I desire to again call your attention to the necessity of enforcing a rigid inspection of all boilers located within the city limits, and the licensing of all engineers, when found competent to fill such positions after a rigid examination.

A new ordinance regulating combustibles and explosives, and the storage, handling, and use of petroleum, has been enacted during the last year. This ordinance requires a great deal of time and attention by this department to keep in touch with the dealers as to the exact location of such materials while in storage and in transit. Since the enactment of this ordinance 24 permits for storage have been granted, 3 of which were for fireworks and the remaining 21 covered storages, as follows: Gum copal, 163,950 pounds; gum elemi, 35,000 pounds; varnish, 500 gallons; naphtha, 20,000 gallons; lubricating wax and oil, 1,000 barrels, and kerosene oil, 3,551,950 gallons.

There were also granted 18 permits for transportation of explosives and combustibles through the streets and waterways of this city.

The fire and police alarm system (Gamewell), constructed under the supervision of the electrical branch of this department, has been accepted and placed in use and has given complete satisfaction. The material received under contract has been entirely satisfactory, with the exception of one switchboard, which has been replaced by the contractor without cost to this department.

The following is a summary of the work done by the electrical branch of this department:

Molded 5,480 lead screws on iron-pole fixtures, Set 418 poles. Strung 182 miles of wire. Installed 75 fire-alarm boxes, 78 police boxes, central fire alarm and switchboard, battery board, 5 police desks and battery boards, 5 meter generators, 600-cell storage battery, fire gongs in 5 police stations; fire gongs, indicators, and electric horse releasers in 5 fire stations; fire gongs in residences of chief of police and inspector of police; 1 fire gong in La Electricista plant; ambulance gong and indicator in Philippine civil hospital; telephones in office and residence of chief of police, police headquarters, offices of captains at various police stations; 1 private police box at Bilibid prison; 11,897 incandescent lights, 202 fan motors, 32 power motors, 59 arc lights, 4 power dynamos, 385 meters, and placed automatic electric-light switches in each of the 5 fire stations in this department; constructed new telephone line from city hall to rotunda for city waterworks telephone, and telephone line from Santa Cruz fire station to fire stations Nos. 1, 4, and 5. These lines are the property of the city, but the telephones are rented from the Manila Telephone Company.

Santa Cruz, Tanduay, and Paco fire stations were rewired; all the wiring removed from the provost building; the court of land registration building, building occupied by the city attorney, Anloague police station, Parian police station, and the building occupied by the police court wired, and estimate made for electric lights in several other city buildings.

After the entire police circuits were built, a police station was established at Paco, and consequently the lines along calles Concepción, San Marcelino, and Nozaleda had to be rebuilt. The Santa Cruz police station was established and lines run, and afterwards changed to Santa Cruz fire station. The establishment of an ambulance station at the civil hospital also necessitated the rebuilding of the line from Santa Cruz fire station to Plaza Santa Ana on heavier poles. Several other changes in the police system necessitated the changing of various lines in the Walled City, along Calle Nueva, Ermita, and Calle Misericordia, Santa Cruz.

The inspection department of the electrical branch of the fire department issued 1,457 permits and 1,244 certificates, and collected $1,840 United States currency, in inspection fees, report of which has been rendered monthly to the auditor for the Philippine Archipelago and amounts deposited with the city assessor and collector. The electrician of the fire department is the city electrician, and is assisted in his work of enforcing the requirements of ordinance No. 36, and in the supervision and maintenance of the fire and police alarm system, by an assistant electrician and three American linemen.

In the construction and repair work there have been employed an average of 23 native laborers per month at an average daily wage of $1.67 local currency. These native laborers are experienced in line and general repair work, and while classed as laborers, their ability is above that of an ordinary native laborer, hence the apparently high wages when compared with the laborers of other departments.

It is contemplated in the near future to extend the fire and police alarm system throughout the various districts of the city, the great need of which is being daily felt by the department, as no companies are as yet located in many of these subdistricts, and by the placing of this contemplated extension, matters would be facilitated by giving quick alarm to distant companies in emergency cases.

WAR 1903-VOL 541

I recommend the erection of a new fire station, to be located near the city stables on Calle Azcarraga on city property. This locality is at present not protected by fire companies nearer than those at Santa Cruz and San Nicolas fire stations. The addition of this company would afford very ample protection for the Tondo district, as well as for the city property in the immediate vicinity.

I would also recommend the erection of a fire station in the vicinity of the rotunda, district of Sampaloc, which is now entirely unprotected against fire, the nearest company being the chemical engine company located at Tanduay. In the event of a fire occurring in this district, it will in all probability make great headway before the arrival of the steamer from Santa Cruz, and I request a favorable consideration for the protection of this locality against fire.

I have to thank the members of your honorable board for the many kindnesses and considerations shown this department, and express my appreciation of the zealous efforts of the member in charge of the affairs of this department toward the advancement of its interests.

Very respectfully,

HUGH BONNER, Chief of Department.