Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

priation of that sum for the purpose and it was made at the last session. The Commissioners having plans and specifications prepared by the State Architect, advertised for bids in the manner provided by law, and mailed notices to different contractors who could undertake such work. The only bid made was informal and beyond the appropriation by several thousand dollars. The work was readvertised with the result that the lowest bid was $35,640 not including wiring for lights and heating, plumbing and grading, and the cost of new machinery and cars, all which will add at least $14,500 to the cost of the building under these circumstances. An urgency appropriation should be made of at least $25,000 for this improvement. The necessity for this will be seen when it is considered that the railway is paying to the State substantially one thousand dollars per month in revenue and must be closed till the improvement is made.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

On this subject we repeat what we have said before with greater emphasis, if possible. The Reservation is very inadequately lighted at night because we have heretofore been unable to obtain. an appropriation to install the necessary apparatus for distributing the electricity. We have an abundance of the electric current already conducted to the grounds, and ready to be delivered free of charge by the Niagara Falls Power Company. We are paying six hundred dollars per annum for inadequate lighting to a private corporation when, with an outlay of $12,000, for a permanent and lasting improvement, the grounds could be beautifully illuminated. There were more than a million people visiting Niagara the last year and very many of them visit the Reservation at night. Thou sands are there only for the evening and our alowance for policing being insufficient to afford entire protection the lighting becomes of highest importance, both as a protection and an aid to the public, for whose pleasure the park was established, in seeing the cataract at night.

A niggardly economy in providing for the care of a park which has no equal for grandeur in the world does not reflect credit upon the Empire State. Common business considerations demand the expenditure of such a sum as a matter of profitable investment.

=

With no better light than we now have there will be a saving of five per cent. on the investment, a good business enterprise. But the result will in fact be far superior to the present condition.

MAINTENANCE.

Why there should be a continued inadequate provision for the maintenance of this Reservation is not apparent. No State property or institution is so insufficiently provided with funds for this purpose in proportion to actual needs. Only $25,000 per annum has been provided with which to meet the expense of paying Superintendent's salary, employees, maintaining miles of roads and pathways, caring for grass, trees and shrubs on 107 acres of land, lighting, heating, repairs and incidentals that are inevitable, and of this $15,171.40 has been paid back to the State in twelve months ending September 30, 1906, being revenue from concessions on the Reservation with the income from the Railway.

The roads are of dirt of a soft nature and easily worn, having never been permanently improved for want of any appropriation therefor, and the travel upon them with automobiles and carriages is very destructive. No adequate maintenance of the Reservation can be had for less than $40,000 per year, and that sum should be appropriated.

MEMORIAL TO MR. GREEN AND MR. WELCH.

The Commissioners have deemed it appropriate that some enduring recognition should be made of the eminent services of the late Honorables Andrew H. Green and Thomas V. Welch, in connection with the establishment, improvement and subsequent care of the Reservation for many years. To their untiring and efficient labors, more than to any others, the grand success of the enterprise should be credited.

In commemoration of their labors in this behalf the Commissioners, without expense to the State, have placed a modest but enduring bronze tablet in the Administration Building, properly inscribed to their memory.

BIDDLE STAIRWAY.

The walk from the Biddle Stairway to the American Falls has been changed from its former position to a course near the margin

of the river. This is a decided improvement. It makes the approach to the Fall and under the water sheet to the Cave of the Winds easier, improves the view and entirely avoids the danger of falling rocks coming from the impending cliff.

RECESSION OF THE FALLS.

Through the courtesy of Mr. H. C. Rizer, acting director of the Geological Survey for the United States Government, we are able to give some interesting data and pictures with a map made by that Department which enable one to compare the present with conditions existing nearly seventy years ago.

This map shows the outline of the crest of the Falls as found by surveys made in 1842, 1875, 1886, 1890 and 1905. Some discredit is thrown upon the map of 1842 as to the then outline at Prospect Point, but in the main it is doubtless substantially correct. The most noticeable change is that which occurred between 1875 and 1886, at what may now be called the apex of the Horseshoe Fall where the change indicated is 200 feet recession in eleven years. Since that date the recession has been comparatively small at the apex, but has been considerable to the westward. The. retrogression, though far from uniform, would seem to average about five feet per year.

The picture of the Horseshoe Fall, made by Captain Hall in 1827, with the camera lucida should be compared with the photograph made in 1886 to get an idea of the action of the water in producing the recession and its progress.

The pictures and map give some indication that the Horseshoe is returning to its former shape.

We transmit herewith the reports of the Secretary and Treasurer, and of the Superintendent for the year ending September 30, 1906.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

ESTIMATED RECEIPTS.

The receipts for the next fiscal year are estimated to be as

[blocks in formation]

As I differ from certain of the conclusions set forth in the foregoing report and cannot consistently concur in some of its recommendations, my signature and approval are both withheld.

ALEXANDER J. PORTER.

*Dependent entirely upon time consumed in securing funds for, and rebuilding the erminal station, railway and cover for same.

[graphic][merged small]
« ZurückWeiter »