Another objection to the work being done by committees of the Corporation, seems to have been, that it was by day's work, and not by contract, and therefore less economical. All the other work on the aqueduct had been done by contract, and it is reasonably urged that the same practice should be observed in laying down the distributing pipes. The former Commissioners had so construed the then existing laws, as to terminate their duties and responsibilities at the distributing reservoir and they had so reported to ;

the Common Council. But this was antecedent to the law of 28th April. The Commissioners, after elucidating the grounds on which they differ as to this point from their predecessors, urgently pressed upon the Board of Aldermen for a decision, before the new Board came in, as the incumbents were familiar with the subject, and it would necessarily require some time for their successors to become so. No decision, however, was made. In August an ordinance was adopted, organising the Croton Aqueduct Department, to be composed

Of the Croton Aqueduct Committee, being a joint committee of three members 1.

from each Board, whose duties are thus defined :

2. All bills for expenditures incurred in relation to the said department, shall be carefully examined by the Croton Aqueduct Committee, and, if approved, shall be signed by the respective Chairman thereof, and paid. 3. The Croton Aqueduct Committee are hereby vested with the powers necessary for making all contracts in relation to the said department, and for conducting the waterworks, purchasing materials, and distributing the water; provided always, that the powers of the said Committee shall not be construed to interfere with those now vested in the Water Commissioners, and that the contracts of such Committee shall not exceed the amount of the moneys which may, from time to time, be appropriated for the several and the said Committee is hereby required to make reports monthly to objects aforesaid ;