The New York Herald Newspaper, June 14, 1871, Page 14

Page views left: 0

You have reached the hourly page view limit. Unlock higher limit to our entire archive!

Subscribers enjoy higher page view limit, downloads, and exclusive features.

Text content (automatically generated)

14 tered. put it has been improved and ker & ton by plaunag buses aad beds of ho {4.12 cond Py ™ MOUNT MORAKIS SQUARE. lonnt Morris square. the great pul Jem, and one of ie most beaatilut fd page Se the istand for capabilities of orna Sait hoa bm ceived a lange share of conside 4 e- cnet landscape gariener, Mr. p ola 2 . tt to be capable o. beinz linproved pores. the roads winding up tothe -% * Very hign degree; far above the grates ofthe. -@iil in ita ceatre, rising ragrecable Gace or Fr eereces ajaccat, mate It eee eeet a wack Up Aart When tbe atinospnere tionof this upon gray 4 Will istuviting. ‘Tn Dae been neatly cone é With the surrounding that will be dific, #24, abu itis now a sp ae ee ‘ove upon. ‘The aquare Wil soon be com Ae | ae. Te ware eae den Mhe neigh orion a whout "his is butt pe there will be az charge of {2 g bark an opportunity for con aaral entrance ai Pith avenue. " HL PRIDGE PARK Wen! gage Park has been parily surveyed. and oon * 4the topographical survey of IC Is compere Me‘ aiproveuient will receive the atcention of the w ard, ———_ ucting 4 MORNINGSIDE PARK. Morningstde Park became part of the city property @bout the time this department organize lt, The nev ary Work to be pervormed at ail other points @urmeg the great heat of the last_ summer prevented ‘work unul tle Winter months, When engineers pre- pared to lay 1t out and present a map irom which to prepare a plan for its improvement. — \t tw as is well ‘known, # very dificult piece of ground to treat for purposes of a garden or public park or place, velog on aside hu! aud composed of & mass of rock, With @ small plateau at the lower end, Very expensive Work to undertake, but one that will poorly exiibit any attempted improvement, KECENTLY CONFERKED JURISDICTION, The Legislature, at Lis session just closed, enacted two important Jaws With respect Lo this deparunent. ‘Tue act In respect Lo Westchester county very largely increased the jurisdiction and duties of the board ever that county, besides Hnposing upon them the care of the bridges across the Uariem river. There is how at Work upon Macomb’s Dain Bridge a force of engineers and workmen to prevent, if possib‘e, any ULury happeung to that structure. This bride was regarded as dabgerous, and the timbers had been ying for some time, The ehtei civil 1 lopograptiteal engineer oi the department, Mr. Grant, with a@ force of competent assistants, has tis matier in charse, and no injury can happen pro- vided the rules adopted fur the use of Wie bridge, Wile unde.going the necessary repairs, stall be ovserved. Two muuictpal policemen and two parkkeepers ate stationed there, and imstracted to entorce the regulations, The greatest ¢: and cant Ibe exercised uutl tie necessary sup- ports ure placed unuer it, The Board hope to be able to put it ma conait on tha: will allow them to con-truct at this point aniven bridge aud to provide | untt! that bridge Is constructed, so that the present woouen br ag? lay be Without daog tm As Soon as ihe plans ¢ ea this department Will proceed with struction of & new bridge. THE NSION BRIDGE. | The suspension bridge authorized across the Harlem river, within hai! a sulle Higd Bridge, will svoa be ‘commenc the chief englacer (attached her Uculurs upon tls sub.¢ CONDUCTING DAILY BUSINESS. ©) gives ail necessary par- This report would not be complete withont re- | ferring wo the change that has been made in the Method of conducting Lic daily business of the de- par The omices ta which the late Commis Sluuers carried on their business were ily adapled 10 the parpose. The public hud not ready access to Ube miurmauon which should de within their reach atall times and without favor, The offices have been removed to a convenient and accessibie point, and al the same Lime so arranged as to afford the public every facthty fur information without the Blghtest diltie any one seeking knowledge on a@uy subject the control of the de. partment, or mation respecting its em- oye Is now able to procure it at all times. fhe maps of the various coniempiated improve- ments, and all informauon respecting them, can now be had without the slightest didiculty.” The system Of accounts has also bvea changed, by meaus Of which every structure and every city park bas a arate account OF Its expenditure, xo that at any cost of aay single improvement can readily ertained. The board proposes to couttiae stew, aad have disconunued the former pian of including all such expenses in one general ac- count. They think it is desirable that the paviic May be able to know what any tmprovement bas they are Willig thatthe public shonid Couirol of the Board. dn addition to aii this work the Board had to mect the diiuculues me.dent to a suminer of the greatest beat and arougit within the recollection of the old- est inhabitant, All Kinds of work Wire In @ great degree suspended, and it was aificuit to enforce rules upon labor with a summer sua ut a tempera- ture of 130 degrees. Another didiculty had to be encountered in conforming to the law of 1870, de- claring eight hours to be a day’s work, directin that all public oiticials should conform thereto, and declaring that all attempis to evade tuis law would be followea by impeachment and removal from office, Toe most materiai effect of this law was to reduce the proportion of actual resul.s in the work- ing of the department one-fifth in amount, a3 by taking two hours from the former working day of ten hours, four-fifths only of the quantity of work 4s performed for the same amount of money. This ‘Was equivalent to increasing the cost 0. maintam- Ing Central Park alone $60,000 per annum, while the appropriation for tuis purpose remaimed at $300,000, the same amount that had been found necessary Jor its maintenance during former years, when under the control o! the late Park Conimissioners, HEADS OF BUREAUS. Reports from the various hea is of bureaus within be department are hereunto attached. They were called upon to state in a brief form the works that bad engaged their attention during the past year. ‘These will be found mgnly interesting, and treat with great particularity the subjects referred to, The report of the Enguneer-in-Chief 18 especially {nteresting. The diagrams attached give a proper idea of the improvements upon the various city parks and avenues. IMPROVEMENTS EXPECTED. The Board expect, before the present season Closes, to complete all the city parks, and thereal- ter to be enabled to devote their attention more to te principal avenues already referred to—the Morn- dngsile and Riversiuve Parks, the Maprovement of Hariem river, the construction of bridges over it and the improvement of the portion of Westchester county conunitted to their jurisdiction. ‘ihey also propose to enter immediately upon the Consideration of the 1mprovements of the east side of the city authorized by the Laws of 1871, estab- lishing the Eastern Boulevard. ‘They have already prepared the necessary topographicai surveys of the city above rilty-seventh sirect aud east of the Fifth and Sixth avenues. The subject of the grades of all this section of the city, the laying out of the Eastern Boulevard, the widening 6 closing of such streets as may be con- S.dered advisable Within that district, Is one that requi 4@ great deal of consideration and judg- ment. Not oniy must the Board have the necessary surveys prepared, but also the locality of every stracture within the district laid down upon the maps submitted, in order to enable them to make Lue necessary Improvements authorized by this law. ‘They will consider this suoject during the present season, aud determine In regard to it. The question of laying out pubiic squares and places upon the east side is one that deserves aud will receive care- fu! consideration. By order of we Board, PETER B, SWEED Henry TiLtox, Treasure! Gbouce M. Vax Noxt, Clerk, ’, President. Appendix. LEGAL HISTORY OF THE JURISDICTION OF THE DB- VARTMENY OF PUBLIC PARKS. sms department began its existence "with the | Wlerest, ut tue rate of interest at which the stock | resent charter ofthe city Of New York. Its various | Might ve issued, would be $100,000. For | powers, important duues and extensive jurisdiction | We payment of this interest the Board of , were couierred and auihorized by chapter 137 of | Supervisors were directed to cause to be raised | We Laws of 170, being che charter referred to, en- tued “. ol the city 0. New York." By 10us %4, 9G and 96 Oi Wat act 1. was declared that the Department of Puolic Parks should control and manage all public parks and public places above Canal street, within the city of New York, the departinent to se under the charge of a Board, to cousist of five members Appouted by the Mayor of the city, and ali pro- Visions oF law wich provide jor the maintenance and government of Ceatral Park or grant powers | upon the Commissioners of Cen- re exisung, were applied to tie ublic Parks, thereby established, and evolve duct trai Park, there Department of gud to (he Commussioaers thereo! respective.y. By « of the Laws of the same year, being a jutocy of the charter referred to, act parks and public grounds south 0: Cana street were placed under yntrol and management of this aud all acta conferring powers and de- supon the late Board of Cojumission- ers of ¢ 4l Park were thereby Uansierred to aud cou erred upon the Department of Public Parks, and tre dep ont dto inclade i the | estate of w jor the maintenance Aad gove eta Park further sum Bs might be annually reguired therefor, together with such sum migot be necessary for we tins eral parks, roads and aven inst amend ¢ Boulevard was Ment and control of use thereot the de- and enjoy all the "dor exe A by tae of Centra he Central Nact the public 20 as to th this Departir partment Was declared 10 pos: powers posssces Lund enjoy aie | Oasd Of COMMISSION Tue elty of N 6 of the Laws ot 1853, entiiled “An act to alter t ap ol Ue cily of New York by laying out thereon @ public piace, ana to This ac aurhorize the Wasimg of Wie same. the boundaries of the Central Park, commenc Futy ng at et and extending Lo 00th sires, yihe Eighthavenue. Authority was iven 10 take this jand for the purposes of a public purk, and providing means for payment to the owners Wereof, AllerWard, In the year 1857, there Was passed “AN act for the 1 won and goyera- meni of the Central Park ip the city of Ni York” (seo chapter 771 of the Laws of & year), By vais act 1 was deciared that the land referred to should thereafter be Known wnd enttied as “The Central Park,” and placed unuer the exclusive conirol and management of & Board of Commissioners, to onset of gieven named and styled “Tue Cominission Cenwal Park.” “Tne Act named the Commissiouers, and = declarea twat generally, in regard to said Park, they should possess ail ie power and auine by law cous jerred OF possessed by the Common Council of tue city im respect w the public pl ana therelu. Further, that no plan for laying ¢ jating and governing said vark shoud! or uuderiaken by the Cotmmissluncrs, the ent wapeuae Gi Wikio, WYK Luyded, WHmil Feaslte dye rded to tiese 12 | Itis nov only a | all the information on this subject witnia we | act to reorganize the local government | gum than $100,000 per annumd. A public fund or ! BLOCK Was created, not exceeding the aforesaid Ihr a \ tation, providing means for the Improvement 0 | the Park, The Poard of Commissioners were 2Utvo- | rized to pass such ordiaances as in ther judgiwent ovecnment of the Park, not moonsbtent with the o cinunces and regajations of the corporation of the | city of New York, persons offeading against te | sume to be deemed guutv of misdemeanor, pabisii- | ane by dine, and mn deiauit of payment by imprison men By ohap'er 101 of the Laws of 1859, entitled “An act (o alter the map of the city of New York, by lay- img out thereon a pubiie place aud to authorize the aking OL the Bame,”? there Was addea ty the Park | all tuat poruon of the ¢.ty of New York Lying be- | tween Lb) th street and 110th street and Furth and Eighth avenues; the Commissioners were au‘ horized vo acqgnire ‘ite thereto tu the usual mauver, frro- vision was made for the means wherewith to pay for the land thus added to tne Park, dhe last scc- on declared that, as to the lay.ng out, conuol ant management of vhis additioual piece of ground, It should be sabject to all the prov sions of the pre- vious laws in respect to the Central Wark, and should be under the exclusive control and manage- ment of the Commissioners thereof, By chapter 349 of the Session Laws of 1849, en- | titled **An act to amend an act entitied ‘Au act for the reguiation aad voverament of the Central Park, in the ciy of New York,’ passed April 17, 1857, and further to provide for the maintenance and govern | ment of sald Central Park,” 11 was declared that the Board of Commissioners should consist of not Jess than seven nor more than eleven persons, and the Commissioners then in oftice were authorized to fill any vacancies in the Board then exisung; | further, that no plan for laying out, regulating aud governing the Park should be adopted or under- taken oy the Commissioners of which the entire ex- pense, When funded, would require for the payment of the Interest thereon a greater sum than $125,000 perannum, And for the pavinent of the interest on he stock thus authorized the Board of Savervisors were «directed to cause to be raised by tax on real and personal property within the city and county. every year until the whole amount of said fund or siock ‘shoud be paid a sum suilicicnt to pay the same. | by chapter 362 of the Laws of 1859, entitled “An | act to alter the map or plan of the city of New York,” all that of the seventh aveuue im said city Lying between the southerly side of Lvch street | aud the ilariem river Was dec ared to be whiened by adding thereto, on each side thereof, twenty-five | feet, so as to make the whole width o; the said ave- | nue 160 feet; that it should be laid out and regulated nder the supervision of the Commissioners of Ceu- | tral Park, but no action should be takea In relation thereto until the owners of ab least one-hall of tae front of that part of the avenue shouid petition ie Commoa Conner for such wident By chapter 85 of the L act for the construction, 1 mienance und goverament of Centra) Pg y of New | york, and to provide addtilo: therefor," the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonaity ot tue city | Were mred and directed to create and issue a | public fund or stock for the purpose of providing Tueans for the iayiug out, construction, goveru- ment, improvement and regulation of Central Park, to be Genoni.nated “The Central Park Improvement una,” the annual literest of which was not to ex- ceed $150,000. ‘rhe Commissioners of the Park were aiso authorized to estimate anauaily a sam not exceeding $159,000 for lis maintenance and gov- ; ernment during the year, and (ue Board of Super- visors was requived to ralse and collect by tax (hat amount upon (he estates, real and personal, liable to taxation tn the city of New York, By chapter 88 of the laws of 1861, entitled ‘An act toamend an act entivied ‘An act to amend an act entitied “An act for the reguiation and govern. ment ofthe Central Park in the city of New York,” assed April i7, 1557, and further to provide tor the intenance and government of the said park,’ passed April .5, 1859, and further to provide for the 100, Maiatenauce aud government of the * the terms of office of the tien Commis. sioners were continued for five rears thereaiter, with power to fli any vacancies occurring in the Board and conferring upon them all the rights, powers ana authorities theretulore conferred by any act or acts o; the Legisiature of this state upon | the Commissioners of the Centra! Park or upon the sald Board. ‘The Board was also authori-ed to take and hold any glite, devises or beqnesss that migat be made to if, Bad upon seh trust and conditions as might be prescrived by te douors or grantors thereof and agreed to by said Board, for the pur- pose of embellishing or orpauienting said park; aud annuahy siouid make a statement, tn detad, oi the condition aud value of all such gilts, devises | or vequests and of the names of the persons by whom the same were given, devised or bequeathed, By chapier 276 of the Laws of 1834, enutied “An act to amend an aci entitled ‘An act to aler the Map or plan of the city of New York,’ passed april | Park and the Harlem river, should be widened, | Opened, laid out,graded, remalated, sewered, paved and improved by and under the direction or the | Commissioners of Central Park; and all acts and parts of acts then 1u force in relation to the widen- lng, opening, laying out, grading. regulating, sew- ering, paving and improving the streets and ave- nues In the city of New York were applied to that part of the said avenue im its enlarged width, © Re cept that the Commissioners of Central were authorized, for aud in the name of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, and the severai depart ments thereof, to perform the work to be itone under the provisions of tis act: and further, taat the Commissioners should possess all the wers: and perform aii the duties In relation to widening, opening, laying out, grading, regalaung, sewe: ing, paving and improviug such part’ of the Seventh avenue in its enlarged width, and each and every part of the said avenue, which the said Maye Aldermen and Commonaity of the city of New Yo and the several depurtineats thereof then possessed } in, to and npon tie otier streets and avenues in tne ; city. The Park Commissioners were directed to | apply for the appointment of the proper coimmis- sioners fer the opentig of the avenue as thus widened, and it was declared as to such part of said avenue in its enlarged width that it should thence- forth be under the care, management and control of the Commissioners of Central Park, in the same manner and to the same extent as the Cenwal Park was or might thereatter be under their care, man- agement and coutrol. By chapter 319 of the laws of 1864, entitled “An act in relation to Manhattan square, in the city of New York," the piece of ground Known as Maulat- tan square, bounded by Seveniy-seventh and Fighty-first streets and the Eighth and Ninth ave- hues, was annexed to Central Park and placed under the care, wanagement and control of ike Commissioners thereof as fully and completely asthe other part of said Central Park was or might there- afver be under their care, Mapageient and contro). It was made the duty of the Cummissioners to en- close, lay out, grade, regulate, drain and imp) the said piece of ground thus annexed, and to nect whe same with Central Park mm such way or Ways 4# should not interfere with the fuil, free and interrupted use he Kighth avenue as a public street, and they were euthorized to establish and mainiain on the said piece of groaud or ou any other part of Central Park a botanical and Zooiug!- cal garden. By chapier 26 of the Laws of 1865, entitled “An actfor the improvement, maintenance, regulation and government of the Ceutwal Park ib the city of N ork, and to provide addit meaus there- for,’ (he Mayor, Aluermen and Commonaity of the city of New York were aitthorized and directed to te and issue, in such amounts as shouid be gred by the board of Commtsstoncrs of Central rk requisite, a public fand or stock to the aggre- gate amount authorized by this act, the stock Lo be homunsied “Tue Central Park Improvement | Fund;” and the aggregate amount authorized to be issucd was limied io # sum of whic the annual tes, real and personal, subject to | Tr, A SUM SuMicieat lo pay (ue in- The moueys derived from tits | seu and appropriated by te Board of Commusstouers of Central Park tor ONSITUO- | tion, uaprovement and regulation of that par | ‘the last section 1p this act it was declared tat military eucumpment, parade, dril, review or utions or exercise should be held or pert in said park or any part thereof, except with the | | previous coaseat of the Board of Commissyoacrs thereol; nor shoula any military company, regiment or military body enter or move In militar; H within tne said pars; and no military officer siould | have authority to order, afrect or hold any such pa. | | rade, aril, re , or other evolution or exercise or | | encampment within said park, except in case ot | riot, mmsur jon, rebellion or war. wy ¢ yter $04 of the Lawa of 1965, entitied ‘an act for the improvement of part of the city of Sev York, between i1oth streetand the Hariem river,’ it was @ ared that all that part of Sixth avei the city of New York lyjng between the southerly | sid> of 110!b stre and the Harlem river should @ widened on the map or plan of said city by adding | | by tax on the es | waxation, every ye | terest aforesala, } Stock Were to no thereto, on h side thereof, twenty-ilve [ or land, 80 #8 lo make tbe Whole Width of that part of the ave p lbu Jeet T Commissioners of the nd «recced In bebail Central Park are authorized of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonaity of the | city of New York, to apply for the eppolatment of | commissioners for We taking of this laud aud appro priating it for the purposes of @ public street or | venue Sviy section four of this act it was declared that | the said Sixth avenue, together With the streets inid outon t yor plan of te city of New York { tween the southerly side of Livin street and th Sixth and Sevents evenues and the Harlem river, should be who.ly under the care, management and control of the Commissioners of the Central Park for the purpose of fixing the grades of the said avenue and streets and of regul and graving abd otherwise improving the same in Such manner as they might deem the public interest might | quire; and for that purpose the said Commissioners, as to sald avenue and sireets aud the use thereoi, Should Lave, possess and enjoy all tue powers then or \ueretofore possessed, enjoyed or exercised by such Commissioners in respect to the Central Park of said city, and by the bayor, Aldermen and Com- mouaity or the city of New ‘York, and the seve- ral departments of ‘said city, om — relation to the streets, avenues and similar im provements thereof In otner parts of the said city, and the expenses of such improvements should be sesved upoa the owners and occupants of all lands nd premises benefited therevy, and they snould be- ¢ a Len upon such lands, and be euforeed in like cnuer a8 Was thea provided by law in relatton to ssients Jor regulating and grading and other Wise Linproving streets in the city of New York. iy chapter o81 of the Laws of 1865, enutled An aci in reiation to te Croton Aqueduct in the city of lork and ¢ nm streets in the said ctty,”” A Mey Mabini RIV VIO ME TONORE LO AUK AUUCdUOL | roads, publ | fund or siock, payable not mor | feet froudag ui} NEw YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY. © the opimon of the Commissioners of the Centrat Park, 1 shoula become necessary for the proper he anual yayment of the interesethereon agrearer | by section 3 it was declared that whenever, mM ' nm ormerly BY Ine street, easterly by the wester!; | line of Ve Eighth aveaue pa ph atyeescoud drainage of the Pork, Or any street or ave.ue | bounding the same, oF under the charge of the Commissioners thereof, 10 open any sueek in Tne lormer | might seeu necessary for the regutaiton, use aud | the city; or Whenever, in their opinion, tt should de necessary to grade or reguiate any street bounding the said Park, or uncer the cnarge oi the said Com missioners, (ey might notify the Mayor, aicermen and Commenaity ot satd city that it was necessary ‘to open, grade or regulate such -treet: and the sad Mayor, Aldermen and Commonaliy shouid, within Uurly Vays thereafter, commence the proceedings prescribed by law to open, grade or regulate. such © street, and should continue and corpiete such pro- ceedings Without delay, Suspension or discontinu- ance; und ii the said Mayor, aldermen and Com- monalty shonid fail to take, continue and complete such proceedings as Were there required, the said Comuuissioners should thereupon take aad become vested with atl the powers in the matter possessed | by the sail Mayor, Aldermen and Coimmonaity of the city of New York, provided, however, that all | necessary legal procee lings should be conducted vy the Corporat on Counsel, By chapter 555 of the Laws of 1865, entitled “An act to provide for the laymmg out and improving of ceriain portions of the city and county of New York,” ib was aeciared that the Comiuissloners of Central Park stiould have and possess exclusive power to lay out streets, roads, public squares and places within tha! part of the city of New York to the northward of the southerly line of iosth street, of such widih, extent and direction and \ pon such ; grades as to them should seem inost couductve to the public good; aud further, it saould be the dmy o1 the Said Commissioners, a3 Soon aiter tae passage of (he act as imight be, to lay out a road or public drive, ranming from the northerly portion of the Sixth and Seventh aventie, in & generally northerly or northwesterly — direc- lon upon the easterly or Mariem river side of the city, a8 far Mora as the said Commissioners might determine, thence im @ generally westerly direction to or near We tiudson river, and theace in & generally southerly or southeasterly «direction along the Westwardiy or Hudson river slue oi the | city, unul Suck road or public drive suguia eter the Central Park at or near the junction of tue Bivow- ingdale roud with Eighth avenue and Finy-ninth street; sucti road to follow the course of the Bioom- ingdale road below 10cch street Whenever te Com Missioners shouid deem Such course adyaniageoi he Coumissione:s were lo determine the location, With, courses, Winding aud grading of said read or put and mighe widen the Bivomuzd roud and determine the grades thereof ant of ite: sec.iny streets and avenues, as they miguc deem it avy for the perfecting of ach road or panic ‘Yhe Comimssioners were directed to enter upon and cause surveys to be mado of tie lanas bounding upon tie streets, or roads or puvlic squares so lo be Jald out by ticm as ator said, and file maps thereor designating ihe streets, &e., Which they might lay oO erect suitable and duratie monue | yever they might deem it necessary, Ul location thereof to be noted upou the maps. pl or surveys ied by them; these maps, piaus aad surveys Of the said Comunssiouers, when filed, to be final and conclusive as to the location, width and grades of the streets and roads, publto squares aud pisces exhibiied taereon, as well im respect to the avor, Aldermen and Commonaity of tie cicy of York as to the owners and occupants of lauds, te ments and hereditaments wiihin the bouudaries aforesaid, or afected by said streets, roads, public squares and places, and in respect to ali over pe suns whousocver, The Comuissioners were also directed to acguire title, for aud in belail of he Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of me city of New York, tor the use of the public, to all or any of tie lands reguired for the streets aad roads and public squares and places so laid out by them or any poruon thereol; and for the appomtment of commissiouers Of estimate and assessment in yespect thereto, om the confirmation of wuose Yeport, or Whenever thereafter the Commissioners of Ceniral Park siould deem it vo tbe puwue inter estso to do, they should, irom time to (ime, cause such of said streets, roads, Squares or plac they might designate for that purpose to be regulated, graded an timproved as sireets or ax country roads, or ia such mauner as tuey magat deem for tae public Interest and wilsbt direct, aud ior taal purpose and 1m aud about such regulating, grading and laproy § the Commissioners of tue Cena: Pars suotld possess and enjoy all tue powers then or tnere- tolore posse: enjoyed or exe.cised by ihe Mayor, Aldernich and Comimoanalty of the city of New 1 ork @s Lo oiver sireets aud roads, and by suck commis- sivuers, ja re pect to the Central Park in said city, and such amount or portion Of the expense of such reguiaung, gcading and unprovemeuts as tae said Commissioners inignt deem equitable or might deter Mine, Not exceeding, as to the streets and roads, more than one mile 1m length, oue-half of such ex- pense as sould or might be assessed upou the owners and occupants of tue lands, tenements aud out; and a Tents wi 15, iSo¥" (being the act in relation to the Seveuth | hereditaments and premises beuefited thereby in avenue}, that act was by this law amended by de- {| respect of such lands, tenements, hereditaments claring that the Seventh avenue, between Central | atid premises. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act the Comptrolier of tne city of New York was authorized aud directed, Wuenever tie Comimussiva- ers of Central Park should 60 order, to create and cause to be issued from tme to time, in the name and in venalf of tae county of New York, a puolic than tity years (ron the date of issue thereof, which saouid be a charge upon the said county, aud should be tasued in such AMmoUDtS, In Such Maher and at Such mes as might be directed by resolution of the Comanissioners of Central Park; and (he moueys collected upon the as sessinents auinorized in sald act to be levied toward the payment of the expenses incurred in regatgting, grading and improving such streets, roads, puplie squares and places, were to be pledged and were ap- pled toward the payment of said fond oF stock. By section tweive of thts act it was declared that all powers anthorjzed by an act passed i 7, 1500, appomtung “comionissioners for the laying out of that portion of the city and county of New York lying north of 155th street,” &c., sould tnen cease and determine, and the Commissioners of Central ‘urk were vested with all the powers of such com- Act reiative to the powers dunes of the Com- missioners of the Central I it was declared to be the duty of the Central Park Comuussioners, 1m- mediate upon the passage of sai act, to lay out and estaolisn the grade of ay avenue not exceeding | one hundred feet in width, to be called the avcnue St. Nicholas, Waicdl avenue should commence ai or uon of tbe Sixth avenue and 110th and run thence in the general direction of the Hariem lane Uli it intersected the Kings brid vad, at Or near 124th street, between Eigath and Ninth avenues; theace northeriv, as near midway between Eighth and Ninth avenues as the sald commisstonere might deen advantageous, to 135th street, thence northerly in the general direction of the said Kingsbridge road to a point on 155th street, about midway between Ninth aud Tenth avennes, and snch avenue should embrace such portions of the Hariem lane and old Kingsbridge road as the said commissioners shoald deem it exe pedient to iicinde thercin, and it might depart trom the line of tne said Hariem lane and Kiugsoridge wherever the said Commissioners might deem ahent. The mimiesiouers were also em- powerel to extend Manhatcan street in a souther! direction to said avenue, and might widen said street to the width of one hundred teet if they should deem iv expedient; also, whenever they might deem it necessary, . sy were authorized (0 Ax wnd establish or change te grade of any sireet or avenue, or any part of any street or avenue that itersected any street, road Or avenue required by law to be jald out, establiened, reguiated or tmproved by them or under Weir’ direction, and whenever they had fixed, estabvusied or changed, din’ this section, ihe grade of any stre els or avenue, or any parcol any street or 1 should be their duty to cause two iaps 1 0 sch street or sireets or avenues, or parts thereof, showing the grade so fixed ov estab- lished or changed by them, and the graves of such streets @ nues and parts thercor sould, fro: he Ume of fling such maps in the proper ofices, he establisued a3 shown in and by the sume; further, thai such g sioald not theres be changed aniess the o ¥ of two-thirds of the land in lineal h any such strect avenue, or of i, Where such change might t any suicu change of grade, omice of the said Commissioner ‘The Comm ssioners Were directed to make maps, 2 and surveys O1 th aveone ref ‘ed to, and of widening and exteusion of Manhattan st Liaw provided, These inaps Were dectared to 1 conciusive as to the location and width of ave: St. Nicholas, as to the widening and ex- | tension of Manhattan street, and as to uve grades ob saul ave nd suid streets, Further, that with respect to said avenue St. Nichoias, rnd in respect eventh di city, ana With res ts, and } tons Of 8a ) be lait out or naproved wad said Central Park Conmissiouers, ito the laying out, grading. rogiia: , paving aud improving the same, tue ers of the Ventral Park saoald ers and perform all tue duties Uiea or the possessed, enjoyed or exercised by such Com: ners in respect to Central fark, in tie said city, and by the Mayor, Aldermen and Comon- alty of the eit ew York, and the several depart+ ments 0/ the city, in reiaiion to the streets, aveaues and siuilar inprovements thereol in other paris of Bald city. Furiner, that all the powers conferred upon the sald Coumissioners respecting Sixth avenue and other streets in eaid city, so far as the same were not incon thereby made applicable to the said po: ath avenue,and Lo the said avenue and the improvement thereof, in ike mauner as it provisions of the Sixth avenue act were incor porated in this ay to Central Park in » avenues, T venue lying north of tie to all CH1ON OF the and with respe ting, seve said OCom possess ali istent WILY Li! provisions of this act, Were of the Furiner, taat tae Commisstoners might do all the work reqtired to be done by them by days’ work ¢ by contract, or In such manner as they might dee expedient, the Commissioners were further au- thorized to Make au annual estimate, for the main- tenance and government of We Central Park, of the sui of $69,000 In addition Lo the sum previously au- thorized for that purpose. The Commissioners were aiso authorized, Whenever they mignt deem it expedient for the public interest so to do, for and im bealf of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, to acquire litle for the use of the public to aoy or ail sweets and avenues above Fifty-ninth street in said city, laid out on the map or plan of the city of New York by the Commissioners appointed in and by an act entitied, “An act relative to Improvements touchin, the laying out of tr i roads in the clty o1 New York aud for otuer purposes,” passed April 3, 1807. By chapter 550 of tho Lays of 1909, éntitied, “An fer to enable the Commissioners of the Central Park to make further improvements m the city of New York,’ it was declared to be the duty of the Com- Missioners to cause a survey to be made of ali that pace ol We chy Bud gouuly of New York bounaed street and by the westerl, line of Ninthavenue south of Bighty-second street, southerly by tne southerly line of Seventy-secood street east or tae Tenth avenue and by =the southeriy line of Sixty-seventh street west of shy ‘Tenth avenue, aud Westerly by the Hudson river; and to prepare maps, pins and proflies, em- bracing and showing such changes in the width, direction and grades of the streets, avenues and roa § now laid out within the area above described, and in the pier avd bulkhead lines then establisied, ay, in their opinion, couid be maue with beneill to the property affected and to the public interests, aud also the boundaries and grades ot such streets, avenues, roads and public squares and piacea, as, in their opinion, couid be laid outor discontinued with like beneiit; and to enable them to perform these duties ull provisions of the act oi April 24, 1565, chap- | ter 665 of Lhe laws of that vear, a8 Were applicable thereto, shoukl ply fully and completely to the powers and pr cuings of the Commissioners under this act. ‘ne Comimussioners were directed from lume to tune to report to the Legistature te maps, plans and profies above specified, with ther procealings uuder that act; and further, no proceeiings should be had or taken by any officer or budy for any street opening or improvement, within the area above described, except that the work under contracts already made and executed might ve done and completed, and except such proceedings as the sald Co.amis- siouers Were authorized to take, until the Cominis- stoners should have reporied and the Legisiacure should have determined the boundaries and grades of such streets, unless the Commissioners of Central Park suould concur with such body or oficer in a@uthoriziog the opemng or improvement of said Bireet. The authority of the Commissioners under this act expired on the Ast day of Alay, 1855. by chapier 757 ol the Laws’ of 1866, entitied “An act to amend ap act entitled ‘An act authorizing (ne Mayor, Aidersnen and Commonaity of the city of New York to widen Broadway or Bloomingdale road, veoween Fifty-seventih and Fifty-ninih streets, in the city of New York,’ passed April 13, 1857,” Broadway or Bloomingdale road, at its junction Wil Fity-sevenin and Fiity-niuci stree:s, in tae city of New York was laid out in acircuiartorm, and there was established (herein What 18 LOW known as the Enghta Avenue Cireie. A provision was made for the acquiring of the Utle to she hind necessary for the purpose, and it was declared that uo part of that 8 reet, where so widened, should be used for any other purpose than that of a public street or a pubiic place; nor should any portion thereof be ued asa carriage or hack siand; nor should any 1, stand, arection or eucumbrances of any kin'l permitted thereon; and wat tir tke aud every portuioa thereor within the limits described should be Kept free and clear for the passage of tie publi and that its use Siould be uader tie exclusive con- trol and management of the Commsstoners of Cen- tral vark, Who were thereby authorized to make such rules and regulations respecting its use, not Weonsistent with (he provisions of tus act, as they Inight deein proper, by chapter 697 of the Laws of 1867, entitled “An act to aller the map or plan of cer’am portions of the city of Now York, and for the laying out aud 1a- provement of the same,’? the Board of Commis lon+ ers of the Central Park were dectared to have and possess exclusive power to lay out and establish sircets, avenues, roads, public squares or places of such width, extent and direction as to them should seem most conducive to the public good; and also tw designate ani direct what part or parts of any gireets, aveaues, roads, puolic squares and places theu jaid out should be abaudoned and closed; and alsy to widen any street or avenue or road then laid Out; and also to alter ana amend the then grades of any street, avenue or road that inight be reiaimed bv them, and to establish new grades for all other streets, avenues, or roads ihat migit be laid out and estab- lished or reiained by them witnin that part of the city of New York which is bouaded as foilows:— Northerly by the soucnerly side of 155th street, east- eriy by the wescerly side of the #ighth avenue, southerly by the southerly side of Fifty-ninth street, and westerly by che Hudson river; and also within @ space 350 feet im widti surrounding the Central Park, And also to lay out and estabiisn new plier and bulkhead lines and the grades thereot, as to the Commissioners should seem proper for the re- quirements of commerce in said North or Hudson river, from Fifty-iifch street to Spuyten Duyvil creck, ond on both sides of Spuyten Duyvil creck and the Harlem river tothe line of the Third avenue; put suen new pier and bulkhead lines and the grades thereof should not be deemed finally established il they had been approved by the Legislature. ‘ne Commissioners were required to prepare aps: or plans showmg ail they siould do under the authority 0. this act, and which maps or plans, ex- cepuing the pier and bulxhead lines, and the grades thereof wnen made, were declared to be final and conclusive, With the same intentand effect as if the same had deen laid out and established hy the Com- inissioners appointed by the act of April 3, 1507, en- utled, “An act relative to improvements touching the laying out of streets and roads in the city of New York aud for other purposes;’’ furwer, that all streets, avenues, roads, public squares and places, aud the grades therefor, theretofore laid out and established within the disirict mentioned in the first section of this act, which shout not be shown or retained on the maps to be filed by the Commissioners as above men- toned, should, trom and after the time of said Maps, cease to be or remain public streets, avenues, roads, squares or places, And the abutung owners on such of said streets, avenues and roads as had been opened or ceded, and as should be abandoned or closed under the provisions of this act, snouid be- come and b: seized in fee simple absointe therein to the centre line thercofin front of his or their lands respectively, except where such streets, avenues or roads should on said mgps be retained or taken for other public use, but suvject, however, to any exist- ing rignt of the Mayor, Aldermen and Comionaity of the city of New York to maintain and keey im orjer aay sewer, Croton water aqueduct or pipe, or the appurtenances thereof thas mught have been constructed in any street, ave;ue or road 80 closed. It was not necessary In making and filmg these maps that they should show the laying out of all at one time, but the Commiss.oners were authorized to make maps of parucular sections of the district referred to and file the same, and thereapon their powers and daties in respect to that section ceased and de- termined; but at the conclusion of their duty they were required to tile a map obi 3 ali the entire work an | exnibiting again thereon the various se tions of whiclt maps had previously been filet. Fur. ther it was deciared that ali suce public squares and places whicn should be laid out or retained by said Commissiouers as aforesaid should immediately after the same were opened be and remain under the control and management of tae Commissioners of the Central Park as to the regulating, grading, pav- ing, sewering and otherwise improving and main- talning the same, and ai. parts of any public street, avenue, road or public square and place within a distance of 350 feet from the outer boun- daries of the Central Park, which place and all others laid out as aforesaid shouid at all times after the opening of the same be sub- Ject to such rules and regulations in respect to the uses thereof, and erections or projections thereon, as the said Board of Commissioners of the Central Park might make therefor; but they were not per- moitted to do any Workin the matter of requlating, grading, paving, sewering, or corns and gutter. Ing apy of ihe sireets, aveaues or roads within the district above maentioned, which any of the depart- ments of the government of the city of New York were then autnorized by law to do. The Comptrol- ler of the city of New York was thereby autiorized and directed to deposit to the credit of the Com- missioners of Central Park such sums of money as said Board should irom time to time require for the Co of any work, services or material uruished under any contract, proceeding or otherwise for laying out, opentog, regulating, racing or o.lerwise improving any street, avenue, ad, public square or place, the consiruction or maintenauce oF which by law was or should be under the direction, control and management of said Board of Commissioners of Central Park, specifying on what particular Work or procecding said money was required; and to enabie sald Comptroller to raise such money he was authorized and empow- ered to borrow from time to lime, 1n the name of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonality of the city of New York, by the issu of bonds bearing such rate of Interest as he might deem proper, not exceeaing seven per cent per annum, such sum as should be necessary to pay all expenses incurred or to be in- curred a4 aforesard; and the proceeds of the assess- nents to be made for each’and every such work are pledged for the redemption of ail bonds so issued, and the rematuder or dedciency necessary for tae redempiton of such bonds, with the interest thereon, are to be certiied by tne Comptrolier to the Saper- visors, and be by the Supervisors included in the next annual tax levy, and applied to the redemp- uon of such bonds and the interest thereon. All acts in force reiating to the laymg out, widen- ing, opening, grading, regulating, sewerng and ferwise tiproving streets, avenues, roads aud ble squares and places inthe etty of New York, Hot inconsistent with the provisions of this act, are slired ty be applicable Lereto as it incorporated ein. > ‘Tne powers of the Board of Commissioners of Cen- tral Park, aader this act, to lay eut, establish and Widen the streets, nvenues, roads, public squares and p and bulkhead aod pier lines, and to designate aud direct what streets, avenues, roads, public squares and places shal be abandoned and |, Will cease On the Ist day of May, Li bapter 248 of the Laws of 1865, entitled “An act approving tue lines and grades established under anthority of chapter 697 of the Laws of 1807, and ainending said chapter 697, entitled ‘An act to alter the map or plan of certain portions of the cry of New York, and for the laying out and tmproving the same,’ passed April 24, 1857, the new pier and bulkhead lines, aud the grades thereof, laid out and established by Board of Commissioners of Ve tral Park in the North or Hudson river, trom Fifty- Mth street to Spayten Dayvil creek, and on both sides of Spayten Duyvil creek and the Harlem river, from the North or Hudson river to the line of the Third avenue, asthe same are shown on the map entitied “Map showing the new pier and bulkhead lines laid out aud establisned by the Board ot Com- missioners of Central Park, pursuant to chapter 697 0 the Laws of the city of New York, passed April 24, 1867,” dated New York, November 1¥, 1567, and signed by John J. Serrell, were finally established and approved by (he Legislature, and tt was de- clared to be unlawiul to Hil in with heavy stones or other solid material in the waters of the port of New York, beyond the vew bulkhead lines thereby estab. ished: nor shali it be lawinl to erect any structure outside of or exterior of the said balkhead ines, xcept plers, which plera shall not exceed seventy feet in width respectively, with intervening water spaces of at least one hundred feet; nor shall 1 be lawful to extend such pier or piers beyond the new pier Hine thereby estabushed. The provisions of sec ton two of chapter 622 of Laws of 1860 were thereoy male applicabie to all piers, bulkheads or other structures that may be built ander and by virtue of tis law. The Commissioners of Central Park were AwWer wuuorized, a Wey apemed db uecosspiy for -QUADRUPLE SHEET, the public interests, to alter and amend any part or parts of the bulkhead tines in Spuyten vil trek fad the sarem river, and upon thelr hling in the office of the Secretary of State a map or maps showing any alterations that they may make, the butkhead lines so shown on such Wap shall be- come and be established bulkhead iinet ond she. provisions of tnis act shall be abe U eto; and further, the Board of Commissioners 0 Central Park are authorized and are declared to nave exclu- sive power to regulate, grade, pave, sewer, curb and gutter. and ovherwise improve, ‘irect, manage, control, aud iamtain such parts of all streets, ave- nues and roads as bound any public square or place laid out or retained by the said Comuisstoners un- der the provisions of tuis act, in that portion of the district wherein. referred to, which lies west of the Eighth avexde, in the same manner and to tie same extent, and with the same power, as the said Commissioners then had and pos- sessed With resvect ty the improvemeat of the Sixth and Seventh avenues in said city, north of the Cen+ tral Park. by chapter 853 of the Laws of 1868, denominated ty Tax Levy,” the Board of Ceniral Park Com- missioners were authorized Lo estimate a furtaer sum of $50,000 per annum for the mamtenance and government of the Central Park. By chapter 350 of the Laws of 1869, entitled “An act to autuorize the erection of a soldiers’ and sailors’ Monument in the city of New York, and to authorize the raising of money therefor,” wie Board of Supervisors of the county of New York were au- thorized, Upon the request of the Commissioners of tue Ceatrat Park of the city of New York, to be ex- pressed in writing, and noi otherwise, to make such Appropriation, not exceeding $80,000, as the Com- missioners may think proper to deiray the expenses of erecting &@ monument in said county to com. memorate ine ea Of the svidiers and sailors of New York county In the war for the preservation of the Unton, the sume to be located and erected under the charge and airection of the Commissioners. ‘This amount was directed to ve levied upon the real and personal property lab. to taxation for the pur- pose autior.zed, By chapter 5v9 of the Laws of 1869, entitled ‘An act autaorizing the erection aud maintenance of an observatory I the city of New York,’ the board of Comunissioners of Central Park were authorized to erect and establish, conduct and maintain, m the Central Park im sald city, a meteorological and strouomical observatory and museum of natural history, aud a gallery of art, and the buildings thereior, and to provide the ne ary imstramenis, furniture and equipments for the same, ‘The Moneys necessary for this pur- pose, aoa for the necessiry Instruments, furniture and equipinents, to the extent of a sum, the anntal interest of which shalt mot exceed — $15,0 were authorized to be raised, aud in addi- tion to so much of the moneys then author- ized for the improvement of the park as said Board migit elect therefor, to be expended in the same manner as moneys for the consttuct.on of said park then raised under the then existing laws; aud the Moneys necessary for the maintainance of said observatory, museum and gallery, buildings, jastrauments and equipments, not to exceed $30,000 per annum, shouid be provided and expended in the same manner as moneys for the mamienance of the Said park were then raised aud expended under ex- isting laws. by chapter of tho Laws of 1567, entitled “An act lor the improvement of certain parts of West- chester county, Harlem river and Spayten Duyvil creek,” it Was made the duty of the Board of Ce mussioners of Centrai Park to cause a proper survey to be made Of ail tnat part of the county of West- chester lying west of the New York, Harlem ani Albany Railroad, and south of the southeriy line of tne village of Yonkers, and a line in contanuation thereo!, and to revise and prepare maps, plans and proilles embracing and showing such changes in the location, —_ width, courses, windings and grades of the streets, avenues, and roaas thea laid out within whe area above described, as tn their opinion it may be made with beneiit to the prope ty atlected and to the pub- lic imterest; and also the location, width, courses, windings and grades of such streets, avenues, roads and public squares and places as, in their opinion, can be laid out or discontinued with lke benefit, in- cluding plans for the proper sewerage and draiuage of the land within said area, and for the supply of pure and wholesome water therefor; and also for the improvement of Harlem river aud Spuyten Duy- Vii creek, and the plan and location of all oriages, tunnels and other means of transit across or unuer sald river and creek; and they were authorized to enter upon ail the jands, tenements and heredita- ments referred to and make surveys in the per- formance of their duties under this act and to re- port to the Legisiature at its next session the maps, plans and profiles above specified, so far as they may be able to compicte the same, with sach Heid notes and explanatory remarks as te nature of the subject may require, together with a statement of all thetr proceedings under this act. No proceeding was to be had or taken by any of- ficer or body for any street opening or other public Improvement within the area above described (ex- cept that Work under contracts already made and execuied may be done and compieted) until the said Board of Commissioners shall make the report thereby required and the Legislature shall nave taken Oficiat action upon the said report, aniess the said Board of Commissioners shail concur with the oilcer or body in authorizing such opening or im- provement. The authority of the said Board of Commissioners under this act expired on the Ist day of January, 1871. For the paymentof ali expenses in- curred wider this act the ‘Treasurers of the counties of New York and Westchester respectively were re- quired to pay over to the proper Board such sums of money as ‘should “be —¢ertiied vy the said boards respectively as necessary to be raised in the said counties, respectively, to carry out the provisions of the act, ‘aud such suins of money Were to be raised and collected by the Supervisors of the sald counties respectively, in the manner in which other moueys in said counties are raised and collected, except thai in the county of Westchester It was made the duty of the Supervisors ot the towns ot Yonkers, West Farms and Morrisania to asress the sums of money specified by the Board of Com- missioners of Ceatral Park, upou the pieces and parcels of land im each of said towns within the area described, rataply, im accordance with the assessed valuation of the said pieces and parcels of land, and sald sums of money were to be included in the assessinent roils of said towns in separate columns, The Commissioners were aireciea by this law not to interfere with uny of the duties imposed upon certain commissioners of the town of Mor- risania ington to lay Out, Open and close streets, roads and avenues in that town, except with the consent or in conjunction with those commissioners Kiy chapter 689 of te Laws of 1569, entitiea “An Act to establish a public piace in the city of New York,” thac triangular piece of ground bounded westerly by the Ninth avenue, easterly by the Boule- vard and southerly by Sixty-third street, 1s desig- pated as a public place, aud airected to be thus laid down and established, By chapter 44 of the Laws of 1870, entitled “. to alter the map or plau of the city of New Yor! that portion of seta strest iaid down on the Vom- missioaers’ map of the city lying beiween the east- erly line of the Boulevard and tue centre iine of the Bloomingdale road, a3 it existed at the time of tbe enactinent of the iaw creatt g the Boulevard, was by this law deciared to be @ public street, of the same width and dimensions as fixed by the Commissioners: oi the Central Park ou their map, and they were die rected to proceed and open the same, and acquire lutle thereto, on behaii of tne city. By chapter 593 of tne Laws of 1870, entitled “An act in reiation to regu ating and gradiog the Eigath avenue, in the city of New York,’ whe grade of that avenue, trom Fity-ninth street to 122d street, was. es abiished, by which the grade before that time ex- isting was Very materially altered, So as to require the almost entire remodelling of the westerly side of Centrai Park, the grade at some places being trom sixteen to twenty tect beyond tat now existing, and the westerly side of the park musi necessarily be adapted thereto. By chapter 626 of the Laws of 1870, entitled An act to alter the map or plan of a portion of the city of New York, and tor the improveMent of the same,’? the Department of Pubic Parks was declared to have tull and exciusive power to lay out and establish, of such wiutn, extent und direction as to them shali seem conducive to the public good, a broad street or avenue to be designated the “eastern Boalevard,” or such ptuer vane as shall be determined, toge with such other streets or avenues as Shall be deemed proper to connect such Boulevard with Central Park and the Bast river or otherwise, and aiso to widen or otherwise aiter, re- tain or disconunue any avenues or streets now laid out or designated on the map or plan of the city of New York, and also to lay out and estavlish public squares or plices along the line and contiguous wo Suld Boulevard or otherwise, and aise to alter. amend and establish the geades of such new strects or avenues, and to iter or amend Une present grades of aby street, avenue or road that may be retained by Uem withig that portion of the eity Wilten is bounded southerly vy tie soatherly side of Filiy-seventit streec and westerly by tie ¥ side of Filth avenue, rom Filty-seventh si 110cn street, and by tie easterly side of Sixth avenue, from 10th street to (he barlem river, hor » Har department was directed to enter upon tho property within the space indicated, and prepare Idaps and piaos of What they shali do under chis Act, and to ble the same as terein provided, The alterations that they saall make within the vounda- ries aforesanl, authorized by the act, shall have the same effect as if the same had been established and Jaad ont by the Commissioners unuer bhe act of 157, 4nd Ail streets, avenues, roads, public squares and places, and the grades theretofore laid oat and Abushed Witntt the district mentioned, which siall nol be retained or shown on the map to be tiled with the department, shall, from and afver the ume of the fing of ihe map, cease to be and re- main public streets, avenues, rowis, Sqwared aud places, and the abutung owners on such streets; avenues and roads as have been opened or ceded, and as shall be abaudoned and closed under tae provisions of this act, shall become and be seized in Tee simple absolute therein, to the centre lie thereof In front of bis or their lands Foupectively, except Where such streets, avenues or roads shail on sald maps be retained or taken for other public use, but subject, however, to uoy existing right of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonaity of the city of New York to maintain and keep in order any sewer, Croton water aqueduct or pipe, or the appurte- Dances thereof, that may have pee coustructed in bai’ street, avenue or road 80 closed. he departinent was authorized to file maps of articniar sections within te boundaries men toned from tine to tae, and at the close of thier Work to make & map showing such chang Pro- Vision Was made in tis act against any interference with the powers and.daties of the Department of Pubic Works in relation to the reguiating, grading, sewering, curbing, gutiering or Hagging of such roads, streets ahd avenues, except as vo Said Kast erm Boulevard and the pubitc #qaares and places jaid out or retained under tis act, and the powers tiereim conferred upon the Deparument of Public Parks are to be deemed (0 extend ony Lo such Bast Cin Lowevard aad Mublic sauares wud Wlaceds By chapter 607 of the Laws of 1370, entitled “An act to provide a pian for the improvement of Uons of the counties of Westchester and New York, and to provide facilites for coumunic.tion between the counties,” tne Department of Public Par! Was declared co baye and shall exercise ail hg oe ia i des se ferred upon the Commissioners of entral Park [i Mid BY enapier 825 of the Laws of 1509, above reverred ai spect to the improve- ment of the county © Westchester, Harlem river and Spuycen Doyvel creck, and thisdepuriiment was substiqied for those Commissioners, It Was also directed to prepare maps, plans aud protiies of the district or portion of Wesichester county referred to In t4at act, within oae year trom the p: there- of with field notes and explanations as may be deemed ex, edient, and providing tuut from the fling thereof the same shall be final and conclusive as to ail streets, avenues public sjuares ana places laid out thereon, and all roads retained on those-mapa sha'l be retained and established; and ull roads dis+ continued and closed shall thereupon and thence- forth be discontinued and closed accoruingly. ‘The department was also directed to locaie and estab- 1 tunnels, bridges and other means of transit across or under Harlem river and spuyten Duyvit creek, and lay the same dowo upou the map, and thereupon and thenceforth they saul be establisbea and located accordingly. Provision was made jor obtaining means to build or construct these improvements by the issuing of bonds of the counties of New York and Wesicheste:, and tor levying by tax upon the several towns where the improvementy were authorized to be made the amount of the expense of the necessary surveys in fig to complete the improvements therein author- ed. By chapter 200 of the Laws of 1871, entitled ‘An act in reiation to the powers and duties of the Board of Commissioners of the Department of Pubito Parks, including # area for the several public parks, squares and places, and other works under the jurisdiction apd direction of said department in the city of New York,” the Comptroiler of the city of New York, in tue name anu on bvenalf of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonaity thereot, 18 author- ized and directed to create und Issue, at such times: aud in such amounts and in such ma:nec as shail be deemed expedient aud necessary for tie improve. ment aud regulanon of the park, including Central Park, City Hail Park, Morningside Park, Madison square, Reservoir square, Washington square, ‘tompkins square, the tattery, und the several parks and piaces which by law now are or hereaiter may be under the control and management of the Departient of Public Parks, and also fur the con- struction of a meteorological and astronomical ob- servatory in the Central Park, aud to carry out the object of the act a public fund or stock, wo be devom- inated “The City Parks amprovewent Fund,” to aD amount not exceeding a suin of wich we annual interest (at the rate of interest at whic the stock or dund shall be issued) will be $200,100. ‘The stock 13redeemabie in thirry years from the isswung thereof, and all the puras, squares and places in New York city, how created or hereafter to be created, are thereby specitivaliy pledged ior the redeuption of the same aud every part thereol, The department is also therein author- ized to construct, erect and maiutaw in and upon that portion of Central Park iormeriy Kaown as Manhattan square, or aay other pubue parks, squares or places in the cliy, suitavle tre- proof buildings for the parpose of estuclishing and miuntalumg tuerein, under suitable rules and regu- lations to be prescribed by the board of Commis- siupers {rom time to time, a museum and gallery of art by the Metropolitan Museum o: Art, or other institutions of like character. The department was also authorized to erect a suitabic tireprool vutiaing for the purpose of establishing aud maintaining therein @ Museum of Natural History by the Ameri- can Museum of Natcral History or olner instituuons of like Character, The aggregate cost of these bulid- ings it was provided shall not exceed a sum of which the annual interest thereon will be $30,000. ‘The 8.0ck Lo be issued for this purpose is denomi- pated 1;"The Museum of Art ana Natarai History ock, The Comptroller 1s also directed to Issue such additional bonds, of @ public fund or stuck to be denominated ‘City Improvement Stock,” as may be necessary to provide the fuuds to enable such Comptroller to pay any and all assessments and ex- pennes imposed or that may be tinposed upon the jayor, Aldermen and Coummoualty of the city of New York, by reason of laying out, regulating aud grading or improving any and ull sireets, roads, avenues aad public parks, squares and places thal are now, or that hereaiter may be, under the juris- diction of the Department of Public Parks, and out of sucn {und cr stock to pay such assessments and expenses, The interest on the siock 1s direcieu to be levied by the supervisors annuuily. The Board of Commissioners was aiso authorized to organize, and by and through its President to ap- point, a torce to be known as the keepers of Central Park and the several public syuares, parks and places m the city of New York, tl consist of sci number of men as the Board trom time to ime may deem necessary to preserve order in these parks, ‘h force suali be under the exciusive control and direction of the Board, aud may be discuarged at pleasure; each member of the lorce ix virtue of tis appointment to be invested wiih tae ie powers wituin the limits of the parks, squares and places, and that portion of the streets and aveiaes of the city of New iork bounding anu adjomiug the same or lying adjacent thereto, as i invested with a similar rauk in the Police Departineni of the city o. New York. Each member is also required to take an oatn as prescribed by said Board, aud to be allowed compensation. Under special circum- stances the President is authorized to appoint an additional lorce for the preservatiou of order, and. such eran, Waa ie isto have al: the powers oi parkkeepers, “The Board 1s declared to have full and exclusive power to govern, manage und direct the said several public parks, squares and places, to pass ordinances for the regulation and goverument there- of, and generally in regard thereto possess all the wer and authority heretofore possessed by the ‘yor, Aldermen and Commonaity of the city of New York, in respect to the public parks, squares. and places in the city; and ali persous offending against the ordinances thus estavlished shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor aud punished ac- cordingly, as therein provided, The Board of Commissioners is also vested with exclusive power aud control over ail that portion of Battery place lying south of the iine of the soutn side of pier No. 1 North river, aod east of the east- erly line of West street extended in a southeriy di- rection; and also of the waters of the North river in front of that portion of the Battery at Battery place and to the extent of 200 feet westerly therefrom. 1t is also authorized to erect, construct and maintam on that part of Battery place and over and on the lands or water aforesaid, a proper improvement, consisting of suitable oulldings, docks, pliers or Piaces for the accommodation of swall boats engaged in the business of attend! on tue shipping lying in the river or bay of New York; also to make, prescribe and eniorce, from time to um veh Bo aud reguiations for the use and enjoyment of thé Same as the commissioners shall deem most meet and proper ior the public m- terest. The necessary expense of constructing and maintaining such improvements ta to be deemed and taken as part of the expense of tinproving and mam- taining the Battery; aud the moveys therefor are to he raised and expended in like mauner as other moneys. for the improvement of the Battery might be. The commissioners are also authorized to prescribe and enforce rules and ordinances for tue control and goverument of small boats using the water basin at the south end of the Battery, now bemg compleved by the said commissioners, In this act, or section thereof, tt 18 also declared that the public square or piace commonly Known aa Fort Washington Park, located on tue Hudson river and extenaing to Kingsbriage road, shown upon tie map of the Commissiouers of Central Park and laid down thereon as a public square or place, be discon- Uoued, and the Commissioners of Lie Department of Public Parks are directed lo not show the same upon the maps Of ibat portion of ihe city hereafter to be filed upon the completion of (1e whole work to be done within that section or area. it was also in unis act declared that héreafter, in any opening: or improvement of any puvite ‘square, place oF street or avenue in the city of New \ ork, it shall not be lawful to lay or impose any assessment whatever on any public square or place, street, road or avenue; that all assessmeuts which may properly be payable by the Mayor, Aldermen and Commmonalty ate di- rected to be assessed against them in a gross sum in each and every proceeding: further, it was di clared vhat the street or avenue laid cut py the Com- missioners of the Central Park lying 1utermediate the avenue St. Nicholas and the Teath avenue. ex- tending from the north side of 1a6tu street to the southerly side of 137th street, be discontinued, and in lleu thereof the department has power to lay out. and establish @ new street or avenue and the grades therefor, intermediate the said avenue St. Nicholas and the Tenth avenue, and the said new avenne, when thus laid out and shown upon the maps to be fled | hereafter, shall be considered as une of the streets of the oe A By the concluding section of this act the Board of Commissioners oi the Department of Public Parks are declared to have and possess exclusive power to acquire tiie in the name and on vehalf of tie Mayor, Aldermen and Commonaity of the city oi New York in and to all pubic streets, avenues, roads, public sqnares, and places Laid out or to be Jaid out, in all that part of the city of New York lying northerly of Fifty-ninti street, and in and about a1 proceedings therein How or Lereaster to oe commenced, and ail proceedings suvsequent there- to, as to Which the Board suai have and possess all the powers and perform all the duties pow by law conferred upon or authorized to be performed by the Mayor, Aldermen aud Commeonaity of te city of New York. By chapter 534 of the Laws of 1871, enutled “An ACL Teiative .o the Improvement of certain portions of she counties of Westchester and New York, tit cldding provisions tor commuitcation between tie said Counties and for improving Wie navigation of» Harlem river and Spuyten Duyvil creek,” it wag declared to be the duty of the Department of Pubic Parks to cause a proper survey to be made of ail that part of Westchester lying souti of the south erly line of the village of Yonkers and a line in con- tinuauion thereof easterly to Hutchinson river or creek, incluaing that i, of the sat county lying SOUL Of sald jine west of said river, And to devise aud prepare maps, plans and profiles, showing such changesdn the location, wiath, courses, windigs + bo grades of the streets, avenues and grades now ni out within arca designated, as in the opinion of W Commissioucrs can be made | with benefit to the property affected And tox, the public interest; and also the ag Width, courses, windings and grades t sic atreets, avenues, rows and public nares and places asin their opinion can be laid out or discontinued With the Like benett, including plans for the proper sewerage of the land within the area for vie Supply and distribution of pure Wholesome Water therefor; and also for the in} e- ment of ‘Marlon i the navigouion of tie Harlem — river, ant Spuyten Duyvil ereek und = the plan and location of all bridges or oiner means of transit across or under said creek, and the Aulus and locations, 0 far asthe Board may deem Piacitoavie, of all railroads and similar modes of Wausvortlo be overated by wtemua oF olan Daw at ec _ ats acne a

Other pages from this issue: