The conveyance of water in pipes through every part of this city, as well for the more convenient cleaning and washing of streets, alleys and lanes, as for the supply of the inhabitants. Then follow four other provisions as to draining low grounds, filling up slips, &c. As to the first point, the plan proposed by the Corporation is, that the business shall be executed by the Corporation for their own benefit and that, towards enabling them ;

to do this, the Legislature shall grant to them for a term of years the revenue arising from sales at auction. No other fund is indicated by the bill. Probably it is contemplated that loans may be obtained on the foundation of the revenue to arise from the supply of water, and the deficiency, if any, may be made up by taxes on the city. The success of this plan is problematical. It is doubtful whether the J .legislature diminished, as are some of the sources of the revenue on which it has for some time relied, will be willing to grant the fund arising from auctions for the -profit of the Corporation, for such a term as will make it go far towards accomplishing the object. Computing its annual amount at $30,000, if granted for 20 years, which is as much as can be hoped, it would be equal only to a capital of $344,097, 60, interest at 6 per cent,

CROTONAdUEDUCT. 97

But it is hardly to be expected that money can be borrowed at so low a rate. How far short will this be of the sum probably requisite ? This cannot be safely estimated at less than a million of dollars, if the business be done on a scale sufficiently extensive.