FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 97 



to a better location has left between the Primate House and the 

 new building a building site which would serve such a purpose 

 as that foreshadowed by the logic of existing conditions. 



The Furnishing of the A(bninistratio7i Building. — After long 

 and careful deliberation, the Executive Committee caused plans 

 and specifications to be prepared for the furniture, rugs and 

 hangings that were required to furnish the new building. On 

 those plans, a contract was regularly advertised, and at a public 

 letting was awarded to Abraham & Straus, of Brooklyn, as the 

 lowest bidder, at $7,544.26. The work was very promptly taken 

 in hand, and prosecuted with the utmost regard to the views and 

 wishes of the Society. All the work and materials called for 

 were furnished in a manner highly satisfactory to the Society, 

 and the contract was completed within its time limit. The new 

 building is plainly but substantially furnished, and its equip- 

 ment has been chosen with a view to long wear with a minimum 

 of deterioration. 



Repairing Bronx River Dam, at the Boat-House. — Through 

 deteriorations due to old age, the dam at the Boat-House across 

 the course of the Bronx River, which forms Bronx Lake, became 

 so full of fissures that the leakage of water became very serious. 

 In dry seasons, it was impossible to maintain a water-level in the 

 lake that was adequate for our boating business. In addition to 

 that, grave fears were entertained that the dam might entirely 

 give way, and cause a calamitous loss of life and property be- 

 low it. 



It was decided that immediate repairs to the dam, of a very 

 comprehensive nature, were quite imperative. Accordingly, a 

 request was made to the Commissioner of Parks, Mr. Thomas J. 

 Higgins, that plans be prepared by his Chief Engineer, and a 

 contract let for the work required, with all possible despatch. 

 This request was granted, and immediately Chief Engineer 

 Schenck prepared a plan for a very substantial concrete facing 

 for the entire dam, set against the old structure, and faced on 

 the outside with rustic stone, so laid as to make a picturesque 

 cascade instead of the old-fashioned smooth-fronted waterfall. 

 The plan provided for a thirty-six-inch waste way, and a valve 

 to match, by which the lake can easily be drained off whenever 

 necessary. 



A contract for the very considerable construction work re- 

 quired was awarded to Henry E. Fox, at $6,514. The work was 



