off and making •allowance for some discrepancies in the conversion of a large part of our old funded debt into consolidated stock and Dominion currency, the whole civic deljt now stands as follows : ^ General Civic Debt % 774,227 97 Debentures for Water Supply 740,973 33 Public Schools 165,718 63 % 1,680,919 93 The interest for the above, payable half yearly, is for the tl TrtAYOn'S ABT3UKS8. xxiu le liability ncrease'l as 100,000 00 G.OOO 00 12,000 00 45,000 00 2,000 00 9,800 00 2,000 00 5,000 00 1,500 00 13,000 00 196,300 00 id making 1 of a large stock and stands as !27 97 73 33 18 63 19 93 , is for the |43,««8,i.:i but a» -.1 '2' c tv Co orwlatcl StoeK tho Water have boon inclu.lea m the C tv Co ^^^ j.,.,„„o J, p. c, 0.- »1.6S« "';"'; extent. The into, est ,ay- acoount of the city -"»«'"; ';'';, i„eh>cle.l in thoir o.ti- able on Sehool ^^f^^^J^ daiu, upon the eity. All „ato and Sonn, pavt ol ^^u '^n^ „f tho water ckhon- the.chooiaebonturesan,Ul.« » J ^^^ ^^j^_„,,,j ^,,1 tures boar G p. - ""^^ " wvtor and school .loV.ts are maturity. When the -'Yl'-'^^-'\ ,,,„„« be SSi.OOO, or consolhlated the interest at . p. ^^^^^ ^ ^^^ ;„, ^e «,0.()00 less than at P'^" • ^ f^^; „,, j,u .n.l interest have o£ the debt. As the r?*"";'^*^; 1,, ^, advisable to have the «s«ltea in large prenuum »..'<' lo borrow at a Consolidatea Act ■'-f;^';;";,, ,e obtainable. ,,telessthan5p.c...«a.o. ,3, 0„t of the whole ^^^^^^^^^^ l^biUae. -nostly $222,800 represents the tun ^^^^ ,^^^„„^ ^ i,,i the result of taxes lost toi sove i .^.^^ge allowed This large amount is m a, d - ^ J ^^ ,„ ,, p,,, eent, ..o,nyeartoyear,ran,,ng..o, 1 ^^^^ By the list of <=i'yP™Pf;2t to a considerable extent and the Corporation -vn"^^l -'^^ ^^ g2-22.800 has been added value, and though so la go a su ^^ ^ ,_^^^,,^ .^^ ^ ,e ,„ the funded -1*^-*"^ " y n,ay be considered to bo „Kolo d"^-*"- jty pen-nont improvement and by real more than covered b> pe and personal property. VALUATIONS. „i +nWp of valuations of on page 160 wiU be ^-t^trltflB-.O, in which year ,eal and personal P-Pf ^f ^^tions. From 1S62, when the the totd valuation was 10, mu *»«»«*.«• XXIV ^lAYOR's ADDRESS. i M aggregate was twelvp ,»•],• ~~ " -~^ «^« and oL h ^^ ^'."^ ""'"•^■'^ wa. cm-,„Vr ""^ P™'«^ takaWy 1 ^""•« <'^P'-'^ion in ,el ' 1 Z *'*'■'"'«'»"« '" the yearit T"" ''"'''''o^ion i„ ' ' 'l """'"^■'"^ ""»!■■ se'ved only t„ .1 valuations fo,- o./ P'C'Jable, ^ ., "".Y to show fli^f . ' assessrnpnf «.. ""^ >>"=ans and ,„„,';,'" * 'a-lical change was "! "^ ''" tr • r -'" "4r tr?"^ «-: ?::: '""'^ *>• enf r:"^' "-e total w^",',?^' ''-P''^ s„„e ''^"i'aWe.th ; ^''T'-''^ «■« hr," *^' ""^ valuation, '"™'>'«aeo„.e ;l ■ "'^ " '"'"etion ! ! '" «"?« valued r?''^"»- "' - :;r;"-" of moniix; r - 'on, as ti. ^•"^ Court of Ann , " '"o'' Pereentl '"""n' levied. ^0"'Me« hi,„rJr' '" "P™ '' each ?,.'■*'* ""'' ^''^ ve.sa. T'''''^^s2^'?''''^f'^^Ctt 'T'""' of this '^'^« ovo. „,,:;^^"P' Jn^tiee. „ ^j^;^ ' ««« who are content T"- *« fan t i ,^°."°' "vai, tht„lT *''" eonside,- the™, "•"ain the re, ""' own ; if ..'""■'olvos of their ri„ht of ^'•■^^ ar:,tt^^a;/f„^-;>*o<.o appeal iFo'l yi »e™b„; ,* Jn%.no„t of hLf ?"" ^''""■'"=» "-u. P"^'"' «i* other ife! ^"P*'"' Court ;,;t^'"'-^'o- and of the «t,2en,. '■ ta.rly assessed as com- MAYORS ADDRESS. XXV "■ ^'^^^^ He,; ''"^'^ personal '"^ Pt"po.ses ■ f^^'^^SS.in Pornied one 1° ^aiuations '' ^c., about '^- mile ^'aiuafcions ^consider ^"■^ va/ued ^S as t/,e levied, 'e ve/-,sa. Rn vv/io antenfc :bt of 3 not the The theory of Halifax City assessment is, taxation of real estate (subject to exemptions) at its actual value, taxation of visible personalty (also subject to exemption) as far as it is seen, and of invisible personalty so far as the assessors can surmise, at their value, supplementing the surmises by such outside information as can be obtained. Banks are assessed on real estate as private citizens and in addition they are charged f of one per cent, on paid up capital, minus assessed value of real estate. Fire and marine insurance companies, associations and agencies pay on real estate and personal property as citizens, and in addition pay a license fee of S200 each. Life insurance companies the same as fire and marine insuiance companies, but with a license fee of $50. Other oompanies by Act of 1883 paid the city rate on real estate and personalty, and a license fee of $100, but last session of the Legislature an amendment was introduced and carried limiting the aggregate tax of general companies to one per cent, of their paid up capital. If all the personalty that now escapes taxation was found, and with the long list of exemptions as per section 18 of the Act of 1883 (which is almost a literal copy of a similar clause in the old Act) placed on the assessors' books, the valuation of real and personal property in the city would be increased by at least twenty-five per cent. In some cities the exemp- tions have become so burdensome by reason of throwing heavy rates on the general body of citizens, that a clamorous demand is being raised for the abolition of all exemptions. The general body of taxpayers in Halifax now pay, in addi- tion to their own taxes, those of the Imperial, Dominion and Local Governments, and contribute to the general fund the taxes of the churches, charitable institutions and various other public bodies. And yet, he would be a bold man who would propose to place those interests on the tax books of the city. Under the law which allows assessment on properties for school rates to be levied for the benefit of the locality in ^nu "/j; ■// _^*"'>«'« ^f«B.SS. ^'flounf „p ^^^JOn of the. P after P°°^-^. etc, j;'""n "'« city" '"«■« '<> the as« ^^"alit; ' ; """-d are ;,""=• ^ dut/"^"""-"- Good, ,„ '?f ■"^' - tV' ^ ^'-^ r,- '"'^ ^--^ vvS: '"'''' °' " "'^ *ay?r ^W'-on. ^/^^ ».,cj, ^f 1 , ''~™^" »f T.r . * '"'r v»l„ , '""e W a d" ^<' inch "« ">o H ' ^''tes ,ve« k " '"'» * -p;^;t, t «- 1" ^'-" >Z''z '. -c :t -rr "' ^"Pply n*" '"•<'l,.!. "'"•'■fele,;, " H'X. s .""''' pipe Of eve ',> miHF^'^S^'viee. *°»' of ^; j^ ". 'ie ouadej "■ ".e e,- ;« ^"v. ;:;j s«/C tr,"- v.,,t ;:,"« "-^ '"" a"d elm I hs. mayor's address. XXlX [1 of 'n:T ^V ate ^k '^'' s "•'•? J "''^J'. A \in ig.^, ^ ^% '"S-^^^ /mo ^^^'''/^■ts of '^^ pipe ' ^'^^ t/2e madel « "'"to.- pipes bv : f "P-^'-^ted in the „?"%"";' »•'"«'> I'ove been ",„«,.. ' '"<='-^'«o the deliie,." Z"'^'; °°""""'^^' »l«^'»"8 will la,.. Department. ^ *"''"''■ «"'' be a great aid to ti.et. ^^^ *a'or direct fro^ Jon T?"''"''"PP'^''>'»'"'«^'I'"^ ^rtn>g the shores o thtn 'i °' '''"^'""S *» P""«'^ f°"^;'«ins them into , 1 '"" ''''^^'' '"'^'''S tl'o" and th? '"« "'^i'' capacity and t /':^'='-™"-^ -'"> " view to inc.* ^ na puutynig the water. *■ stringent nie tTJ" ."'""■^"nd., ,7",:!,': ""^ '"ken to .stop the waste goi,, «"°"gl.out the city. """"'■ ^'-W^«. «l>op.s, factories, fe, About n- STREETS. ^-^'i?'-^- -' -rr'''^ -' '- „po„ the averal' f?'^^'»' '-bor a .1'°'^.' ™»^ '» 'he e.,tin,ates this "« XrL. "' *"« P- .n el™' '^ ""'^ «7,000, or an ""te Cst ^'"'""'' " M0 expen.f, , , "'" P'«"»">' vear, '^'"■"W ,«,""\'" keeping the .C"*^ '^Ported that it was ^."''^""g tl at ""'y-'J a law h n " ''^P""- «"> 'O'^' "'an ^'''""'Vof that fi , ^''""'■''"'"'■e «S, '^P™'"'^'' °»«'^ "' ««d s„,n, faikj"^'^ ' P^'^'^od the law for to show where the addi- 1 h^& 'S. JnJ '^''''^ of . r^^ 6^.. ^'P'^ by c/e ^ee/j •So ,''//,- ^Il> .^' '^'' an ^ that 'as c MAYOR*S ADDRESS. xxxni tional money was to come from ; the law. like some similar ones, has been quietly and of necessity ignored. During" the real estate " boom " of fifteen or twenty years ago, a number of fields on the outskirts of the city were cut up into build- ing lots, and streets were laid out to suit speculators. Many of those streets began and ended no-where. Many of them made no connections with existing streets, and some of them were mere lanes or alleys. Houses were built in out-of-the- way localities, away from water, sewers and street lights. The owners of these properties soon clamored for improved streets, paved gutters, sidewalks, sewers, oil or gas lamps, and in due time obtained these improvements, the cost of which reduced the appropriations for the older sections of the city. If the Board of Works had the generous sum of $3G,000, as was expended in 1873, these distant localities could obtain what they need, but with less than half the sum extreme economy has to be exercised. For some years past the City Council has set its face against opening any more new streets, except under special circum- stances, wisely considering that the care and ordering of 90 miles of roadway is as much as the city can afford. De- spite the limited grants of money from year to year the road- beds of our streets are gradually improving. From 30,000 to 50,000 bushels of macadam are annually spread over the street surfaces, gradually hardening and permanently better- ing the roadway. No attempt has yet been made at paving any portion of our streets, owing probably to the fears of excessive first cost, which would no doubt be considerable. It would be advantageous to transport, if a portion of Water Street, say from the Market Wharf to North Street Depot, over which passes the heaviest ti'affic of the city, was paved with granite blocks. The work once done would last for generations. Some of the hills might be paved with cobble stones which make an enduring roadway. The City Council ought seriously to consider the present XXXIV mayor's addrkss. moilc of expeiiflin},' tlie .street monies, viz., by wards. OdI sevrt'ai occasions tlie present system has been challen<,'e(l, biiil action lias been from time to time deferred. For a few years,as| an experiment.thu whole street work nught be left to the control of the City Engineer, and there i.s litthj doubt the result of the trial will be satisfactory. Repairs could be effected when needed, and streets prevented from getting^ into disrepair, Within the past year or two street work has been cominencetl earlier than usual, which is an improvement. In foriiiei years, owing to the disarrangement of the finances, and to the late collection of taxes, rendering payment of labor difficult, for want of ready money, street operations were deferred till such a late ]teriod, that the autumnal lains washed away the earth and gravel, leaving the stones lying loose on the road- way. Even an earlier commencement of work, than at present, might be beneficial as the repairs wouhl be more thoroughly and etlectively done, and the citizens enabled to enjoy the advantages of the improvements during the whole summer and autumn. On looking through the Board of Works reports for several years it can be noted that many impoitant recom- mendations respecting the streets have been adopted and carrietl out, while several equally valuable suggestions have yet to be acted on. The proposal that street cleaning work should be done by small gangs of men traversing the wards regularly and making repairs as needed horn day to day, is a good one, and merits a trial. A wharf propei-ty for the land- ing and storage of street, water, and sewerage materials, is a great necessity, and has been several times suggested. A large iron roller to be drawn by horses or propelled by steam, to go over the newly macadamized streets would save its cost m a few years. Many of the sidewalks in the business part of the city want re^ymg. The surroundings of the Province Building, Post umce, and Government House are very defective, and though |: ._ S'f.',' mayor's adbukss. XXXV wards. OdI llenged, bii! 'ewyears,as| ) tlie control he result of ''ected when! disrepair, commenced In former , and to the )or difficult let'eiTed till d away the 1 the road- k, than at d be more enabled to the whole e ports for :ant recom- lopted and itions have ming work the wards to day, is a r the land- erials, is a gested. A 1 by steam, ive its cost i city want ding, Post md though ■Wat.M- Street, rc(i«"c.» "''''■"'";.,.•„,,, «!,„„ varying rosults. ^{asphalt ana otl.ov paten > -' '^.^^^ ,„„,, ^.-eatly^ fov ■'"'jraveUod wata, -P-- 'y.;"„J.; off the vain-pouv fr™. ^ant of proper <=™^'"^'"'; * y^rlv-iect is being sl>o«-n the ^o„»cs. Bon,o attcnfon tl J^^^_^ ^^^ p„.e,U«tters present season, and a ■" "1"^^ "' connection between Le been lai,l across f '°«">^^^;,X;""„i,ich is a manifest Lse conductors and »f«'=\f f f ,„,„te, „£ iron gutter kT:r;t^:^to:-bea«reatboontociti.ns, ^''"^^"^""■~„,,,„eUn.siae..alUsbas.^ The ordinance agarns obstnu* ^^.^ ^^^ ^^ pretty generally «" °« ■'• J^^^ t,,en the greatest danger of tively free, especially at n ght «1. _^^^^, ^^ ,estr,ct,ons accidents from *f "'=^'°" ' i^.teMvays, eoal holes, awnmgs, ^ith respect to -Har vau ^ 'atch y ^ swinging a-\l'~ ™ iXd'out time and again by the C.ty and shutters, has been P»»f ' ° ^ , ^ ,„ulcted in damages Engineer. As the ^^^^^^ of pr.per regulatioas on .son>e day for neglect of «"«?';'' ;„„ „f the City Counc.l these important 'l^^f -f' *\„tLt in connection with the ,revision ot the ^i^y ^ -nro-ently A» elsewhere -gg«r\ f " tC pla- the Engineer s nefded for the many valuable street pa^ ^^^^ ^^.,;^,, .t lay of money and Uvne. SEWERS. XXX vi »^^OH's AimUESS. vicinity, , .""" '^""'c.thi,,. .let,Z ?,'■"'"' ""™«t- The ,avJ!" '-^ °« of ,„ ™r''. «■><' «,„ „.„„,,, i 'n 1S75 H '"'■•<"" *a'.tof»n,' '"= '"«i.s excel y°T'"'''°"'' "' ««™ tt""'^ sinoe I,;; "'r°n-)ition o;::""«y valuable report I Jf"-' P°'ition :J2 "ot »alci„„ " """^ """'ting sewerage the g*'»°f^e,ver,,i " '"i»ate!y bed -""f '^ 4363 aeres- may r °f 'tone d,' '""''■) »? pub io "°" ''"°»'" *» "^^ «on. a?;t. «-, „?; r^-. -d 4,1 , ;i^-»'^; 10,77 xxxvfi •Jnity." "In ca-n-^ "^ _^ ^ ^^ „,,„„, ^ewors, the ,ec,-ary to ntandon "•**■"'"=. ;,^ ^^ ^ larfje extent, be „„.,„,i„. 12.4* nulos --y. J 'Xv on Wms opened .nd „tiV,..a. P,obaV,ly some "^ ^ . '^^^ ,^ ^ ,^^,^r ".Vs . ,x.n,lnc.l will bo found »""'",„„„,,,, here eonstrneted, ,l,„ald be abolished, the only 1 ^j^.^^,,y „, i,u,.,y .„„..ed being where they c St n a ^^^^^ t,, V, exeven^nt sodden, or Boak ^^^,, ^^,,, ,,„.,.e they are of '-^''"'^J^l^ through then, to be tW y V.avo a -:^f"\C;:f:;:r report of Mr. Koat.ngs cl.iir of deposits. riom ,„,.c pi-operlj our ; e._..Our present --;- ^t^rabo.niiuiblo and abum- .vant of system, is an evil ot he^ ^^ 3^^,^,,, ,„, v„«n in" deseription. Annually «^"^ „ ^5^, t,,in„s known «;andered in bnilding and t-k^n _^ ^^,^ ^^^„^ ,„,,, ,Le by the name ot sew s. Most ^^^^^^^ ^^^^ of the roughest <>«««"?''"";';'„„, t„o feet below the s«r aee. traordinary places. M^ny;'" "° ,„,i everywhere but where Thov are to be found anyw'^'^" "^ f„', th^,,, are under toy ought to be. The usual V^ ^ ^„^ ,,„udings 'Xrs, orbing, -^-alks on .1^ "- ^^^ ^^,,,, they are, heinselves. When want d n^^^ • ^^^^,, ^^j,, ...^ d, - „„,„ss oceasionally some oW in a ^^^._^„^ ,^ ^ charged directly ^^'^ '^^''•^^l ,„,vel, ffltb, and rubbish of placed over them, and so a d » „„„trivanees spec ally lb kinds are daily -^ if , l,„„,ations. Some have adapted to receive and 'f '"/^i.as well as niany othe.. been laid upon a dead level and* . .^ ^^^ ^^,^,^,^y, ,a^l are filled with »-»„-:!i,^^;iate years large si.ed ea t^" lain there for years "' ' ■; j ^^ ,„„e extent. BesKl.s enware pipes have been i»t-^due^; ^^^^^_,^„^ p„,p„,„s Cng eKp!nsive they -? -\ "t^.age. Brick sewers of ^--r niX elltrtS ::iess cost, as has been cleaiW equal area can oe cuu^ xxxviii •"^^•"R'S ADDRESS. ,7'"*' >n tliei,. „,„ ^'"'' an'' .sa,„e p„„„,' "' '° »'> alaniiJ ^"" ^o,Ua,„i,„ '! ''■'^" "ft"' thco r"^ ■■"■' ■"' '"'««»«fe l:;::-^:i;i;--Sc:d J, P'"'' beca,,; fl '^'^'■'eet, „„,i ti '° ^•'W"-'' « situate,!,, ''"='> flo,vt,„. '""shed bv th ""* ^''"•ei-s are*.. each I " '="y M-a. ?'""">'■ In 1 T ^^' ''°™'<='' '« ""bub' ;*'''J«.-eT '" "'^ ">ioL; ""^ f"''*''^ P'"J™'«' Po.i'''' P°i'»latio; ■" ■'''■^«='« >vitb C '""'■ '^'■''» '•" «>« 'on-uTn''''^^'--^ ^l T-''"'- VhiklT'^-''^" I'" left ■^'■■'e.i ;'"" ''■=' of ,f f^ of the i *<', '"'k of the ,„.„. "' '^h oh h*';'" «'Son ;,"": "f «:4 "If ''^<>0 feet, thf *hieh i, '" f>^ P>-o -id ' V"'' -ont,.ib" "•''""'""•' ■*'J'''3.'>00. f'^^^s. S-r" '"■"» " e^' "'« eitv "':, *"!''«»0. '™vin. *"»bee„ r^''^^*" "'" '"" *i> Jn": " ""= ■'J'«'™ f "■■■' '° com ""^'^ '■■' C„ "'l?™«.a, pf"' ''^ "f «e,ver.s built '■"-^fe^ed : P'eto the ,b f "^'-^ /Jj ' But at the .ate y,steu, f„,. "'0 „ 2" ""=e over tvveuty "^"'V co:> 'y^l; «,.,e thf '» WfiO.oOO, less mayor's address. xxxix ''fins, am] ,„, ■^'^'es, poisonij 5 an alan..... '0 obstinate tl ^^on to belierl '"'•e supply ol "'ise to manj 8 situated on ''■s are clean | I'n showers onr sewer- rj a radical (devoted to fornuiiated e districts, !g into the 'es in the Pi'ojected 'ts of the r in the I be left the pro- '■e being feet, the robable '89,000, eavinjT 'jstem f new I buijf; 9 rate ^enty B the iess ^*' ^ T wiU need to be undertaken. That ,156,250 frontage rate., «U ne^ ,,,^ v>y sewevage portion o« the c.ty f-^ 1 f b P ^^^.^ _^^^^^^^ ^,_ ,^, «orl<. i« »"0."»»' ""'^, Lw SIOOO'^ annually £or five eo.i- atv « e.«po«e,-ed to '»"7 »«'""^ construction of sewers 2tive years, «, be ^-^^^^.^^fZZ. of 1876. Tart o t=n course of eonstrneuon.^^^^^^^^ While the slow labouous ^<^-X ^: „„. the City ,taost entirely new system otsewc ^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ Board of Works is k-n-n| ^f^^"^;,^, uke water, by extra r- ^° :t":X>-n' l-^^^' -d by a liberal use of Xaeof U:r embolic acid, .c, SANITARY. . fr^YQQ the rlealtn U^der the Sanitary arrangements Ji;-, ^^ ^.^^ ,^„,k. Tnsnectovs are under the contiol ot t ^^ „ j^^^^t^^ Thremployment of the Deputy^M -^ « ,.^ ,^y Health Inspector," and of the ^^^^^Con, bo effectively work- Inspectors," could not to. vauou ^ombmrng the tr Two Inspectors -"-;:,,„„. and a .reat impro-" ,„ties ot water a"'l ^-"^^^^ %?, ;, already manifest. A „„nt in the cond>t.on of the ^^ y ^^^^, ^, ^he o hce of ^he complaints of nmsanees on bein „,diate attention. The ';t poorer classes into ^'^^^^^^^^^^^ year past 4-*^ ^ "^ ". houses and surroundings. J^"""' j,,^ ^nd Sanitary Co " b of -neetings of the B°fj^^^« thickened interest m the .nittee have been held, and ««« '^ J ,„ies is b«ng drawn subieet of sanitation. A code of san y ^,^^ c.ty ;^tme 5000 copies of a pajM;.Pj^.^ „,„,„es, have Medical Officer, on san.ta.y P xl -___ ^^YOR'S ADDRESS. been distributed bv H T ~~~~~ — —- ' felf'^^'^^^^'-el/diilr n'^'^ ^^"^P'^'^^ ^-ts of rwth\T"^"'°"''''the!are,,„ '"-^""'^"'•^ "-^ "ado to vego all ";""' --egulaHty^^A; ,f 'T' ''''^'^'"^ ''-been dtiCha, K*"'""" '^o^ons Tl '''P ^^""^ 'l«""g 'he ^S;i;iw ^_^<'-™ost place.. Fewsta- '''<^ year e„Ji„g»3i;°*J«glH leading eities of Montreal ''099 "'"""»bet, lS8i : IZT"- ' "«2 "'"1°' "eath. to 1000 ,o i""'^". urn „ " ■• 33.05 0H»"' 799 „ " .. 2C.03 >Vmi„peg, 4gg .. „ 2.3.11 22.29 20.78 mayc»r's address. xli r^ — '■'' 1 TJovv shew such favorahle vital LsonheBritishAmy-^^-y^;^-., ^^^^ ,„,, eau.o ttatUtics as our own fj, ^ j^ this respect, there are So, eongrat«lat,o„ -j^^^^f .^ ,„ Halifax to be deplorea. %„,ue features » '^°" '^ ^^^^^ and o£ the volunteer aicHund. I Visitors of cl-'-'f l^'j-Xt ;;vy .uany of the poor are really I, e.ort that the dwell ngsotvy J^^^ ^^^ ,,, „„fit for human hab aUon. 1 ^^ ^^^^^^^ ^ courts lanes eognisant of the ^f' '""„,!„ fit to house cattle, are and backyards, wh.ch aro scarce y ^^^^^ portmn- nted by poor and hard-wortang peop ^^^ ^^^^^^^ ately higher «-n Irouses on so n^ o ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ave good laws on the statute boou^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^,„„3 :;„rt will be nrade to ^--^ ^-^^".^...eed and the citizens sanitary regulaUons of the citj ^^.^^^ ^^^^ ^^ the generally would conform to *;«■■ y,„,, has signally healthiest city on *«.-f*;;it: a splendid climate, and an .„„.j us with a magnificent site, * i SnTe of good wholesome water. STREET LIGHTING. ,. v. 1 I.V ^^42 f^as lamps and The streets of HaMax - ^ifh^ 1 by • ^.^,^^ ^ U9 oil lamps, a total of «\'^§' f„„tside mercantile estab- there are a number of electric IS^ts o ^^^ ^^^^ £ Zents lighted during ^ Port- of ^^^^ J^ .^hting »60a gas lamps on city »'=»»"' '^th moon is depended on to lovseveral nights each nionh '^tly happens that m provide the necessary ligM, ^''^2l\l Arrangements should Lnny weather dense darkiiess ju ev- • ^^^^^^^ ^ ,ted he made to the eftect that he st. e t 1^ ^^^^ ^ v, when the moon is "^^^'^'^ .^^ee an hour or two before notice from the Board of W«'^^ *\ ,j,,tric light an oppoi- nightfall. By the '"troduc n * ». ^._^^ ^^ ^,,,,t Ugh - tuMty of testing "- ,«^f ^'^ "' city Council and a cont a t i„g has been -™"-^°* J^^ ^x E ectric Ught Company to ,„tered into with the Halifax bl xlii mayor's address. provide 38 lamps at a cost of SlOO per lamp. This chancre supersedes 159 gas and oil lamps which now cost S380l.2o, The street lamps will not be i-emoved even where superseded by the electic lif;'ht, so that should the city need to fall back on the gas lights they will be available at an hour's notice, An agreement to this effect has been made with the Gas Light Company, the city paying 81.75 per annum for each unused gas lamp. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I Halifax is old fashioned enough to prefer her extremely effective Fire Department composed of volunteers, to a paid department as now exists in most other cities. So long as such splendid bodies of men as those forming the Union Engine Company, Union Protection Company and Unicjn Axe and Lad- der Company are ready and willing at a moment's notice to com- bat the devouring element, the cimzens of Halifax should feel profoundly grateful to these faithful and brave men for their self denying and arduous services for the common good. To do justice to the Union Engine Company, their apparatus should be kept in a perfectly efficient state, and be in a position to be moved rapidly to every fire. For a year or two past the horses hired to convey the engines and ladder w\aggons to fires, have not been located in the houses, but on the expiry of contracts this year, the Board of Firewardens, in conjunction with the City Board of Works, have purchased hoi-ses and stable them m the several engine houses, whore they are tramed to duty and are ready at a n.oment's notice. Steam Fire Engines 1 and 2, have recently been thoroui^hly overhauled and fitted with new steel boilers No. 8 is now m the repan- shops also receiving a new steel boiler and other enewals, .„d she will be ready before winter to take her iCT.JT"V^T '"' "^^^'^^^'^ ^^'it^^'n the past two or on the o7 T ^r^^'"" ^"' °"^' «^^-- -^^^'- to be depended on. the others breakmg down under pressure, but the Depart^ mayor's address. xliii le superseded' ^■'^ ^'an bad- pour's notice, J'th the Gas pi for eacli 1^' extremely ^> ^o a paid hug as such ion Eii^riue ^a and Lad- tice to coiii- sJiould feel ^n foj- their gootl To apparatus ' a position '0 pa.st the 'liS to fires, expiry of ".junction 3»'.sG.s and they are )i'oun-IiIy is jiow kI other ike her two or ponded depart- ment will now for the first time in several years, have three steaniors in first-class order and ready for any emer^^ency that may arise. The Board of Fire Wardens would feel safer if they had one more powerful steam engine than those now in use, and located within striking distance of the valuable blocks below Barrington Street, in ward 3 and 4. Not one winter passes without the necessity of such an addition to the fire apparatus being apparent, and the department is anxiously looking forward to the time when the City Council will provide the needful to make the purchase. Three ordinary steamers with one first-class engine in reserve, are not too many for a wooden city like Halifax, extending over so large an area, and con- taining in its business streets so much valuable property fixed and moveable. There is a fair supply of hose on hand, viz. : 5400 feet of rubber hose, and 2000 feet cotton hose, in all 7400 feet, a good proportion of it quite new. Another 1000 feet would about fill the hose reels and give a change of dry hose, should a second fire occur within twelve hours, or before the wet hose could be dried or thawed out. A chemical engine and a number of Babcock's extinguish- ers would foi-m valuable additions to the fire equipment, and be very serviceable for small fires in dwellings, stores and w, 'houses, and especially in hardware and dry goods shops, where water is often more destructive than fire. On several occasions within the past five years, such appliances would have saved enormous sums of money to owners of property and underwriters. Of fire hydrants there are : high service hydrants, 98 ; low service, 199; private hydrants on wharves, 30,— in all 327> which number might advantageously bo increased, and will no doubt be, as extensions of water are granted to new localities. An immense amount of moveable property and not mfre« Xliv mayor's ADDEESS. quently l,„man lives arp .. , — - Union Protection CoTpZ T7""' ''' ''"' '^"'»- «f "« -p,s in eve.., sense of Thet: ' ;i;\"' ^"•^'"^ ^^ '[ ""t ""-y efficient and a J" ' '"''' "'°'''' "'"W be sav ,1 «f .'"bber cover, and oth " L^^^r^ 'r' "'-'g- ™».W Companies should see that^r , ^. applmnces. I„s„™„ apparatus of the Un L p ^^/'^^^"--^ m the salv.! A"d as .peed is a gre "eo '^'""" .^""P^^ «- -*P>W. have ,ts horse or h^orae „„\ "f' ^I", »lvago wagon I„H b«t for subsequent removal of ^ '■■'' ™^'' '° '^ «''■ fl'-o escape would also be a v»? Tf"''^ '"''^- ^ moveabl. apparatus of this efficient an , , "''j"™' '" ">» salvage ^opartment. The oecZnee If '.T 1'^"""^ <""' "^ ">« «'« Bmkhng fires, as well „s tl 1! ., ~'' "^'^J''""' and Queen da OS, demonstrate the need rf °""'' '''■^^ °' ™-« ™-te a'd'ng m the saving of life '°""' ""^olmnical apparatus for B:?:'T>«^^^^^^^ of the Hook and Bngade having „,,,;'';«otced; this branch of the Fire c, rt„ p'"" f-*o? effect f '"""« '^'^ -^ ^o-' P-t Tnlv / '^'="'"'' Ban" ir^'. ^°"''' f"""^ the pro- everven ' '" ™™'bors of the TT . '' '''"' '"P'-o^ed cc:---th^:i--.an.^^^^^^^^^ The mananer onj reports the wl,.. , "Porator of the fi the whole f "'^ ''oxes in 1 , ' *'*'™ *'^'oS'aph thelle an;™°'*^»anag;"J:;t ""*'"=" "''''■ «'"- given. \ rC"r"""' alarms ie^" T" '" ""^ ^^ »' rectified '''^ « defect ale °?'"'^ """^ P^*^"^ are mstantly detected and E»capes'ha' 'beoTf '^•'' "^ ">« Lo.i,lat„,. p ^oheme to be ! """' and is ^'Z T ^ "'"■'' "' ^"''' "^ oarned into onel- * "' """'k preparing a '^""''°'' Without delay wlth I \£ U I ;l: mayor's address. xlv such recent examples of losses of life at fires, as have been alreaily referred to, no time should be last in compelling the erection of permanent escapes on dangerous buildings, in which human life is in continual jeopardy, and also providing mova- ble escapes or apparatus suitable for facilitating exit from buildings that may not bo fitted with permanent fire escapes. Losses by fire last year were very small, nearly all of the estimated , loss during the year, viz., $80,000, was at the Acadian Hotel fire. There were 54 alarms struck during the year, or 22 less than the previous year. This betokens a re- markable immunity from serious fires and losses thereby. It is a good testimony to the effectiveness of the Halifax Fire Department that so many incipient conflagrations were extinguished before gaining any headway. Should this record be kept up it must have a beneficial effect in lowering insurance rates.. No progress has been made towards storage of petroleum in isolated buildings. Though an earnest attempt has been made to compel dealers to provide a suitable place of deposit, the provisions of the laws on the subject have not been carried out. Another attempt will be made to enforce the law. The Provincial enactment on the storage of gunpowder in shops and warehouses has been pressed upon hardware mer- chants who are the almost exclusive sellers of this article, and they are gradually but slowly conforming to the law. I would call attention to the mode of ringing church bells, especially on Sundays. Should a fire alarm be struck during the time occupied in calling worshippers to their several churches, serious consequences, through delay, might and will some day certainly ensue. A representation of this danger made to the several church authorities or a city ordinance should be resorted ta The warmest thanks of the corporation are due to the >clvi ^lAVOu's ADDRESS. ^7- ^«'' it will be fo7r:.'H "' "'■" '*' ''^'" '" «- eity »e. ^ *^ ot the Dominion of Teny, ''''^ ^'«"CE FORCE, With a l«,. ■'"''>'• 42. the wo,.| f '■ P°P»lation the,v ; *-" ,; of r'^ '^'=" "one " p .:'^"-"-- f'-e. and still P^st seven v' '°''" ""> StiLnd^' ,,^''' 'o'"' number of ^^O'-^ are a. follo^^ ^^^''^ ^^^^'i^'rate during the 1879. 2158. 18S0. 20.54. 1881. 1883. 1882. 1878. 1883, 187G. ^ '""'^t bear testim ' ^''^^^- 1491. *«' I eannot :;: '•*! .''^^ - ft'oq lu!'!''*' *» ">« City a, """'»»"., well-earn'ejS "T '^^""-".vto '""'■els, but I am bound MAUOIl's Al:)l)RESS, xlvii 1^"'^ ^ity next t^y. as well P''^8' on the r' city from ^^<^"iiiiion of and sfciii *sfc year, _e 1879, i^ci'eas* nhev of ng the 'the ave Te- as to Id to say tliat on all occtiHions I have found him vigilant, pains- taking and thoioughly conHcientiou,'* in the performance of his duty. The Deputy Marshals and the Detective officer have conducted themselves to my complete satisfaction, the sergeants are zealous in looking after their divisions, and as a rule the constables are attentive to their duties. Cases sometimes occur when members of the police force so misconduct themselves as to necessitate infliction of penal- ties, but these cases on the Halifax Force are rare, and when they have occurred the Committee has dealt wisely and tirmly witii them. While regular monthly inspections of the force have not been held, occasional parades were required, at which the men appeared neat and tidy, and were addressed on their (lutiey by the Mayor and members of the Police Committee* These occasional inspections, accompanied by words of warn- ing and encouragement, have been productive of good results. Section 157 of the City Charter says : "After the passing of this Act, no person or persons shall be appointed or chosen, or continued by the City Council to the office and duties of police constable or constables, for the City of Halifax, who shall be over the age of sixty years." There are several men now on the foice who are ovei sixty years of age, and the City Council should make other provision for these men as vacancies on other services occur, and so conform to the law. These men have all served long and faithfully, and are entitled to civic employ in other branches where the duties are nt ' so exacting or burdensome. It would add to the good behaviour and effectiveness of the members of the force if a small extra gratuity, and a good conduct badge wore mven to such men as have served over ten years with clear records. The Police Station is a disgrace to the City of Halifax, it xlviii mayor's addess. great (laturoi- n.i "' '" tic Polico St»(: •,, g'D, Jrunkon pe,.s„„, esn ,"°''"=«f"' s^ono, of ,1,,,,. the effil ''""■"""ties, wnul,) ""«'"» '" P'«"- to any part'T '^^'^^"ee ra d,/,'"' """fSo.. co„U al» fe ^ P-"t of the city. "I'"^'^ f'-om the contml station Th^nuX:':;''' ""''-'and that « "anted at all^;'^'*-' "'' P»'ice,„e/ «7"" '"™ '>* "-"ited and 'h« P™tecti„;7:,°' """^'y a^d „^J"^' "''-« they are f ""«info™,ato„!7 P°''««. «ouW t' " "'o«e who need ""tie'^ ineu„,b,„r °' '^^aehes of ,aL "'^» * 'i'«e trouble in ^ ""*" '''"ension, p,' "?» «i»e wouJd he ■"'" freedom of Ifahfax MAYOlOs ADDHESS. xlix ''' ^'entllate,) "^"t. at anv '■'"entofti,; ^videtl J„ ^'^ City,,, P'^" ^vitllol.t ]^ sou til ox. P» ^viiicJi to ^<^s of dr'^ strictness of discipline, and the tasks requii-ed from the })risoners sent up for i-estraint and punishment, the number of habitual frequenters has been largely reduced, Many idle and vicious vagabonds looked upon the City prison as a home during the winter, but under the present managetnent these individuals prefer to look else- where. The following table will shew the principal features of change in the City Prison during the past five years : — Estimated Male Female Cost of Cost Cost. Earnings. Prisoners. Prisoner!). Males. S 70 82 of Females. 1881 $ 7878 S 3100 $ 282 S 99 $ 47 45 1882 7000 8540 270 111 70 82 4fi 55 1883 6400 3500 194 92 60 35 46 45 1884 5200 5205 233 127 56 70 42 80 1885 4600 3775 172 82 56 70 42 80 These figures tell their own stoiy, and comment on them is. quite unnecessary. A juvenile i-eformatory in connection with the prison, has been a great want ; for at times there have been from ten to fifteen boys, at ages ranging from eight to fifteen years, incarcerated, with no means of employing thein, save in the stone shed— their terms of iniprisonment WAVOR's ADDliESS. '"""'t perfon„e.l h IV 'f 7''^- °» »«"■■".•..■ goo.l work Every year crm f • *"•"• - that Whaler;:;::;"''' r^ "^'"-^ '"^-'«' <>„ .,„ °f ^™«te l«nt «„,le,. cultivation an 1 ,' '"'''' ''^^" «'-™' »-' "l.e vegetable. n,e,l „„:';,;""<'« '» -supply a lar^o portion «f f ™'™te„a„ee. Son \?™"' ■"'"^™"y .-educins the «W greatly to the value ^^j"'!^ '^ P"«°» 'al^or, an-'°P"— ; T» the credit i^^^*'"S.raakin: a^d ™'' ^™*' -'P'"""'?. -"- of a to a-: "-hanie-aiX^r;? -f ^'°"""^'- ^'"■ °* "'<= billed lab "' " P"™ner i, !„ ° ''■■""''- t'>at the pre- labor ..e,„i,^, .^ « o rnfrequent, that most ,,/' « only simple , ■„,.„. , '^ °" ""^^ '» •» Paid for. the aaSi rs of t), •'."''tico to state tb.t o ^i» of the Govern""™ '» '"'s'" y at I 't ^'""""'•^tration of ''"^^'no'- and .natron ^.f^factory. and the ser- * gieatly valued. MAYOR*S ADDRESS. li ['■e facili- I'"' work I'oh will ''IcJlilinr up fci'OVV on the 't' tract »'i and 'Iff the uie by o/' the [i time •f the PARKS AND GARDENS. Halifax is well provided with parks, jraidens, squares, plots, and vacant spaces of every kind ; in fact few cities on this continent are so well off in this respect. In addition to open spaces owned or occupied by the corporation, the extensive properties of the Imperial Government, most of which are accessible to the citizens, give plenty of breathing space to our people, and would form breaks in event of any large conflag- ration in the city. POINT PLEASANT PARK, the most extensive of the pleasure grounds, comprising 186 acres in extent, is under the management and control of a Board of Conniiissioners composed of the mayor, six aldermen and six citizen commissioners. The Park is held under a lease nf !)0() years from the Imperial Government at a nominal vearlv nmtal. There are nearly six miles of carriage drives in perfect order, besides some miles of foot-paths winding all over the Park. On the west it is bounded by the beautiful waters of the North-West Arm, and on the east by the harbor of Halifax. Point Pleasant, the extreme south boundary, faces the mouth of the harbor, having the Atlantic ocean in full view. Nature has been prodigal in endowing this beauti- ful park with many spots of extreme loveliness and although art has done but little to improve on tiature, the blending of the work of both has resulted in giving to our city what few small communities possess. Two years ago a legacy of §5,000 bequeathed by the late Wm. P. West to be used for some pur- pose in improving the Park, was appropriated to the erection of two iron summer-houses or pavillions, which greatly add to the beauty of the localities where they are placed, besides affording shade and rest to those who frequent these delight- ful spots. Sir William Young, Chairman of the Board of Comniis.sioners, has for years kindly superintended the work of keeping in order and improving the drives, foot-paths, Jii m i "^"^"'^ ADDBEsa groves^ etc a ^ ^ — ~~ — ~"^— -— . !'' ""'y ri,,k „t r '""■"f "■»« sate a J°""^' '» »"■» to fe .!',"°^'= ">e thief r"°»« «'■ law «,*'■'"■<'•>' ">^ '-«. T "P tlip. ' *n'>ui„ all ""0 coinm,.,, , ""Joyment and a'i a ;f '■''^"- No a";:" •" "-^ XTf^ ^'™" -"oa„t parts of tu ^^^^ ^ayinr, ^^a^" bv „ ^^^oi-abJe com- ;eee„t ^^^^^-'^•i^Z 7 ;«d o^I.e^^.tV-P'-e-nt^ .,.J> ^^^^' iate surn- e to parts of f h '^^^e ^ayinr, ^«ar bv ,, ^^^oi-abJe com- ;eee„t w ^ «7'>»'i./u:|, 7 ;«d o^I.e^^.tV-P'-e-nt^ """« 'na. 1""^ -^ontii-om ,?'"''-''«. itf, R; ?' *"'' «« The "' ""'^ "■"'/: r""^' o'e !^"'-^» of ', "''^'y band, adds ■ . "'" gentle- -^SP* mayor's address. liii lU'S-e to he ^'^trance, mi fires, p^'^ ^vhich fees. To ^cen to city of ^m, of ]pende(l r and ^ and oant oiitg dug res ra- ts »s e men forming this Board give a large amount of time and care to the work, especially to the financial arrangements, it being incumbent on them to provide, in addition to the city grant, sufficient from evening concerts, exhibitions of fireworkr; and various rentals to keep the gardens in their present condition and to effect improvements. Too much cannot be said in praise of Mr. Power, the Superintendent, who has for a num- ber of years devoted his best energies to the care and beauti- fying of the Garden and Common. THE COMA"^' This spacious area originally c -wKistod of 235 acres, but it has been curtailed by separating the grounds of the Provincial and City Hospital, the Exhibition grounds. School for the Blind, Public Gardens, Camp Hill Cemetery, and other enclosures, so that not more than oiic-half remains unenclosed. The military exercising ground and the unenclosed spaces to the south of Cogswell Street, used as recreation grounds, have had great improvements effected in the drainage. The enclosed field north of Sackville Street has been filled in, levelled and will be planted next year. In time this field will probably form part of the Public Gardens. Camp Hill, the greater part of which is military property, is rough and wild, and is at present torn up by military operations in building mock batteries, diumnff trenches, etc. This prominent part of the Common is an eye-sore and an oflfence. The field opposite the Exhibition Building is in great need of attention from the Commissioners, as the fencing is not equal to those surround- ing the Exhibition grounds, Hospital, Public Gardens, or Blind Institution, THE GRAND PARADE. For almost a generation this prominent square, in the very heart of the city, has been a public nuisance. Litigation over the ownership caused its total neglect. Its walls became crumbling ruins, its surface was little better than a dump tor "''^°«'S ADDRESS. .'^'■''^tecl, and next V ^^ " ''^a^r ii'onVn '"'"" S'™" ^'^-^ a source ;;7''e-fe, - that " ^ ?":' "'' '"« ««' "quai-e. Thp ; "" '<> Hie rW„ "^'^ ^<"' a series of f "•^'y paid ct sn "-^ ^■- c i' v-:^ t; """""'"" -' baJanee. "^ ^'- <-'>a.Je. Coo-swell '""l^stofSlOOO '"-^"■"••d the city pays the an unsightly .J\ ^'''''"'i Street »„ . c 'r^^ "^'-yinglrfr™"^ «'on wa^' ^'r'"S «-*" Bead ''.'f °f «"e tr !;*'*''• This .poT r. .""' ^ "«"' P»^f and :'"«'. and va „:•!'' ''^^<= been n Id :f <' ">>• ^""^ « nun,- '''^'^■^"fciti 't °^"'»n>«- i. JaH *■ ^''o ^hadeofthe Tt'P^«ttyspot,";^""" the open L "."'■" P^'*' ^""» T^" ^ame p,.;^^^'^; effected ,vithout f ^f ""P'-o™ment of '''■^^'■>?g.o„nr:„7'i '^e effected at 7,' '" f''^ -''^ '— 7- fi'"ns«,iefc street °''^ ""'<='' -^''urch ^'"■' "f what , *""■«« VE p^j,^ , *^' fenced an, *^ """ed the ' *'" i!to„ J nne (rrnu-n ' year ai = "'ciimond, ''"•^ "Od a n„«t; of beech tree. T' °' «^«»0- ^t Theespla . ^'^'^ P-'O^ided ^'"''•^ '^ ^^o a band y "Od proyy „;,?*'"»>■ has also \. ■ A tidvin " '"•nd stand . °" '"P'-oved re- "»<' oth on"? '' ^''^'e in tb . ""'^'^^• ^-"eh.„:::>vshe4t--nc^^^ MA yob's address. Iv On the whole, we have no reason to be ashamed of our public parks and gardens. Of late years great interest has been taken in tree planting — not only in country places, but in cities. In many citipR and towns, Arbour day is an annual holiday. If such streets as Tower Road, Spring Garden Road, South Park Street, Pleasant, Gottingen, Brunswick, Cogswell, Cunard, and the multitude of streets north and south, were lined with trees their whole length, instead of being only partially planted, it would add greatly to the beauty of the city and suburbs. citizen's free library. Few cities with any pretensions to literary culture or intel- lectual attainments now exist without having well equipped libraries for the public use, and it is gratifying to know that Halifax is not the exception. Tn the Legislative Library there is available for the members of Legislature, Govei'ument offi- cials, and a number of citizens, a laige collection of valuable books, and the libraries of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion and kindred societies, furnish reading matter to the mem- bership of these several institutions. In the Citizen's Free Library, Halifax has the nucleus of a good collection of books; but for some years, owing to a lack of interest on the part of the public, as well as a lack of mone- tary support from the City Council, this library has been go- ing behind. The report of the librarian tells its own story. A short history of the rise and progress of this Library niay not be uninteresting, and may serve a good purpose in stirnng up a feeling of local pride in the public mind, which, it is to be hoped, will result in something being done to re-inyigorate and revive the management of this most valuable institution: Between 50 and 60 years ago, the late John Naylor. - of books wi,i 1, w rr f'l'"''" ■'^^ "««"""• - «■'"'«<« ""« 't'oet, belo«- Hollis q ■'"''■™1'"^n"y '■e.novod to Saelil 7^xtcnde.I, and called theTr r^- "!'"'' ""^ *^ 'il"*T of "bocle ,vas then o,,po te I u P ""' ^'^"'"y- «» P'^cl :■' « 't'-eet, wl,ere i ■ ll^'' "'"^ «:-"■"»■■ School on Sack- S»fee,,„e„tl, the book C' , f '*'! "^'»'™- ™<1 <«-!• ^^0™? and p,.e,„,„,,j 21^0 ''^ ''^ "'« H"n. Willia,,, 'ha' *ey should be to ,„ d into ^X ^'"'™"' "" -"-««»" ""0 a suitable place, and kelt . '™'' ^™^ ^""^'T. P«t ^0'- a time a ,.oo„, i ' t ' p^^' "P"" fo'' «'e use of the pub ic ^"f '7 city otfieials a td ^Jif "^'.''"»" ^^ "««' as a libra,- ' ^■' "ot work «.ceessf„l ;,;'''?"■'"?■ '"' ""'^ an-angen.en ^ !;'-o„t incun.bent,'^;::! o'T t"^' ^'"^"'S * C'™J> an ' ■' «-as ''eorgani.ed, eltlZf ' ?«'■'"""<'"* Hbrariau, «»oval was effected to » ore '":' ''"'^■•"^'l- I" I«7:i, a 0" ^-eet, and addition 7:;"™"'^"""'' 'i"'"^'--^ on Barriu: '"'P'^tus was siven .0 K i ^ '""'^o '0 the volumes a -n-.r^t :-:'; the libraHan" ''; :^'-;--s,tati„« additionkuir" « 'I et,on, was, in ,,75 p,,,:^,''^?,^''"-'"-^-" a )arge private *'0^0. and combined with' oo,?'' 'f "'^ «ty Council for Vnl„ , , ^'" ■* '''■<"= Library. ^ aluable .l„nati„,„ „f , , »- to ti,„e by Si,, ,4. ;;k^ a.K, ,„„„,,. ,,,,^ ,,^^,,^, 78 'h "^" "'■-'"^es ir ;,!""» """ o'herse„tlen,en, and .'sen ' ''''■"'■>■ -'»<=1> ad rer""'"^'- ^n 7th of October .W \°r"™ i" Ar,vle I a,^ " P;«"ously ren.ovcd to its vZf ''oo'^'^atonc; all f."'"^ '"■•'"ally opened, and the two : Xf ■""« 'o «^0^0 rr'' '"^^^ -^-'S- fo- a fow ■kelined ,J ^'''"' ">« applieat" 'ff ""r'"' ^°'- "'" Past '-C':,":t: '? ""« f-'tbatn :,,?;, •■""'« "-o rapidly library h-,! u '"'"" '"a'le. The "°"^ "f modern books J"«t c nT"? '""--T have ::':;' ^^■'''^' ^olun.es of the - kee^ing^ ;: ''^'' °' O"'' «ti.e .TiP^T"'^'' ''■>'"- 'ate Chief fi "P the supply of ,„„j;^'"; ''«;.'« anything to assist " 'eading uiatter. mayor's abbress. Ivii „,lit.n-c is annually $300 beyo ^^ j^^, ^^p^,, s, ana 5 f the most reaaaWe boo^^^ ^^ J „;„ put then, in ordev ! .,an sun. say six -"^^;J tr n-eanrshonld U adopt- - -"^ r " ^rjoTnt necessary to do the wo*. „, t„ ,ai» the small amoun ^^ ^^_. ^ ,„ Th. cWn ' ot the library is not to be thou .^^i r 1 -bined o^ort - tl. ^^^^^^^^^^ .nndaUon to provide some mo^^ein il,y of the city of Hahfax. REVISION OF THb cu i adlars ^va9 m- «te give coi--"" ,M,le .vith the amendments n ;,^tion of W e„,„ploteness to the code. Jh^ ?„ 1,76. «'-" '^„^,, a,Kl ordinances now m "^O' -;;^^,,„,„ Thompson a^"! mtee of the City Councl, AWe ^^ ^^, c y « tbe work. Attempts ^d ^ ;;„„gV, revision, bu J of the day, looking to-*;^^,^, rnd f "f ; ^"ned wa. factory progress could ^ «" ,o,k was »« ■, ^„„h .Wn. The committee tjh™^^ ^^^, Ordman-s^,^ ^^ .^. instructed " to publish the ^,„o s form as to enable the ctoe" « ^^^„,a. convenience to learn how they are y Iviii MAYOR'S ADDRESS. Though the committeTdiT^iT ' " hee„„,pj,,,.„„,,^^^^;;:^J h«..w -k faithful,, .n.j „,„ »'■- serve the ends aimed at \^, ' ''"' ''"^""^^o'' been n„! j J™ enee. Since 3876 i:,';'"!' ""'""" "■""''le an i ' I leg.,ation on civic afl ,"'l7'"8- P^™'' ''- been f.-uiX tit ;■.' "P^^'^^' ^° -"any kdd.tn'"""'; '"^^''^» '^'.acted that he present book of 1^ , ""'' "derations „,adel 1 '"' "' officers, Public School, / ""'"^" «f Finance T"^ Council, and various o/l, , ' ^°^P>tals, power o' obs7f • "r^ 0' "'^ b;"w :„^"^i-'^. has beenL:; ,;, '■^' °f -ty acts passed throu d' 2^" ' '"■'' '°"-""S maintenance '^' *"'i Provisions for] " ^"""« of new hosnit„i ] . ^ ■■ ioanof«24 00nf '""'"'■<^■•'• " ^""-owing 840,000 for !f!*"°''P"''''» gardens. " Establishment of a ht? T^S'' P^'-Po^-^- ^«^S-Act for buildin.Ei ,"'°°'- " ^"-ndmentofPute'c'^'""- "Wic Gardens Act, 1877 " ^^Wng to „„,„, ?Se Act, IS77. ' ^^'^-Amend^e^r , ! ;"'',^-S-ous b.iWing, " ^-essment.oLtv '*■"-" ^* " -etdamaX'^-^^^^^^^^^^^^ 1880-Roeord nf f "PP'^'^cment. | Mcoid of ordinances an.I 1 ^axation of banks ' »"''^'-^' -"^nt of distraint Consolidated Funj , , ' «°" of ''^fauUers-^Slwhr- "V^^^^-P"'"-- 0* """-payment of rates ""''^*''^ "^^ ''oa^on / 'afe^. MAYORS ADDRESS. Ik 'fuJiy an.J H'eli ■ever been matU uWe and inconj as been fruitful i been enactedj erations niadej ^es is almost ers of Finance] ctions. Streets/ als, power oL ^een radicalijr] ^lave become t'iie followinc I'e since] 876.1 I'ovisions for ii'dens ofLo me. ; Jisfcraint. publica- 7 I'eason 1881— Nomination and election mayor and aldermen. M Exhibition sheds loan. ,1 Dry Dock Act. II Appropriation of land for railway purposes. II Regulation poors' asylum and hospital. It Vesting county court house in commissioners. 1882— Amending charter — Provisions for borrowing to , meet losses. II Election of mayor and aldermen, and sundry amend- ments to charter. M Act to complete north connnon sewer. 1883— Assessment Act of lcS83, containing numerous altera- tions in sundry laws, &c., &c. II Sundry loans — Industrial School, &;c. II Payment of School Board. II Settlement of Grand Parade dispute. 1884— Act for sundry loans, fee, &c. II Amendment of School Act. II Railway Siding Act. 1885— Amendments relating to payment of rates and taxes —Court of Appeal— Register of Real Estate- Assessment of public companies. Reducing salary of City Treasurer. City prison loan. Grand Parade loan. Sewerage loan. Change in sinking fund. Payment of sundry accounts. New Water Assessment Act. Cotton Factory subsidy. High School amendments. Fire Escape Act, This list does not, by any means, embrace all the laws relat- ing to the City of Halifax, for there have been a number ot acts and by-laws passed in addition to the foregomg. whicn more or less affect civic legislation. t Ix "^^OB'S ADDBEss. .-""'" '« o«-; : tT*^ -nee, r : :::: ''«°'-' ^e ,„ jj mvited. "■» "'"•ne.H attontio,, 7;;f ^ "^ ^W-«o„, to Since *!,„.._ . ^^% Council i. his / Since the f ' """"'■' ^ ^«™ handed 7""°''"^ '""' Penned n ""'•"■"Ily avaijT T' '° answer ItH'' ' ^'"'"'ors of P'-""'"-^. With thet Z^"' °f 'he test "" f"'' P"'''=<' ^o^t considered it to bo li^T- ^''° City Rei,'^ ^™'='' ''■<"" the '""e "Bthorities " ' *'°' P'-°vi.sio„ haf,.^ '^ P'''-^'>ns have *'yprosec«ted 1, f ^' "'"i"- Ws ! , ''''"'" «"«•«.. the' ™«ng officef ' "*- «>-o„,, :;:,, "cit"*"»- «hal, Te ft?et,i„ „ '^"^«°»°>*.- as prose- •^^g^slaturo has been too MAYORS ADDRESS. hi luuch given to interference witli city affaii's, and the corpora- lion lias become almost hide-bound by reason of repressive le'aslation in matter.s which should be controlled ))y the city I authorities.. When civic lef^islation is before the House of Assembly and Legislative Council too much defei-ence is paid to views of indiviilual citizens who appear before these bodies in opposi- tion to cluino-es in civic administration, which the experience of the City Council find to be necessary. THE CITY BUILDING. While the County Council of Halifax meets in a handsome new building mostly paid for by city money, the City Council and its ofiicials occupy a building which is a standing disgrace to the corporation. In this building, stowed away in obscure comers, are to be found (after a diligent search) the various city officials, occupying contracted, low-ceiiinge-i. unventiiated rooms, without conveniences of any kind. The police head- quarters is a perfect pest hole, and it i.s no wonder tiio men ondutj prefer the sidewalk outside the station, unless driven ^Yithin doors by stormy weather. In a small office, about ten feet square, the ouerous and exceedingly important duties of tiie City Clerk, who is the pivot of the civic system, are car- ried on amid interferences and interruptioiis which render a satisfactory discharge of his duties an hnpossibility. If the mayor or aldermen have business with the City Clerk, and which happens ever- hour of the day, they have to transact it ill the face of a 'squad of prisoners (brought before the Stipendiary Magisti-ate who also uses the office) or perhaps an insolvent debtor or two, with the usual attendance of squabbling attornies, and noisy witnesses. On the same floor is the City Court room, grim, dirty and generally run down in two little dens off the Court room are the private offices ot the Stipendiary and the Assistant City Clerk. The office ot the Mayor, into which mayors, aldermen and officials ot other \ ( ^^: 1« • XU mayor's address. / y cities, also distinguishdl visitors from abroad, frequently visit is not creditable to the city, and gives a very unfavorable impression of the status and dignity of the Chief Magistratel of the Metropolis of Nova Scotia. The offices occupied by thej Auditor, City Medical Officer, City Marshal, and Clerk of] License are scarcely on a par with that of the City Clerk, f while the other officials are not mnch better off. Contrasted! with the neat and handsome Council room of the County Municipality the Cit}? Council Chamber suffers greatly. There is a lack of ordinary conveniences all over the building, and its insauitavy condition is notorious. The officers of the cor- poration are frequently rendered unfit for work by reason of pestilential odors and bad ventilation. THE PUBLIC RECORDS. With the exception of two medium-size'^ ?^;'?es of doubtful fire-resisting qualities there is no plate of safety for the accumulations of public books and papers which are of the utmost value, but which a fire would completely destroy. Suppose the assessment books in the collector's office would be destroyed by fire, or the valuation books in the assessor's office, or the civic records in the city clerk's office, or the accounts and vouchers of the auditor, or the cash books, ledgers and registration books in the treasurer's office. No ])ower on earth, nor any amount of labor, could )-eplace the information, which would in the event of a fire in the building be totally lost. It is safe to say, that no Banking, Commercial or business concern would have its books and records in such danger as are those of the corporation, every day and hour. The building was condemned as untenantable ten years ago, and it is far more unfit for habitation now than it was in 1875. No expenditure of money will make it lit for corporation pur- poses, and the Bor.rd of Works has persistently refused to waste any more of the public funds on it. A proper City Hall is the only remedy, an<:l should be provided without delay. TbI IJIOO,! I vavio^ lalltli ^\ alloni lottetl Re for tl Coinl ■"•mmt-^ mayor's address. Ixiii lonfcjy yif^n "favorable Magistrate ^^'j h thel 'ty Clerk, i onfciustedl County 'y. There ;''n^^, and ■ the cor- ^'oason of ^loubtfuJ foj- the of the destroy, ^'ould be i-'s office, ccounts ii's and » earth, which y iost. siness as are iao-o, ^875. pur- i to :'ity out There is Icffislation in existence to enable the city to expend |jlOO,0()0 in the erection of a city building .suitable for the various corporation services, but a much less sura will provide I all that is necessary. No city in Canada has .such a shabby apology for a corpor- ation headquarters, even small cities like St. John and Char- lottetown being far ahead of us in this respect. CAMP HILL CEMETERY, ETC. Reference is made to Camp Hill Cemetery, in this report, for the express purpose of bringing to the notice of the City Council that the number of available burial lots is rapidly decreasing, and the time is fast approaching when it will be necessary to seek out a new resting place for the Protestant dead. From the dimensions of this city of the dead, those who selected such a limited area for a burial place had little idea of the growth of population, for it never could have been anticipated that in little over a generation a cemetery should be opened and closed for want of space for interments. There are vacant fields to the west of the present cemetery which might be obtained at a reasonable valuation. It might be better, in view of the mistakes made in locating our pre- sent cemeteries so near the centre of the city to locate further out, say on the banks of the North-West Arm, or between the head of the Arm and Bedford Basin, where there are hundreds of acres suitable for the purpose. Reference to the report of the committee will shew the work done and the improvements effected, with the cost of the same. Notwithstanding that much attention is given by the cura- tor, and though considerable money has been expended by the committee, the cemetery suffers in appearance from the num- lit' \ \.^ Ixit Mayor's adduess. / come overgrown with wel ' 7 P""'' '""■'"' ?'»'» '""'^ I »'! forsaken look, j, J :;,';«'--». »"•> Wve „n „„ei^ Ga'-don,,, the contrast i,s cerLn^v .? °"' '"•■"'""'•l P'.bl Con-eterya.a whole, tho, H,! t " '"''"""'"' "^ h^ attention which beto^: 1 j^ /'''■"-> «' '' .■ecelve. t '■elative,, and ft-ionds. I,oW,ol '■?"""""^''">'=« "f 'Imparted 'hat the puWie money on, " t?;^:'':';"' "° ""' »"''-» -' the cen,etery,orthe lots theref,^ H "^ '^ '"'"-'" '" ''"P'-ov, of the holder, and it i. ^Zy "h '""^- "^ "- P'-opcJ; ■n order. "'y of the owners to keep them The other Cemeteries where l„» Cemetery of the Holy cl" '"'^'''"™t^ take place are the «" Catholic counnunL'' r b;;',' t "■""'"'■^ "^ «- «" » v;We .leceased officers and ,oMe ' !? ''^''^^ «™-te.y of the navy are interred and tt, °^ "'" "'"y ""^ .seamen ho«3o^ The Cemetery of the Ho T"""'^ "' "'» '^''> ■■««-"" e Cemetery elsewhere. As in otl 7 r "''™ " ""^^ Catholic f>y might be purchased each m' '"'' " '"'»» Joi"t Cem- d'v.«ons which could b co" ' ^T"'' "'"'b' having it, .,„b. ^een 11 2G4 Ti ' "^^ "umber of inf^> , ' Ut n u ^^'^ «""^bor of unsoM i . '"^^^^'"ents have Is l)ece,„ber. 1880, there wLeTT^^ T '' ''^""^ ^^^- On rate r ?^ ^' ^^*« ^^^^^ ^eellboft , 0^ ""^^^'' ^^ ^^-* ^he ^au.t the available space ^ ' ^^^^" ^<^ >^«ars, will ex^ By (1( too nia ■i iiavo an iinfci "I P'lh] >' "*■ the '■■^ tiiat '•parted ^^"'■■staiid "iprove ^'•opoity ^'P tliem aro the ' Koin^ nictery ' is a very much smaller sum than a fair rate for even a common school education, in fact iiianj' citizens pay less for their whole "city, cuunty and school taxes" than the education of their children would cost at schools equalliuf,' those in operation in our city. Yet it is not imconunon to hear complaints of the expenditure of so much money on our schools, from at least a few tax payers who are ivally only contributing^ one ([uarter or one half the actual cost of educating their own children. Many of our largest contributors to the city treasury, and consequently to the school rates, derive only indirect benefits or advantages from the public schools. Quite a number of our meicantile firms, the mendjers of which have no children to educate or who are educating children at private schools and colleges, actually pay in taxes the salaries of from one to two teachers, yet there are fewer complaints from these individuals about the school rates than from some who arc getting far more in value from the schools than they pay towards their support. Seeing that so large a portion of the annual taxation is ex- pended on our City Schools, I may be pardoned for taking a little time in looking into the aflairs of this most important blanch of the public service. The Board of School Connnissioners for the City of Haiil:ax, is composed of twelve members, six appointed by the City Council and six by the Provincial Govei-nment. Each com- missioner holds ofHce for three years, four retiring each year. Aldermen Commissioners, do n.. of necessity vacate their positions on the Board, when they leave the City Council. By law the control and management of the public schools in ^ Jxvi mayor's address. On demand of thp P,^»v, • . 1 C'ty. Though the amount fiv ^ as-^sssment of thJ »' t ie Govemor-in-Council n?, ^ "'"''■"'"8 the consent' °,bto.n, the taxe.,on property J '^' '''^' ""^ax C tv <"'--, while Dartmouth 2i 7°"""/'^ <'°"'"y' "-"ed v -Wl tax on pr„pe,,/„'.t;t'' ."'^'"""""•^"''tainthl '^"''"'ginthecounty The „ ,"*^' ""'""' V perJ.! -""ty. compared wHh the hi 7 '"''"" "' P™P-h „ Z operates against the dt^^ C^;^""^ eit/vah-aUo* ,?"" 7^ «'K build school hon«„ , ^'"•" School Board *?'• ">« «a.ne .subject to thT "'' '^'"^ *''™'"'«-^ to pav Council, Debenture, is „ed ?.™™' "* *'>^ Governor^^^ theie were I9i ., ^^'''" endino- soHi rk . / '^ceive ^cholarland r • *'""* '" "'" "^h Scho!? - ■; •^""' ''^*' were* 8-A «': Paying pupils. On the ° ""' ''""or e.e .,,828 pup,!.,, „,ij,, ^ y" '"o com„,o„ .school rolls t,^ uaiiy ati endance in 7 P«'' cent., and in 1875 '^Vri ""^^ ^'^^^ ^^t of 2 070 n r^ of Tx«j. ' ^'8' 1 out of i T7- ™ ^'J/U, or 66 cent t: '? '" ^ ''''" °"' of 3828 ' "'i,'' ""' "™^-' "'ot *"* of Commi.,sio„e,^. '°P"«' f^m the report of the mayor's address. Ixv '11 ••■""■■*•■• ■ rested m The highest expenditure for school puiposes was $78,081 in 1878; the lowest within ten years was $63,979 in 1883. The average cost per pupil in 1878 was $14.79; in 1884, $11.80. Eight school-houses are owned by the Board, six others are occupied without rent, and sixteen are rented at a cost of $4,- 263 per annum. For the current year the total estimated tjost of the city schools is S79,400, with deductions of !59,500 for the Provincial Grant and 82,200 revenue from the Hio-h School and Charity Board, leaving the amount of $G7,700 to be assessed on the citizens, or a fraction over one-fourth of the whole city taxes. On 31st October last, the school debentures afloat amounted to S1G5,718.67, all at 6 per cent, interest. The supervisor reports the work of the common schools to be fairly well done. Pupils of both sexes are now taught in the High school. It is satisfactcrj to know that the com- missioners can report progress from year to year, and that the results attained in the city of Halifax schools compare favor- ably with those of other cities in Canada and the United States. The commissioners, I am satisfied, do their work faithfully, and the officials of the board realize the responsi- bilities ot their positions. With respect to the teachers, the supervisor states : " nine teachers out of ^very ten are working in all earnestness an),J«l-lr>;, .,J? TT ,.„ SaJario, of Halifax Citv «„i, , '"og- of any pa,, „/?/"„'''"'' '^"ohers ^^"oges of any pa,, „fT '!!''"'' ''"'ohers „ive .„ , . , i-eceivinr, an „i '^ " °' "'« Province l,f „,° ""■' '"gbest 3.-.1 ela.,, .;; y;3"l"-'^l»'eia.,s S42* 2„d'V"™!-' ?«- above then,. =«^' «-' '" eve.y ea„o n.o,. t^Z':Zt ""•I on tlie'wholf'th ' "''" ™''J'"='^ f* tbou,,],, . , P'-osre«s of ^^ '* not a little ,„ , *"<^' ''efleetion -* vv.iei;-7hf;:«^^'-"^'-idenee :fTe-i:/;'''^-(-P-t:; conducted ' ''' "*"--^ »'• <"- Metropt" : '7' ^^""'>' •^cnoois are being Com^lSr''" "-^ Halifax Hi.l. «„, , y Academy. a'=l> School will be<,o,„g ^ mayor's ADMIESS. Ixix 'toac/iers •aJ Pro- ^^ seen huhl& e-iiaif RELATIONS TO BOARD OF PUBLIC CHARITIES. This year the Board of Public Charities calls on the city for §22,000 for the Poor Asylum and the Provincial and City Hospital. Through the county they also draw some $13,000 from the city for insane patients in Mount Hope. Paupers in the Poor Asylum are paid for at so much per head for each city pauper, the cost being ascertained quarterly and cliarged pro rata. The cost of patients in the Hospital is met by the Provincial and City Treasuries at the rates of § and I respec- tively. Inmates of Mount Hope Hospital for the Insane are chai'ged to the county at a fixed rate per annum for board, $130 for males and $104 for females, with extra charges for clothing worn or destroyed. The composition of the Board of Charities is the Coininis- isionerof Works and Mines, Chairman, the Mayor of Halifax, Vice-Chairman, and three other Commissioners appointed by the Provincial Government. The three Commissioners are the actual manages, they taking the various institutions monthly !,y rotation. A large portion of the supplies furnish- ed to these institutions is by patronage of the Commissioners. Groceries, medicines, meat, and fodder for cattle are supplied, by tender and contiact. Dry goods, clothing, crockeryware, boots and shoes, tinware, hardware, paints, oils, etc., etc., are purchased under the directions of the Commissioner for tlie month. Of the City funded debt $68,000 represent the supposed part ownership of the City of Halifax, in the Poor Asylum and the P. & C. Hospital, but tne city has to pay the whole interest on this amount, whereas a portion should e(iuitably be met by the Board of Charities. As the buildings are now vested in the Board of Charities, or in other words the Province of Nova Scotia having taken the buildings out of the control of the city authorities, it would only be fair for K Ixx mayor's address. -"ng to the city exei,e,ue.. i^'CXZ. ^ '""''""^"^ A rigid scrutiny on the nart „f .;. • --y person sent to the Ho'p a! fc! V'^r ''''^°"''"'^- »f P°or Asylu,n on account ofTl e ci^ u ^""'^'' ''"'' ">'> earned oue,to:see that none but If ""''' ''" '■'^"'"b' 2 Halifax are charged agains ' he Uv TV^ ""'-"»' the greater portion of the increa,!?; '^"'' ''■'' '^fore shewn, eo.nes from the enlaro-ed elZT f "'"'" "^ '"'« J'^rs fons. so the City Cou°ne 1 Zdlr "' *"" '"""'<= '"'«'"- Ho^I'.tal, some new legislation wfll ft , 7"""'*' ""d «'y «vent of any ra,lioal chan,'es Tn , * '' ^' '*'='^''- ''"^' i" »t.tut,ons controlled by the Boa ?i T?*^"""^'" °f 'he .n- -^ »'-id be a party^to :y":it::.i,:::ttr "■-"■• ^^^ uaAivoj,,, TO THE comyrr op- Halifax- -"-rrn:?;::, t:-^- 4r the e^^^ ^>e foru,atio„ of th': C L^ H ^ ""^^''^^-'^T- Before »a« largely indebted to the count'" """"y' "'« «ty ■'taten,ent made to the counts r^'-,""'' "'" ^'■'"- ^"ancial showed an alleged balance fs-o'vf, '" ,"" "'"^» "'• '^^O >»outh owing smm. But tl e . '" ''•' "■« "i'J- "art- >* Hal.fa. and Dartn.outh lid th!;r- ^''t'"™' '*--' ''-t -"'-' have had a .surplus !;«'' :'; ^'"-^ t'>o county ^" ^«.^^. the city balance had ' "■^^^'"■^• '"outh balance toSlooO* wlj l"'"^™ *" -^^rosi. the Dart- « ^304. On 1st January ss/'L'r^' ^"''P'"^ ■"'='■--<' '<> county council reported d^e deb 'du bvT "™""""*'^ "^ ">« ^-JfuebythecitytobeSiSOSe, Ixxi MAYOKS ADDKESS. — TT^iT^iv^hir^ted the county assessment For some tame '^^"'(j,'^ „,er to the county treasurer, usmg rates, and had not paid them ov^ ^^^ ^^^^^^j ^,„„g them tor city P";P°f „/" '^^eial monies, without the use on county, city, school -"^ p- J- „,^^ , ,, ,„ow ofwhich, the city treasurer would h ^ ^^.^^^ ^„ „„ ^„ the interest coupons and oth pres ^^^ ^ ^^^^ ^^^_ aelault, and the '^^X^^^'' f'°"' *^ "^^ '""' ments. Durvng 1882 the cou. y ^^ ,,,„, „er S43405 nrostly P'-f ^ . o rowin- torn the bank. But „( aehentures and partly ^V "\; ,^, rfose o£ 1883 the „„tu-ithsta,rdi„g thrs 1»S» P^^;™!, p,y,„e„ts to the eKtent eity was brougl>t m '''^^^910,^ h P y^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ,„ „,, t.f S184'50 were made that yeai. county conmiittee t^ ^884 a.-e*19517^ hut d^p.;^^^^^^^^ ,„eged » «-^"1 St-; we have t,>e toUown.g :- arrears of «2o*8.. ...$+3405 Paid the county treasurer m 1^»«- ■ • ■ • ■ ■ j.,^50 1X84 ^"^^^ Alleged arrears ' ' ' ' ' S10«.8o4 Total f 1S83 the City Treasurer is Under the Assessment Act ot 1 • .^„„ ,eeeived bound to pay weekly to *e """f^; Though the city was bv the city collector for county rat.. ^^^^^^,„^, „„ed cLpelled to pay every do to »' ^ ,„ent ot ,ts ,Ud Dartmouth has so Ear succe^sfU^, ^^^ ^^ ^^,.j.^^ to the county. H the ^7;"'"c„„„ty Treasury would have Dartmouth were successful the 00 J ^ ^.^,,„^,d to aClus of nearly «20^00, and ^;^«^,, ^^.^^ Ha" almost that extent. But as ^^^ *V^ " of assets the city bas «^ ^^"^^ source. "t^ Jxxii Jt is the opinion of s u " — -'^■>^:r ,^n::t- " 'Sr^^r'- -■ -^ -.con ""■mcpalitie, throughout hf P •^'"'""^^ "^^ '^^ «ove al «""- this Act th. Co„„ty of Haw"""' " *='^"''«'^d. ^d «>e amount allege,! to be due b^ h •? "'"P"^"'' "> -^^-nand ">«'fa vvith interest. If tl" «f n ""^ '" ^"^ ^"""al i„,tal a.no>^.t is correct this wH a^^,,,*"'',™!' » »*6ed that t next five year,- assessments. """' *«'°"<' '» -eh of the The city valuations hav,. )^ « at a .nueh ,-reater rJ- f, ''" *" ^^^ral years , , • which ti, ^ ^'"^ ">an those of fb^ fJi'ea.sing tiiat It ,s not ten per cent „f .r"""'"" « so absurdly few Portionate mode nf , i •' ""^ "hole- Som» f • wonl.l 1 • valuat on shonU i ® ™"' P™- r .''^ J«^t '0 the city r,T '"'"™'' "t -vl ich "°"""'"- •^^ '■" ""'"^y values are mere J o"t.s,de the province. Und rthr: "''^ "°"""- a.^ "l Lea ""■'-^e county Should pay i"'SrV:r°:*^°«» vuu. A good mayor's address. Ixxiii Y^ intcUU M"i" share P Section i^' and leniand "istaJ. at the of the many patients have been and are now in the Hospital for the Insane at the public expense, who should be paid for by- friends. The time has arrived when the City of Halifax should be separated from the County of Halifax, but if this cannot be effected the city might keep its own insane patients in Mount Hope, by which change some thousands of dollars will be saved. Some S30,000 has recently been expended on the county court house, $20,000 of which is a debenture debt created, the interest of which is paid by the city in the same proportion as other county indebtedness, viz: over 90 percent, of the whole nett expenditure. While the City Council and officials are obliged to work in a contracted, unhealthy and badly situated building, a standing disgrace to the coiporation, the county council and officials are located in a superior building, with aiuple accommodation, a beautiful situation and every convenience, nearly all of which has been effected at the cost of the city tax-payers. THE DRY DOCK. A continuous amtation for the construction of a Graving Dock has been kept up for over five years, during which period the almost unanimous expression of sentiments on the part of the Chamber of Commerce, the press, and the general public has been in favor of carrying out the provision of the Act of 1881, Chapter 28. This Act authorized the City of Halifax to enter into an agreement with any company with a capital of not less than $750,000 to construct and operate a Graving or Dry Dock in the City of Halifax, and for the pay- ment to any such company, an annual subsidy not exceeding $10,000 for a period not exceeding 20 years. The City Coun- cil has recently proposed conditional terms to the Halifax Graving Dock Company, organized in London m conformity with the English Joint Stock Companies' Act. The Donnnion Government has given a like subsidy for a like time, and it is ^ \ t ixxiv mayor's address. expected, in fact promised, that the Imperial Government which had offered a subsidy of £1,000 per annum for 20 ycare, will join with the Dominion and City and give £2,000 per annum. It is too soon to speak of this great undertaking as assured but unless something unforseen interposes the long talked of establishment of a Dry Dock will soon be added to the equip- ments of the port of Halifax. A careful consideration is asked to the report of the City Engineer on the St. John's, New- foundland dock, which appeals elsewhere in this annual report. SHORT LINE RAILWAY. No apology is needed for keeping this subject before the public of Halifax, for Committees of the City Council have for years co-operated with Committees of the Chamber of Commerce in endeavoring to secure a shorter comuiorcial connection with the great western entrepots of Canadian trade. Experience has proved that the Intercolonial Railway cannot fulfil the ])romises and hopes of Confederation, and though that great road has done wonders for inter-Canadian trade, it comes far short of expectation as an extension of the Canada Pacific Railway to the Maritime ports. The selection of the southern route by the Dominion Parliament at its last session is believed by some eminent authorities to be a great error, but notwithstanding the choice made it is not at all cer- tain that this route will be adopted. The interests of Halifax as well as of the whole country demand that the " shortest and best" route shall be chosen, and no influence which can be made to operate should be left untried to bring about the desired end. Surveys of the missing links should bo carried out to give proper data. Correspondence is still being con- ducted with influential parties, aid an agitation is in progress which it is hoped will not be without its legitimate fruits. The subject of Halifax being one of the outlets for the C. P. lerests of subject wi| There affaiv^. ^^1 review tent my^^ •i«X9taBWgfSBtBIBtR.:: mayor's address. Ixxv I'nent rears,, per Railway is a vital one for the commercial and financial in- terests of our city. Mr. Keatinj^'s report and letter on this subject will be found elsewhere. [lied • I of [nip. Iced lew- lual IN GENERAL. There are other subjects of interest in connection with city affairs, to which special reference should be made, but as this review has already gone beyond reasonable limits, I will con- tent myself with hurriedly mentioning them. LIQUOR LICENSES. The laws regulating the issue of licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors are not in a satisfactory state. During a portion of the year, there was a conflict between Municipal, Provincial and Dominion Laws, and after causing no end of trouble, the latter are at present in a state of supension, pend- ing an appeal to the Privy Council as to their legality. In the meantime the city license laws are being carried out, there being nearly 200 licenses so far issued this year. An agitation is now going on with the view of adopting the Scott Act in Halifax. Seeino- that the future of this branch of the civic revenue is in such an uncertain condition, I will reserve remarks on the defects of the present city laws till another occasion. GREEN MARKET. While there are several markets for country produce in various parts of the city, a suitable green market is greatly needed for the near-by country people who come to the city on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with their small garden and barn yard stuff for sale. The present mode of occupying the road- ways and sidewalks of two or three public thoroughfares, is an interruption to the business and traffic of the streets around the Custom House and Post Office. Besides this, it is pitiful on stormy day.s to see so many country people, especially women K Ixxvi MAYOR S ADDRESS. and cliiltlrcn, exposed to rai.; and tempest without shelter of any kin-^i. If the Imperial authorities could be induced to exchange the fuel yard for some other city property, this market difficulty would be in a fair way for solution. THE FISH MARKET. The fish market which was in years gone by, one of the in stitutions of Halifax has sadly deteriorated of late, the trade having spread over several localities along the water side, and in some branches, notably that of salmon and shad, may be found, contrary to strict interpretation of law, all over the city. Licensed fish dealers complain that grocers are allowed to sell salmon without taking out licensss. It is not generally known that fishermen can occupy stalls in the fish market on payment of a small fee. They are not allowed to sell from boat or barrow. The ordinances regulating sale of fresh fish, need revision and modifvin*;, as street hawkinjj which is for- bidden by law, has become a great public convenience. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, &;C. Officials of the Dominion Government exercise authority and supervision over weights and measures. The law i-elating to weighing of bread, has been carried out and so far as can be ascertained by occasional visits of the deputy marshal to bakers' shops, good weight is the rule. Measuring of coal, salt and grain, is still carried out by city measurers, whose standards are approved and stamped by the Dominion officials. . Some difficulties have arisen between the weighers of flour and several dealers who refuse to pay the city fees, and proceedings are being taken in court by the City Recorder to compel pay- ment. CATTLE POUNDS. Complaints are frequently made about cattle and horses being allowed to go at large in the suburban streets, especially mayor's address. Ixxvii in the south west and north west portions of the city. Besides being a source of danger to ehihh-en, tliey destroy young shade trees and do other injury. Proper pounds both north and south are a necessity, and should be provided. REGISTRATION OP DOGS. No civic ordinance is so systematically defied as the regis- tration of dogs. Notwithstanding the penalty for keeping unregistered animals, it is probable that not one-fourth of the dogs infesting our streets are registered. There is great diffi- culty in identifying owners of dogs. Cases of vicious dogs attacking children and grown people occur often enough to call for repression. The present state of the law overridden as it is by Dominion Statutes respecting cruelty to animals, renders the destruction of ownerless and unregistered dogs somewhat difficult. IMPROVEMENTS OF SURROUNDINGS. Our city would be greatly improved in appearance if every citizen would take a pride in the surroundings of his dwelling and vicinity. Shabby fences, rickety picketings, broken tree boxes might be fixed up, enclosures open to the street planted with a few flowers and kept clean and tidy. A liberal use of paint, lime and whitewash would effect a revolution, and after a beginning is made by some public-spirited citizen, the desire to improve surroundings would grow. The example of the few would spread to the many, and in a short time a total change in some localities would be manifest. In the centre of the city especially, every citizen is bound to keep the sidewalk clean and free from obstructions. Tufts of grass should be cleared from all paved sidewalks and anything offensive removed. City employees clean the streets from gutter to gutter, let the citizens do the rest and we shall have a cleaner, tidier city. Any person ^^facing fences and walls by affixing placards, \ Ixxviii mayor's addess. bills or posters, without th^ consent of the owner, is liable to fine and inipriHonnicnt. The defacement of fences, &c., in this way should bo resisted by property owners as it is a disfi^aire- ment and an injury. DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. Parents and school teachers should strive to impress upon children the wickedness of damaging and destroying trees, fences, empty houses, &c. It is discouraging to citizens to have newly painted fences, houses, tree boxes, defaced and destroyed, trees with their branches twisted and cut, windows in vacant houses broken and the interior fittings stolen. These crimes, especially in boys, who are the chief transgressors, are generally the result of parental neglect. If every citizen would consider himself a special policeman to prevent such destruction of property, by ascertaining the authors, and promptly reporting them to the police, the evil would }>e speedily met and cured. Til Stl"''' ordiil jail. carril Fi| Alii' tilUi: law. kno\ STREET WALKERS. Troops of young girls are allowed by parents to loam the streets at all hours of the day and night, and many of them are thus led astray from the paths of virtue. The police have been instructed to report these girls to their parents and have them taken off the streets. STREET ARABS. Even more plentiful than the girls, are gangs of boys prowl- ing over the city, many of them perhaps truants from school. The amount of crime among boys of tender age is simply appalling. When the compulsory school act goes into opera- tion it is to be hoped that these " Arabs of the street" will be compelled to spend their time mora to the present safety and future advantage of the community than their present occu- pation promises, ■■:M-,' mayor's ADDIIESS, Ixxix MINOKS SMOKING. The police have orders toprohil.it minors smoking- in the streets, and any minor found guilty of the bieach^'of this ordinance is liable to be arrested, fined or sent to the county jail. It would be satisfactory to know that this ordinance la carried out. SABBATH DESEC^KATION. Frequent complaints have been made by the Evangelical Alliince and other religious bodies tlmt the Sabbatl". wa's con- tinually violated by the opening of small shops in defiance of law, and as the police report that intoxicating liquors are known to be illicitly sold in some of these shops the City Marshal has been directed to notify the shop-keepers that the city laws and ordinances forbid their opening on Sundays, After one oi- two warnings persons wilfully setting the law at defiance are summoned and fined. Some persons have the only entrance to their houses thi-ough their shops, but the law is only carried into operation in well proved cases of Sunday selling. HACKS AND CABS. Old established hack and cab owners complain of the exces- sive number of licenses issued to new comers, and they think in the interests of the citizens the number should be limited. Close supervision should be exercised over all licensed hack- men, so that any who misconduct themselves should be weeded out of the ranks. Special objections are made to the issue of licenses to some persons who have no plant to carry on the business through the year, but who turn out only in the winter, during good sleighing, with a small single sleigh, and thus cut into the fares of regular pcnnanent hackmen who follow their calling the year round. Licensed hackmen should lie prohibited from allowing their hacks to be used in taking cases of contagious diseases from houses in the city to the hospital, and should be especially forbidden to turn their hacks into hearses for children's funerals. The proposal of J0^ ^ Ixsx mayor's address. iii.- the Committee on Hacks and Trucks to have a regular plan of stands with settled numbers for hackmen, etc., is a move in the right direction, and will obviate much trouble and remove a source of irritation. CONCLUSION. I would consider myself to be derelect in my duty did I not bear testimony to the work of the various religious, bene- volent, charitable and temperance societies of our city. I would specially refer to the Protestant and Roman Catholic Orphanages, Halifax Visiting Dispensary, Protestant Industrial School, Roman Catholic Reformatory, St. Paul's Alms House, School for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb Institution, Old Ladies' Home, Infants' Home, Home for Friendless Women, all of which are doing a noble work among the several classes for which they are founded. The thanks of the friends of the poor and destitute are due to the managers and visitors of the Association for Relief of the Poor, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Volunteer Aid Fund, also to the various church organizations, which care for the sick and needy. No less worthy are the aims and operations ot the National S icieties — the North British, Charitable Iridi and St- George's — also the British Veterans' Society. And there are other and similar organizations working among their own members and families who require help and sympathy. Were it not for the systematic and never wearyino- work of those societies and organizations, the sufierings of the helpless and destitute classes would be appalling, especially during the winter months. The outlay of time and money to carry on the noble work of organized charity is very great, and it is a matter of thankfulness to God that so many devoted men and women have it in their hearts and hands to enjjfaae in this the noblest of occupations. Notwithstanding the world-wide depression, our city is improving and extendirg, enterprises are multiplying and increasing, the great maii.s of ourcit'zensare more comfortably off than ever before. As our institutions and enterprises ■jMW^^at' mayor's address. Ixxxi a is IS increase our responsibilities become greater and call for larger sacrifices of time and closer attention on the part of those who devote themselves to the public business and interest. The age is one of advancement, great industrial enterprises, extensive public works have arisen, and are projected in our midst or in our vicinity, better connections by sea and land with other communities are being agitated for, and it is lo be hoped that when the period of almost universal depression passes away Halifax will take a great step forward in the path of material prospei'ity. In the n'.eantime it is our dut}' as guardians and conserva- tors of the public interests to do all that lies in onr power to make our city what it should be — as the commercial and financial metropolis of the Maritime Provinces. As a British cnnimnnitv devotedly attached to the great and mighty Empire, of which we form no insignificant a part, our dutj^ should be so ^o conduct our civic affairs as to be worthy of our connection with the glorious British Empire and its greatest dependency the Dominion of Canada. In conclusion, I would express my thankfulness to the members of the City Council, who have been so assiduous in their attention to their duties as aldermen, and to their con- sideration and support to the mayor; also to the city officials for the manner in which they have discharged taeir duties to the CorporatioVi. Trusting that the current year will enable us to bring to a successful ending some of the important subjects which have for years been before this and previous councils, I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, J. C. Mackintosh, 1.1 ay or. Halifax, October, 1SS5