Such an examination was made on May 9th, both departments being represented, and we were informed that with certain minor repairs the railway could be operated with safety up to November 1, 1907.

The repairs suggested were made and operations resumed May 19th.

ACCIDENT AT INCLINED RAILWAY.

At about 11:30 a. m., July 6th, when there were two people on the south car and three on the north car of the Inclined Railway, the large manila cable parted about eighty-five feet from the south car after the car had descended about one hundred feet.

By the breaking of the manila cable all of the weight was transferred to the safety device which was not strong enough to hold the load, although it had been designed to hold both cars fully loaded.

When the safety device broke the cars dashed down the incline and were wrecked at the bottom.

In the south car were Peter Inda and Miss Veronica Olszewiska, both of Buffalo, Mr. Inda was so severely injured that he died about six hours later. Miss Olszewiska was badly cut about the head, lost several teeth and had an arm fractured. She recovered sufficiently to return to her home August 3d.

In the north car were Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Burks and small son of Covington, Kentucky; Mrs. Burks sustained fractures to two or three ribs and a slight cut over the eye, Mr. Burks a sprained ankle, while the son escaped injury. The Burks returned to their home in Kentucky July 16th.

The cars were so badly wrecked that they were beyond repair and were afterward destroyed.

The railway building was at once closed to the public until such time as a thorough examination could be made. The stairway was found to be in safe condition, but as a precaution it was extensively strengthened before the people were allowed to use it. Realizing that a great many visitors would walk up and down the stairway during the summer, four platforms with seats were built over the railway and entrances to same provided that the people might rest while making the trip.

After the accident the State Architect at our request sent an expert to examine the railway and report as to the advisability of building new cars and resuming operations.

He reported that it would be unsafe to use any portion of the existing structure or machinery and as a consequence the railway has not been operated since the accident.

As the reports of the State Architect and State Engineer, submitted in May, stated that the structure would be safe only until November 1st, even the stairway has been closed since that date.

ACCIDENT AT THE CAVE OF THE WINDS.

Mr. Robert M. Dixon of Meridian, Mississippi, and a party of friends made a trip through the Cave of the Winds at about five o'clock in the afternoon of July 6th. Mr. Dixon was in advance of the party and stopped just outside of the Cave to wait for the balance of the party. While standing near the cliff a piece of shale rock became detached and fell, striking him on the head, severely fracturing the skull. He was immediately removed to the hospital where his injury was attended to.

Before returning to his home Mr. Dixon executed a release in favor of the lessee of the Cave of the Winds and the Commissioners, a copy of which is on file.

ILLUMINATION OF THE FALLS.

The city of Niagara Falls, in conjunction with the railroads and street car company, installed three batteries of searchlights on the Canadian side of the river and illuminated the Falls of Niagara during the month of September. The lights were so arranged that different colors could be thrown upon the Falls. The illumination lasted usually from eight until nine thirty o'clock each evening. As a consequence thousands of people thronged the Reservation nightly. To preserve order, extra police protection was required. The Mayor of the city detailed two plain clothes men and three in uniform to assist us while all of our officers were required to be on duty during the illumination.

Should the plans of the Mayor be carried out, the illumination will be repeated next summer, in which event it will be necessary for us to increase our police force to safeguard the people.

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.