The number of real estate conveyances file for record during twelve months ended June 30, 1904, was 6,513, and the amount of expressed consideration was $6,302,837. This is an increase over the previous year of $1,096,206, or at the rate of 21.1 per cent., and in two years of $2,781,428, or at the rate of 79.0 per cent. ACTIVITY IN BUILDING OPERATIONS. There has been a phenomenal increase in building operations at TACOMA amounting to no less than 855.8 per cent. in five years last past. The following is the official record of the building inspector, showing the number and estimated cost of dwellings and total building operations for which permits were issued during the last six years. The building inspector’s record does not cover a large amount of building in the immediate suburbs of TACOMA, for industrial and residence purposes. Twelve Mos. Dwellings. Total Permits. ending June Number. Cost. Number. Cost. 1904 845 $883,068 1,429 $1,691,105 1903 620 665,895 1,043 1,543,755 1902 447 491,005 779 869,492 1901 251 316,640 652 692,156 1900 130 97,350 422 417,845 1899 74 51,195 371 176,934 Notwithstanding the investment of millions of dollars in TACOMA realty and improvements, the mortgage indebtedness shows no appreciable increase. In 1903, realty transfers reciting a consideration of $4,646,537, were recorded and permits were issued in the city of TACOMA for improvements estimated to cost $1,700,000. The net increase in the mortgage indebtedness, as shown by the record of mortgages and mortgage releases, was $169,655, or only 2.6 per cent. of the amount involved in real estate purchases and improvements. FEDERAL BUILDING AND COLLECTIONS. The federal government has purchased a site for a much needed public building at TACOMA, which will shortly be erected. TACOMA is the headquarters of the new Internal Revenue Collection District of Washington and Alaska. Federal collections at TACOMA for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1903, were as follows: Internal revenue, $688,696.50; customs, $301,039.32; postoffice receipts, $113,598.66; total, $1,103,334.48. Postoffice receipts have increased at the rate of 132.1 per cent. in seven years. [Illustration: 1—Mason Library, Whitworth College. 2—Annie Wright Seminary from Wright Park. 3—Administrative Building, University of Puget Sound. 4—Residence and Boys’ Dormitory, Whitworth College. ] MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS AND UTILITIES.