Collections in fines, forfeitures, etc., $52,894.11, United States currency.

OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS.

This office was created by Act 496 and was organized February 7, 1903. The first incumbent was Señor Francisco Ortigas, who filled the office from its organization to April 15, 1903, when he resigned and was succeeded by the present incumbent, Señor Alberto Barreto.

Below is a statement of the operations of the office since its organization.

I.-Proceedings under the provisions of the mortgage law.

468

Titles presented for inscription ..........

II.-Proceedings under land registration act (Act 496).

Decrees of court transcribed and original certificates of property issued....... Conveyances of property which had already been registered and certificates issued

Mortgages and other contracts entered affecting estates registered in accordance with Act 496

Entries made in the so-called mortgage book in accordance with Act 496 (6 of sales and 1 of mortgage)

III.-Fees collected since the organization of the office.

In accordance with the mortgage law (Mexican currency)
In accordance with Act 496:

Mexican currency

United States currency

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE COURTS.

18

1

7

$4,898.44

78.39

34.00

There has been no change in the personnel of these offices. The amount of busi ness transacted has been substantially the same as for the preceding year, although there has been a slight increase in the receipts.

Below is a statement of the business transacted by the two courts during the year:

Collections, costs, and fees, $4,480.50, Mexican currency.

3,629

"

CONCLUSION.

It will be noted that during the period between the making of the last report and April 8, 1903, the department was in charge of Mr. W. L. Goldsborough. It only remains to be stated that the present city attorney, upon assuming his duties, found the department in excellent condition, thoroughly organized, and all litigation and other matters in charge of the office completely in hand and the books and accounts in excellent condition, results which must be attributed to the energetic and painstaking work of Mr. Goldsborough while at the head of the department. Lastly, the undersigned takes pleasure in reporting that the finances of the department are in first-class condition, and the best proof of this is that the income, after paying all expenses, leaves a surplus of about $15,000, Mexican currency, to be turned into the city funds.

Respectfully submitted,

MODESTO REYES,

EXHIBIT G.

City Attorney.

REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
[HUGH BONNER, Chief of Department.]

FIRE DEPARTMENT, CITY OF MANILA,
OFFICE CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT,
Manila, P. I., July 25, 1903.

The HONORABLE MUNICIPAL BOARD,

Manila, P. I.

GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to transmit herewith the annual report of the operations of this department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1903, together with such recommendations as are deemed necessary for betterment of the department.

Ninety-five alarms of fire were received by this department. The total estimated amount of loss and damage to buildings and their contents amounted to $1,085,429, United States currency. The time worked by companies at these fires was one hundred and seventy-two hours and thirty-three minutes. Forty-one thousand two hundred and eighty feet of hose were laid; 524 feet of ladders raised, and 1,980 gallons of chemical used.

By direction of your honorable board the department was called upon to destroy during the year a number of shacks infected with disease, under the supervision of a member or representative of the board of health, who was invariably present on such occasions. The department was present with apparatus as a matter of precaution to prevent the possible extension of the fire to adjoining buildings. In no instance was the fire permitted to extend to adjoining property. A complete report of these fires is submitted herewith and marked "Exhibit A."

ORGANIZATION.

The membership of the department at present consists of 100 officers and men.

The new fire station located in the San Nicolas district has been received from the hands of the contractors and placed in use. It is occupied by engine company No. 1, hook and ladder company No. 1, and chemical engine company No. 1. With a few alterations and repairs necessary for the comfort of the men, this station will be complete for the uses and purposes of this department.

In the quarters of engine company No. 2, located at No. 11 Calle Alcala, district of Santa Cruz, several alterations and repairs were rendered necessary, including the

setting up and placing in use of a water heater for the purpose of facilitating hot water for the boiler. There are some additional repairs to be made in this station, orders for which have been issued, and I expect to have them completed shortly. The quarters of engine company No. 3, located at No. 288 Calle Nozaleda, Paco district, have been entirely overhauled, repaired, and painted, and are now in excellent order.

The quarters of chemical engine company No. 3, located at No. 284 Calle Nozaleda, Paco district, have been entirely renovated and a recreation room attached for the use of the men of each company. This station is now in good repair and will not require any additional alterations or repairs at present nor for some time to come. The quarters of engine company No. 4, located at No. 27 Calle Audiencia, Intramuros, were formerly used as a storeroom by the street cleaning department and were turned over for the use of this department. These quarters were entirely overhauled, repaired, painted, and placed in first-class condition, and afford one of the most convenient and comfortable houses we have for the accommodation of men and apparatus. Light, ventilation, and sanitary conditions are entirely satisfactory.

The quarters of hook and ladder company No. 2 and chemical engine company No. 2, located at No. 11 Calle Concordia, Tanduay, Quiapo district, received but a small amount of repairs on account of contemplated erection of a new building on the present site in the near future. This building will in all probability be erected this season, the companies being in the meantime housed in temporary quarters in the immediate vicinity.

Rules and regulations for the guidance of the force were submitted to your honorable board for approval and were approved on November 5, 1902. These were caused to be printed in both Spanish and English, and bound copies were furnished to all members of this department.

The new uniform, together with the new style of buttons, cap devices, badges, and officers' insignia, which were approved by your honorable board, have been placed in use and are now worn by the uniformed members of this force.

The schools formerly used by the members of this department were discontinued on account of lack of appropriation, and there has been substituted in lieu thereof a practice form of drill, with apparatus and horses, and each company is required to practice early each morning on the days assigned for such work, continuing the year around, the weather permitting. This practice consists mainly in the methods and movements in vogue at fires, as well as the use of appliances, with a view to systemize the action of the officers and men while on duty at fires. This practice has had a beneficial result to the officers and men of the department, which could not have been obtained otherwise.

Number of horses owned by the department: American, 33; Australian, 1; and native, 11. During the fiscal year the department acquired by purchase 26 American horses, at an average purchase price to this department of $264 United States currency per head.

On November 7, 1902, the department sold at public auction, by order of the Philippine Commission, 2 native horses which were adjudged unfit for further service in this department.

On August 23, 1902, 1 American horse died suddenly of enteritis.

The city veterinarian destroyed horses for this department as follows: July 7, 1902, 1 American horse on account of comminuted fracture of the right metacarpal bone; October 30, 1902, 1 American horse on account of glanders; March 30, 1903, 1 American horse on account of glanders.

Under present conditions we are compelled to purchase horses from the quartermaster's department or dealers, most of which were in use in the cavalry branch of the military service and have never been accustomed to wearing a collar, and we also find many evidences of disease among them.

We are in hopes that some remedy will be devised whereby this department may obtain suitable horses. This can only be done by direct purchase from the United States, under contract, through the insular purchasing agent. This course would save a great amount of expense and trouble in the handling and conveyance of our apparatus.

The following apparatus, received under contract dated January 7, 1902, with the American Trading Company, was tested and placed in use, all of the requirements of the contract being satisfactorily complied with: 2 steam fire engines, Metropolitan, 3-horse hitch, capacity 700 gallons per minute; 4 chemical engines, 2-horse hitch, capacity 160 gallons each, carbonic-acid gas system; 2 hook and ladder trucks, 2-horse hitch, each carrying 182 feet of ladders; 4 hose wagons, 2-horse hitch, each with a carrying capacity of 1,000 feet of 24-inch hose.

The test of the engines was held September 23, 1902, and proved fully satisfactory, coming up to the standard of the contract. The above-named apparatus is complete, with all the improvements and apparatus necessary for effective fire work.

In addition to the above-named apparatus, there were also received under this contract, 1 chief's buggy, 1-horse hitch; 15 double sets quick-hitching harness and 2 single sets of quick-hitching harness (these harness are fitted with the Barry quickhitching hame extension collars); a Sigafoss ladder hoist; 2 Champion chemical fire extinguishers, hand, 3 gallons; 6,000 feet of standard 24-inch rubber-lined Paragon hose and a miscellaneous assortment of pipes, shut-off, control, and spray nozzles, and general supplies for the use of this department.

The following apparatus is in service and in good condition:

San Nicolas fire station.-Engine company No. 1, 1 Metropolitan steam fire engine and 1 hose wagon; chemical engine; hook and ladder company No. 1, 1 hook and

ladder truck.

Santa Cruz fire station.-Engine company No. 2, 1 steam fire engine, Metropolitan; 1 hose wagon; 1 supply cart; a chief's buggy; a deputy chief's buggy, and 1 chief engineer's cart.

Paco fire station.-Engine company No. 3, 1 steam fire engine (Merryweather, London, England), capacity 400 gallons per minute, unreliable; 1 hose wagon; a supply cart. Chemical engine company No. 4, 1 chemical engine.

Tanduay fire station.-Hook and ladder company No. 2, 1 hook and ladder truck; chemical company No. 2, 1 chemical engine. Five thousand feet of Amazon 23-inch hose and 6,000 feet of 24-inch Paragon hose is in active service with the engine companies.

On April 24, 1903, by authority of the municipal board, 1 steam fire engine (Shand, Mason & Co., London, England), complete with suction hose, couplings, wrenches, etc., was transferred to the department of engineering and public works, it being deemed unfit for further service in this department.

Contracts have been entered into by the insular purchasing agent for additional apparatus for the use of the department, some of which will probably be in use in a few months and the balance will be due about January 1, 1904. When this new apparatus has been placed in service it will complete the equipment of the depart ment, giving a total of 6 fire engine companies, which I think will be ample for the use of this city in protection against fire.

Additional equipment has been ordered for the use of this department, which consists of life nets, life belts, and scaling ladders, all of which are intended for the protection of lives at fires. Each company will be furnished with a part of this equip ment, and in emergency cases can be put to use by the first company to arrive at the scene of the fire.

Inspection of buildings was continued from time to time when found necessary to enforce regulations and requirements for safety against fire or dangers to life or property. There are many old and dilapidated buildings in the city, some of which should be razed, as they are a menace to the public.

Since my last report a new ordinance has been adopted, and its requirements rela tive to the safety of the general public when attending places of amusement enforced. The requirements of the new ordinance required the installation of certain fire appli ances, extra means of exit from all parts of the buildings, regulated the width of aisles, and provided that all doors open outward. The theaters that have been licensed by the city assessor and collector are regularly inspected in order that the requirements of this ordinance may be complied with. Whenever performances are rendered that cater to the citizens of this city a detail of firemen is on duty through out the entire performance, and the building is thoroughly inspected for evidence of fire both before and after performances.

The majority of the fire plugs, or street hydrants, being located on the surface of the streets, are frequently rendered unserviceable by traffic, the box surrounding them becoming filled with dirt and other refuse. The department for its own inspection purposes has divided the city into 10 inspection districts, each of these districts being under the supervision of one of the captains of this department. The hydrants are being continually inspected, and when they are found to be out of order report of such fact is immediately made to the superintendent of water supply, sewers, etc., thereby enabling such defects to be readily located and repaired. This is necessary for the proper protection of the city, and enables the firemen of this department to become acquainted with the location of the hydrants throughout the city.

The department of engineering has recently purchased a number of post hydrants, which are now being set in various portions of the city, particularly in the streets having large water mains. This will be a great improvement over the old plug, which will be replaced by this hydrant as soon as a sufficient number are on hand.