53^ 



"which their color might be relieved would materially enhance their 



value. The process above referred to was understood to be an 

 experiment in this direction at the time it was laid down. 



FOUNTAIN. 



During the summer and fall season the temporary fountain 

 was in daily use, with the exception of a short period, during which 

 the supply was so limited as to barely meet the more urgent 

 demands of the city. The railing surrounding the basin lias been 

 cast and bronzed, and will be ready to set up as soon as the 

 weather will permit. The dome of artificial stone for the fountain 

 at the Plaza, manufactured by the Long Island Coignet Company, 

 has been prepared, and is now ready for delivery. It is intended 

 to put it in place during the ensuing season. 



The Plaza generally presents an unfinished appearance, due in 

 the main to the work in progress on its borders, and to the fact 

 that the bulk of the travel is from choice confined to the side roads, 

 which, being unpaved, are preferred by the driving public. 



The pavement bordering upon the City Railroad track is in 

 constant bad condition, and the company, whose duty it is to keep 

 it in order, should be required to properly repair this part of the 

 Plaza roadway. 



ARCHWAYS AND MASONRY. 



Early in the season the New York and Long Island Coignet 

 Company resumed work on Cleft-ridge Span, and completed so 

 much of the arch as remained unfinished at the date of my last 

 report. The roadway over the arch was thrown open to the public 

 early in spring. An ornamental pavement of Coignet stone has 

 been laid under the archway. All of this work has satisfactorily 

 withstood the effects of a winter and summer exposure, exhibiting 

 no marked signs of disintegration or other material defect. From 

 our experience and observations, I am led to believe that the use 

 of this material may be regarded desirable in many ways, a skill- 

 ful and thorough manipulation of the material being alone neces- 

 sary to secure uniformity and strength sufficient for all purposes of 

 general construction. 



MASONRY AT THE CONCERT GROVE. 



Early in the season the work of cutting stone was resumed for 

 the terraces of the Pedestrian Concourse, and later the setting of 

 masonry was commenced. As foundations of the stone-work of 



