Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1882 [PAGE 196]

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190

So much of the old material as could be used with profit in new construction has been so used. Of the rest enough has been sold to cover the expense of the demolition. Fair prices have been realized, and it has been thought wjser to dispose of the material than to incur a constant expense in its preservation. Meanwhile the State appropriation for buildings and grounds, needed for other purposes, will not be exhausted for this. The new dairy house is about ready for use. The iSvm cottage is ready for plastering, and will be finished by the end of this month. The boiler house has the roof ready for the metallic covering, and the machinists are setting the boilers within. The stone base of the smoke stack is ready to receive the brick superstructure. The work is now in such a state of forwardness that we expect it to be finished for use as soon as the season will require. As soon as it was evident that the reduction of the old building would be accomplished without a serious inroad upon the fund for buildings and grounds, attention was turned to the paintingiof the main building, and the work is nearly finished. It is very evident that this work should have been done before, and that the property has suffered in consequence of the delay. I would suggest that the woodwork of the Mechanical building is in like need, and that it be painted this season. Attention is called to the fence along the south line of Green street in front of the University Park. Its present condition is no credit to the State or the institution. A neat and durable fence, of cedar posts, wooden rails and iron rods, may be built at a moderate cost, and is much needed. I request that authority be granted to build such a fence, at a cost, including painting, not to exceed $500. Part of theceiling of the mansard story of the West Wing-fell two years ago, havingbeen loosened by water when a wind had uncovered the roof. If this ceiling be repaired and the room restored to a useful condition it can be most profitably occupied. A large amount of material is now scattered through the various engineering departments, consisting of models, drawings, shop work, etc., which would be very useful and interesting if collected, as the nucleus of a museum of engineering art. We have cases already on hand fit for the place, and much of the exhibit brought from Springfield will find there a place most suitable for its preservation. No expense need be incurred, for some time, beyond that required to put the room in order, while all the schools in the College of Engineering will be benefited by this means. An order was passed a year ago that the balance, if any should be left from appropriation for cases to be built in the museum, should be expended for a case in Professor Morrow's room, for the preservation of agricultural specimens; but no balance was found. I recommend that an appropriation of $150 be made for a case along the west-side of the Agricultural Lecture room. The cinder walks in the park need both draining and protection from washing; this can easily be effected by laying a narrow gutter on either side, using half brick, so set as toshow their square ends. We have a large supply of this material which is available for no better purpose. The position of the boiler house requires a rearrangement of t h e drives south of the main building. An appropriation of $800 was made for extending the cases in Library. I recommend, that the amount be used in extending the cases and balcony along the south side and so far on the west side as may be possible, according to the style of the work now upon the east side. The movable cases displaced by this extension may be arranged compactly at the south end in such a way as tp facilitate the administration of the Library, by gathering the books most used in the immediate vicinity of the place where they are issued. This work can be done in the Architectural Shops, and can probably be made ready to put in place during the winter vacation. I recommend that authority be given to the usual committee to expend $1,000 from the Library fund, for purchase of books and periodicals. Prof. Taft asks for the purchase of a collection of foot-prints from the red sandstone of the Connecticut river. This collection I have inspected. It has been gathered by an expert, long engaged in searching the quarries of that very interesting locality. It could not easily be duplicated, and is fully worth the price asked, besides filling an important place in our museum. I invite your attention to Prof. Burrill's request for an assignment from the Laboratory fund. While the sum asked is more than the exact share of the Department of Botany, the case is one in which a needed instrument cannot be had for a small price. The Professor of Chemistry cordially indorses the request, as one which will inure to the benefit of his department also. I ask from the same fund $150 for acoustic apparatus for the Physical Laboratory. It will be remembered that two years ago a request was made that the Machine Shop be permitted to build a drill press for its own use. This machine served, in building, as a practical les-on for two years to the students of that department by whom it was constructed. It is now finished, a very necessary and creditable piece of work, and one which attracts much attention as an exponent of the practical character of our instruction. In continuation of the same policy, and for like useful ends, I ask that authority be given to construct a milling machine, to cost not-over $175. The work will extend over one year, and probably more, while the machine will add greatly to the facility of the shop* Professor Wood renews his request, made at the last meeting of the Board, for an appropriation of $100 for construction of a rifle range. An entirely suitable place has been found on the south farm, beyond the cemetery, in which location both the Professor of Agriculture and the Regent concur. For the usual appropriations for current expenses, I refer you to the schedule of the Business Agent, whfoh I ask you to approve. I further suggest that from the legislative appropriation of $5,700, made at the last session, you direct that the salaries of two monthsbe paid.