Special attention was given during the year to the repairing and improving of the roads and paths on the Reservation, under the direction and advice of the Landscape Architect. A large amount of concrete curbing was constructed, some roads were widened and others made narrower, in order to conform with the plans of the architect, new paths were laid out, roads and parkages resurfaced and rolled and crosswalks raised, as set forth in detail in the Report of the Superintendent. The care of the many miles of roads and walks on the Reservation is one of the most important phases of the work there, and constant vigilance must be exercised by the Superintendent and his assistants, and much money expended every year, in order to attain the high degree of efficiency which is aimed at. BEAUTIFYING THE PARK. One of the most important features of the service rendered by the Consulting Landscape Architect during the year was the directing and supervising of the work of planting shrubbery and trees and improving the lawns on the grounds of the Reservation, and in every way possible developing and adding to the natural beauties of the Park. As described in detail in the Report of the Superintendent, several hundred evergreens and other ornamental trees and shrubs have been set out in the Park, and large quantities of grass seed planted. This work has been done in such a way as to produce a most attractive and artistic effect, while at the same time giving better and more advantageous views of the Falls at various points. GENERAL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS. The general maintenance work, in addition to the work on the roads and walks and the planting of trees and shrubs, has been carried on by the Superintendent and his assistants in a manner most gratifying to the Commissioners. The Administration Building has been gone over, walls and ceilings plastered and painted, woodwork varnished, furniture cleaned and varnished, plumbing put in order, hot water heating plant put in, and a private telephone system installed which has connection with outside lines, and effects a saving of thirty-three dollars per year in the cost of teleph plumbing has bec walls of elevator the woodwork an fences, bridges, New drinking f stalled and new When account various building NE At a meeting ginning of the la Riverway lightin time be installed more accessible fifteen hundred available by the appropriation fr Meachem were a The Committee i meeting of the C report was accep ceed with the wo under the advice was speedily car evening of Janu switch which sent Riverway lighting way between Nia Winds and Three twelve clusters o shedding a brillia fying and much m twelve hundred amount of the es the cost of telephone service. At the shelter on Goat Island the plumbing has been repaired and rooms painted and varnished, the walls of elevator structure painted with white cement paint, and the woodwork and floors in this and other places, and the benches, fences, bridges, etc., outside, painted and put in good condition. New drinking fountains and sprinkling hydrants have been installed and new cables put on elevators. When account is taken of the thousands of visitors who use the various buildings and the grounds of the Reservation, the importance and necessity of frequent repairs and renovation is realized, and the need of constant watching and supervision by the resident staff. NEW ORNAMENTAL LIGHTING SYSTEM. At a meeting of the Commissioners held shortly before the beginning of the last fiscal year, it was voted that a new system of Riverway lighting which had been under consideration for some time be installed after October 1, 1912, in order to make the Falls more accessible to the public at night, the cost not to exceed fifteen hundred dollars, the amount to be paid out of the funds available by the Commission, rather than to ask for a special appropriation from the Legislature. Commissioners Cary and Meachem were appointed a Committee to carry out this project. The Committee rendered a report and submitted their plans at a meeting of the Commissioners held on November 13, 1912, which report was accepted and approved, and authority granted to proceed with the work in accordance with the plans submitted, and under the advice of the Consulting Landscape Architect. The work was speedily carried to completion, and at eight o'clock on the evening of January 15, 1913, Commissioner Cary threw the switch which sent the current flashing through this new decorative Riverway lighting system. The lights were installed on the Riverway between Niagara and Falls streets, and at the Cave of the Winds and Three Sisters buildings. The system is composed of twelve clusters of high power arc lamps on tall iron columns, shedding a brilliant luster along the Riverway, and is a most gratifying and much needed improvement. The cost incurred was only twelve hundred dollars-three hundred dollars less than the amount of the estimate. [ASSEMBLY 14 APPOINTMENT OF CONSULTING LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT GEORGE E. KESSLER. Mr. George E. Kessler, of St. Louis, a widely known and exceptionally able landscape architect, was engaged at about the beginning of the fiscal year covered by this report, as already stated, to direct the work of beautifying and improving Loop Pond. After the completion of his engagement for this special work it was decided, at a meeting of the Commissioners held at the close of the year, that Mr. Kessler be appointed Consulting Landscape Architect, to serve without compensation at his own suggestion, and to receive payment only for his actual expenses incurred in the prosecution of his work. The resolution under which Mr. Kessler was appointed reads as follows: That, Whereas Mr. George E. Kessler has been for a time in active association with the Commissioners as Consulting Landscape Architect, and is familiar with the development work which is now in progress and with the broader plans for the future, it is hereby Voted, That Mr. George E. Kessler be and he is hereby appointed Consulting Architect of the Commissioners of the State Reservation at Niagara, with the understanding, in accordance with the very generous and public-spirited offer of Mr. Kessler, that he serve without compensation, receiving only his actual expenses. THE NAMING OF DOW VIEW. At a meeting of the Commissioners held at the State Reservation on May 19, 1913, the following resolution was presented by Commissioner Howland, and unanimously adopted: WHEREAS, The point at the northwestern end of the Reservation has been extended and beautified, and made one of its most attractive features during the administration of President Dow, and under his personal direction, it is Voted, That this section be hereafter known as Dow View, and that in taking this action his fellow Commissioners desire to make a lasting recognition of the zeal, energy, enthusiasm and efficiency which have marked the entire period of service which Mr. Dow has given to the people of New York in the responsible position which he has held. Mr. John efficiently an peared befor 1913, and p To the Com ing the earn me to make and automo (The pri and twentyGuide and It was V appointed a at a later m be 20 cents At the 1 that no veh on spots du and that al at all park and picking stored in th Printed giving info directions necessary. folders whi hausted, tw RESERVATION CARRIAGE SERVICE. Mr. John C. Level, who for many years has carried on most efficiently and satisfactorily the Reservation Carriage Service, appeared before the Commissioners at a meeting held on May 19, 1913, and presented the following letter: To the Commissioners of the State Reservation: Labor conditions and the increased cost of maintenance of the Reservation Carriage Service have about doubled without increasing the earnings. In view of these conditions I ask you to allow me to make a uniform price of twenty-five cents for both carriage and automobile. Very respectfully, JOHN C. LEVEL, General Manager. (The price hitherto charged has been fifteen cents for carriages and twenty-five cents for automobiles, as stated in the Reservation Guide and Folder.) It was Voted that Commissioners Kingsford and Meachem be appointed a Committee, with power, to act on this request, and at a later meeting it was reported by the Committee that the prices be 20 cents for carriages and 25 cents for automobiles. At the latter meeting a new ordinance was passed providing that no vehicle of any kind should stand on the Riverway, except on spots duly authorized for such purposes by the Superintendent, and that all vehicles must drive to the right; also that the curbs at all parkages must be kept clear, and are for the discharging and picking up of passengers only, and that all vehicles must be stored in the parkages. THE NEW DESCRIPTIVE FOLDERS. Printed guide-books for the use of visitors to Niagara Falls. giving information concerning the various points of interest and directions as to how they may be reached, are of course very necessary. Therefore, when the supply of the old descriptive folders which had been in use for a number of years became exhausted, two of the Commissioners were appointed a Committee to arrange for a new supply. After careful consideration of the samples furnished and the estimates submitted, a contract was made with the Matthews-Northrup Company, of Buffalo, N. Y., for 200,000 copies of a sixteen-page illustrated folder (size when folded 614 by 311⁄2 inches) at a total cost of one thousand dollars for preparation and printing, to be divided between the Reservation and the three concessionaires two hundred and fifty dollars each each to receive 50,000 copies. The face of the folder contains a brief outline of the founding and extent of the New York State Reservation and the Canadian Reservation, the places of historical interest, and the location, volume and height of the Falls, as well as items of general information. A page each is devoted to the Reservation Carriage Service, the "Maid of the Mist" trip, and the Cave of the Winds, with information as to the service rendered and full details regarding prices, etc., the folders being so arranged as to give special prominence to each of these attractions in the particular set of 50,000 folders supplied to the respective concessionaires. The reverse side of the folder bears a new map showing the Niagara River and the New York and Canadian Reservations, with the location of the different Falls, the islands, the International boundary line, and all other points of interest clearly indicated. This map is accompanied by a brief description of the chief views from the Reservation, both from the mainland and from the Islands, printed in English, French, German and Italian. Мар Taking into consideration the limitations of size and the moderate expense involved, it is generally conceded that this "Map and Guide of the New York State Reservation at Niagara " contains in a very clear, convenient and concise form just the information that is needed by the tourist, to enable him to enjoy all the beauties and attractions of Niagara Falls with the most efficient expenditure of time and money. A reprint of the Reservation Folder appears as an appendix to this Report. ANOTHER ICE BRIDGE AND A DRY NIAGARA. On February 4, 1913, a new ice bridge was formed in the Niagara River, on the anniversary of the tragic death of Mr. and Mrs. El land, wh last year practical of Goat The Fall of Niaga shoe Fall when the came to v dress, but the terrib to above, held in N go out on enacted al companies over the A ice jam by Among t Architect K the bank of and at a m 1913, the f VOTED: T Architect for Niagara Riv that such dri PETITION FO In Februa A. F. Eells, a at Goat Islan This Bill, kno "An Act g struct a dam a |