SAFETY NETTING. Heavy iron wire netting has been securely fastened to the guard railing about Prospect Point and on the bridges at the Three Sister Islands that children may not fall through into the river. NEW ROAD. The road leading from the Inclined Railway along the river to the foot of Falls street has been abandoned. The territory formerly occupied by it has been seeded and planted to trees, and a new road built which skirts the pond and connects with the Rapids Drive. This not only gives us much needed additional territory but also eliminates a very dangerous section of roadway at a point where an accident to an automobile might cause loss of life. NEW TRAIL. A new trail has been constructed along the water's edge on Goat Island from the entrance to Luna Island Bridge by which many beautiful views heretofore inaccessible are thrown open to the public. INCLINED RAILWAY. In my last report information was given that the Inclined Railway could not be properly rebuilt with the funds available and a recommendation was made to secure at least $25,000 additional. Efforts were made to secure such additional funds from the Legislature, but without success. The State Architect was then requested to remodel his plans so that the construction could be accomplished within the amount of funds provided. As the State Engineer and State Architect had declared that it would be unsafe to operate the railway after the beginning of the winter of 1906-7 it was closed down December 24th. There being no possibility of being able to rebuild before fall, the State Architect and State Engineer were requested to have the railway and structure examined and report if same could be safely used during the summer months when the danger from ice had passed. 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. 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: Inclined Railway, month of October, 1906... Inclined Railway, month of December, 1906.. Inclined Railway, month of May, 1907... Inclined Railway, month of June, 1907.. Inclined Railway, month of July, 1907... 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, |