58 



and irritation to the residents, particularly of the Rumson Penin- 

 sula. I use these words advisedly, because there was, justly, a 

 great deal of irritation from those who had contributed their 

 money freely with the expectation of having a total elimination 

 of salt-marsh mosquitoes in the area in which they live, and 

 one year after they had paid their money, learning that they were 

 little better off than they were before. It, naturally, was very 

 hard to explain the matter to the residents living over a scattered 

 area who were none too familiar with mosquito problems. 



In the fall of 191 4 a certain number of gentleman of Mon- 

 mouth County realizing that, by invoking; the law, they could 

 obtain an appropriation for salt-marsh mosquito- extermination, 

 organized the Commission in the early spring of 191 4. They 

 obtained from the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the county 

 six thousand dollars for mosquito extermination work. Mr. 

 Raymond S. Patterson, who had served the previous year as 

 Chief Inspector of Middlesex County, the adjoining county to 

 ours, was appointed Chief Inspector. 



During 191 5, the Commission dug 268,441 linear feet at a 

 cost of $3,1199.45, or at the rate of 1.2 cts. a linear foot. Taking 

 this as a basis the Commission would have been able to dig the 

 246,822 linear feet of ditches done by the concern that did this 

 work at a labor cost of $3,451.86. In other words, if the Coin- 

 mission had been in existence at the time of the granting of the 

 South Shrewsbury River contract, they would have undertaken 

 to do the work for $4,548.14. 



It would have taken thirty-three men approximately thirty- 

 three days to complete the job; and the equipment to do this 

 would have cost — 



Boots, $90 00 



Tools, • • 40 00 



Miscellaneous, : 10 00 



$140 00 



The inspection necessary to cover the work — 



One Inspector, 3 months at $75 per month, $225 00 



One Inspector, expenses three months, 15 00 



Miscellaneous, 10 00 



$250 00 



