The great mass of people surging about Prospect Point made it necessary to rope off a section of the point so that the weaker would not be crowded over the rail into the water. The spray from the Falls blowing over Prospect Point keeps the grass moist and some times very wet. The great mass of people tramping over the wet grass every evening in addition to the crowds of the daytime, wears out the grass much more rapidly than it can grow and I fear that should the illumination be resumed the point will be entirely denuded. CAVE OF THE WINDS. The Cave of the Winds privilege is still leased to George W. Wright under whose able management it is increasing in popularity each year. I trust the time is not far distant when an elevator will be installed at this point, the revenue from which would quickly reimburse the State for the expenditure made. RESERVATION, CARRIAGES. The Reservation Carriage Service under the control of John C. Level has been conducted as heretofore on a very liberal basis; the patrons showing the greatest satisfaction with the service rendered. MAID OF THE MIST. Owing to the accident to the inclined railway the amount of business done by the Maid of the Mist Steamboat Company was much less than usual. The management, however, maintained its service up to the standard for the accommodation of such people as cared to make the laborious climb down and up the stairway. NUMBER OF VISITORS. The number of visitors to Niagara was much less than last year, probably on account of the backward season. We estimate that about one million people visited the Reservation during the year. GENERAL. There have been fourteen arrests made upon the Reservation, nine for public intoxication, two for disorderly conduct and three for violation of the ordinances of the Commission. During the fiscal year there have been seven suicides and one attempted suicide. Five bodies have been recovered from the river, only two of which were those of the suicided above mentioned. Two carriage drivers have been excluded for violating the ordinances. FUNDS NEEDED. I recommend that the State Legislature be requested to furnish the following: For maintenance. For repairs to bridges. $30,000 00 8,000 00 And such additional amount as will be necessary to replace the Inclined Railway with a suitable method of transporting visitors from one level to the other at that point. RECEIPTS. The receipts during the fiscal year were as follows: Total... Lessee Cave of the Winds. Lessee Maid of the Mist. Reservation Carriage Service Total.. $548 65 162 70 53 40 352 80 987 95 609 85 $2,715 35 1,500 00 600 00 100 00 $4,915 35 All of which has been paid into the Treasury of the State. Respectfully submitted, EDWARD H. PERRY, |