It was the occasion of the opening of a new Recreation Pier, and the children were out in force to take possession of their newly acquired property. When the present dock commissioners came into office they found an old law on the books of the city which had never been put in force. It provided that the dock commissioners could build an upper deck to any of the piers which jutted out into the river, and arrange it for the use of the people as a recreation pier, a place where the children could walk and run and romp and play, and the mothers could take the babies for a breath of fresh air on the summer nights, when their work was done. Finding the law on the books, these kindly men determined to carry it out, and so they built the pier at the foot of Third Street; and, when that was finished, began work on the one at East Twenty-fourth Street, which was opened the other day. [Illustration: RECREATION PIER] There are to be five of these piers in all--two on the west side, and three on the east. The pier was opened by the Mayor, amid much merry music and general good feeling. At the head of the pier a wooden band-stand had been erected. This was gaily decked with flags, and filled with chairs for the city fathers, who were to come and make speeches and give the pier to the people. Seats had been set aside for the children, and the little ones flocked to them in hundreds, seeming to feel that this pier was for their especial benefit. They crowded every entrance, eagerly waiting for the moment when the city should give the new building to the people. Presently the Mayor, Colonel O'Brien, and several others walked down the pier. Colonel O'Brien is the chief of the dock commissioners who have worked so faithfully to give the people this pleasure. As the Mayor came down the aisle the little ones cheered and cheered, and the big people joined them, and waved their handkerchiefs, and it was quite an exciting moment. Then the party mounted the decorated stand, and in a few pleasant words the Mayor presented the gift of the city to the people. He was followed by several other speakers, among them Mr. John Proctor Clarke, who said some very nice things to the children. He began by leaving the benches where the guests were seated, and walking across the stand until he was as near to the children as possible, for he said that what he had to say was intended for them, and not for the grown-ups, and so he wanted them to hear him clearly. "The Mayor," he said, "has given this pier to you; but do not think he has given it as a charity. He has given it to me as well as to you, he has given it to all the people who are here to-day, and all the people in the city of New York, not as a charity to us, but because now that the city has finished it, it belongs to us by right as citizens of this town.