terial, vegetable and animal, that may find its way into the drain from catch basins and culverts. Although the cistern has. recently been covered with a heavy wooden covering containing a trap door, the stench arising from the interior of the cistern on raising the door is extremely offensive. The Park Department has just placed a fence around the whole of this triangular space, repainted the bell tower, and is using an inclosed space in the lower part as a tool house, but with the bell tower and cistern entirely removed a much better appearance would be presented. I would recommend that the matter be referred to the Corporation Counsel for his opinion as to what department would properly have jurisdiction over these parcels, and whether any action may properly be taken by the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund in the matter, and that a copy of this report be sent to the President of the Borough of Richmond and the Park Department for their information. LAW DEPARTMENT-OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL, Hon. EDWARD M. GROUT, Comptroller: SIR-I am in receipt of your letter of the 13th ultimo, inclosing a communication from the Hon. George Cromwell, President of the Borough of Richmond, to the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, dated September 16, 1902, together with certain correspondence which has passed between his Department and the Park Department relating to the jurisdiction of two certain pieces of land in the late. Village of Stapleton, now a part of the Borough of Richmond, and asking me to advise you what jurisdiction the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund have, if any, and what steps should be taken to place the Park Department in control of the land in question, provided the same can be done. You state the President requests the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund to inform him as to the City's title to the said land, with a view to placing the Park Department in control of the triangular piece immediately to the west of Washington Park, and the strip of land in the middle of Canal street, extending from the triangular piece above referred to to Broad street. You also state that your Engineer has investigated the subject, and has made a report to you, from which it appears that all the land in question was, prior to consolidation, a county road. The only question involved seems to be one of convenience in administration. From the report of the Engineer, and from investigation, it appears that the two pieces of land above referred to are now practically used for park purposes, and that no change in the character of their use will be made if they are placed under control of the Park Department. I am of the opinion that the interests of the public in this case will be properly protected if the control of these two parcels of land is assigned by the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund to the Park Department. Respectfully yours, G. L. RIVES, Corporation Counsel. In view of the above opinion I would recommend that the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund assign to the Park Department the following premises, situated at Stapleton (Village of Edgewater), Borough of Richmond: Ist. A triangular plot of land situate at the intersection of Canal, Brook Water and Wright streets, at the west end of Washington Park. 2d. A strip of land in the centre of Canal street, between the tracks of the Midland Electric Railroad, and extending from the aforesaid piece in a southwesterly direction to Broad street. November 28, 1902. EUG. E. McLEAN, Engineer, Department of Finance Resolved, That, pursuant to the provisions of section 205 of the amended Greater New York Charter, the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund hereby assign to the Park Department, the following premises situated at Stapleton (Village of Edgewater), Borough of Richmond: I. A triangular plot of land, situate at the intersection of Canal, Brook, Water and Wright streets, at the west end of Washington Park. 2. A strip of land in the centre of Canal street between the tracks of the Midland Electric Railroad, and extending from the aforesaid piece in a southwesterly direction to Broad street. Which resolution was unanimously adopted. The Comptroller presented a report of the Engineer of the Department of Finance, relative to an application of the Board of Trustees of Bellevue and Allied Hospitals, for a lease of premises No. 521 East One Hundred and Twentieth street. Borough of Manhattan. Which was laid over. The following communication was received from the President of the Borough of Richmond, relative to a lease of premises on Gray street, Stapleton, Staten Island: NEW BRIGHTON, N. Y., November 25, 1902. To the Sinking Fund Commission, No. 280 Broadway, New York: DEAR SIRS-I hereby recommend to you the leasing from Mr. Frederick Blauth, whose address is No. 39 Gordon street, Stapleton, this borough, of the following premises at a rental of $50 per year: Starting from a point 318.3 feet northerly, along the easterly side line of Gray street, from the northeasterly corner of Gray street and Hudson street. I. Thence northerly along the easterly side line of Gray street for 56.35 feet. 2. Thence deflecting to the right 89 degrees 31 minutes 30 seconds, running easterly for 119.6 feet. 3. Thence deflecting to the right 90 degrees, running in southerly direction for 91.2 feet. 4. Thence deflecting to the right 106 degrees 40 minutes, running in westerly direction for 127.8 feet to the point and place of beginning. Since the City, through my Bureau of Highways, has been using this property from May 1, 1902, I would therefore request that, pursuant to the provisions of section 217 of the Charter, this lease be dated from May 1, 1902. In this connection permit me to say that about May 1, 1902, the paving of Bay street, in this borough, was commenced. As you can imagine, considerable stone and macadam were taken up from this street, and as there was no property in the vicinity that was then leased by the City upon which this stone and macadam might be placed it was necessary to make an arrangement for such purpose with some property owner in the immediate neighborhood of the work to be done. My Superintendent of Highways, Mr. H. E. Buel, thereupon made an arrangement with Mr. Frederick Blauth at the rate of $50 per year. It was Mr. Buel's intention that formal application be made to your Commission for a lease, but owing to the press of official business he inadvertently omitted to bring this matter to my attention until to-day, so that I might make the proper request upon the Sinking Fund Commission for a lease. The stone and macadam have been since May 1, 1902 and are still on Mr. Blauth's property, and he has received no compensation from the City for the storage of this stone and macadam on his property. I consider the property to be leased suitable for the purpose indicated, as well as necessary. Pursuant to the resolution adopted by the Sinking Fund Commission, under date of October 22, 1902, I beg to inform you that the full name of the owner is Frederick Blauth, he himself being the owner of this property. A full description of the property is given above; lease to be from May 1, 1902, to December 31, 1903, and does not include the privilege of renewal; the rent, $50 per annum, to be paid semi-annually; the necessity for the lease is to have a place for the storage of the stone and macadam. The premises recommended are the most reasonable that can be secured in the neighborhood for the purpose desired. Very truly yours, GEORGE CROMWELL, President of the Borough. In connection therewith the Comptroller presented the following report and offered the following resolution: Hon. EDWARD M. GROUT, Comptroller: December 2, 1902. SIR--Hon. George Cromwell, President of the Borough of Richmond, in a communication bearing date November 25, 1902, requests the approval of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund for a lease of the following described premises situated at Stapleton, Staten Island: "Starting from a point 318.3 feet northerly along the easterly side line of Gray street from the northeasterly corner of Gray street and Hudson street; thence northerly along the easterly side line of Gray street for 56.35 feet; thence deflecting to the right 89 degrees 31 minutes 30 seconds, running easterly for 119.6 feet; thence deflecting to the right 90 degrees, running in southerly direction for 91.2 feet; thence deflecting to the right 106 degrees 40 minutes, running in westerly direction for 127.8 feet to the point and place of beginning. -for the use of the Bureau of Highways, Borough of Richmond, as a place for the storage of stone and macadam, for a term of one year and eight months from May I, 1902, to December 31, 1903, at the rate of $50 per annum, payable semi-annually; owner. Frederick Blauth, No. 39 Gordon street, Stapleton, Staten Island. Having caused these premises to be examined, I find them to consist of vacant lots, of an assessed valuation of about $600, which also is probably the present full market value of the same. The Bureau of Highways took possession previous to May 1, 1902, with the consent of the owner, and has used the same for the storage of stone and macadam, etc., |