USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Williamsburg > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Williamsburg 1895-1915 > Part 1
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Meekins
Library
Williamsburg Mass
INTER FOLIA FRUCTUS
CLASS
Book
VOL.
97.6 389
...
1
ACCESSION No 13623
GIFT OF
Williamsburg Grange
NOT TO BE TAKEN from the building
WILLIAMSBURG TOWN REPORTS *1895-1915
Presented by Williamsburg Grange, Inc., No. 225
MAY, 1954 Sept
Compiled and Bound by RAYMOND A. and ESTELLA D. WARNER
*1845-1894: By Miss Mary Carter (Now in possession of Mrs. Wells Bisbee)
REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN, TREASURER,
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
OF THE
Town of Williamsburg
FOR THE
4
YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 1st, 1896.
1895
NORTHAMPTON, MASS .: WADE & DANIELS, PRINTERS. 1896.
REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN, TREASURER,
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
OF THE
Town of Williamsburg 1
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 1st, 1896.
NORTHAMPTON, MASS. : WADE & DANIELS, PRINTERS. 1896.
Reports, 1855-1894 Inclusive-Round by Why, mary Caster: mye volume-nous un
Articles in Warrant for Annual Town Meeting.
FIRST .- To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
SECOND .- To elect three Selectmen, one Town Clerk, one Treasurer, one Elector under the Will of the late Oliver Smith, Esq., two Constables, one Tax Collector, all for one year. Also one School Committee for three years, and to vote on the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors ?" Yes or No, all on one ballot.
THIRD .- To choose all necessary minor town officers for the ensuing year.
FOURTH .- To revise and accept a list of jurors nominated by the Selectmen.
FIFTH .- To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the current expenses of the town.
SIXTH .- To provide for the current expenses of the town in anticipation of taxes.
SEVENTH .- To hear the report of the Selectmen, Treas- urer, School and other Committees, and act thereon.
EIGHTH .- To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of Money for Memorial Day, and choose a committee to expend the same.
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3
NINTH .- To choose a committee to expend the income of the Whiting Street Fund.
TENTH .- To see if the town will raise and appropriate money to build and repair sidewalks in town.
ELEVENTH .- To see if the town will raise and appro- priate a sum of money for the running of street lights.
TWELFTH. - To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the painting of the iron bridges in town.
THIRTEENTH .- To see if the town will take any action with regard to revising its By-laws.
4
Selectmen's Report.
TREASURY RECEIPTS.
Balance from 1894,
$476 53
Received from Town of Athol,
162 75
on sidewalk account, 1894,
16 95
66 Taxes, current year,
10,783 08
66 For rent of Town Hall,
28 50
66 Whiting Street Fund,
230 00
66 State Corporation Tax,
217 94
66 National Bank Tax,
956 73
State and Military Aid,
647 00
66 Dog Tax,
124 77
State School Fund,
369 20
State Supt. School Fund, 238 37
Collins School Fund,
687 28
66 Dividend N. Y., N. H. and H. R.R. Co., 276 00
District Court Fines.
98 00
66 Auctioneers, Butchers, and Drug- gists Licenses, 7 00
66 From City Northampton, (Alvord,) 35 75
66 From Town of Colerain, (Bresette,) 27 33
For old plank, 3 81
66 For use of derrick, 16 00
66 For rent of Strang place,
12 00
66 Temporary Loans, 8,500 00
From Mr. Boyd for gravel, 1 80
From sale of School house, 12 00
$23,928 79
5
TREASURER'S STATEMENT.
Total receipts,
$23,928 79
Paid State Tax,
$570 00
County Tax,
1,444 18
Memorial Committee, 50 00
Almoners of Whiting Street Fund,
230 00
State and Military Aid, 706 00
Poor Account,
2,186 73
Fire Department,
102 50
Street Lights,
408 74
Highways and Bridges,
1,406 17
Schools,
6,153 27
Contingent Account,
1,539 49
Sidewalk Account,
385 11
Interest Account,
595 26
Special Police,
60 00
Cleaning sidewalks of snow,
5 00
Special repairs on school house at Hay- denville,
569 04
Temporary Loans,
7,428 24
Balance cash on hand, 89 06
23,928 79
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY W. HILL, Treas.
6
CONTINGENT ACCOUNT.
C. C. Connell, ballot clerk, 1894-95, $10 00
A. P. Miller,
one meeting, 2 50
J. Walter Nash, “
2 50
F. H. Learned,
66
2 50
J. D. Staab,
66
66
60
2 50
E. H. Miller,
66
6
two meetings,
5 00
Homer E. Bradford, Registrar,
5 00
Henry E. Wright, 66
5 00
A. G. Cone, 66
5 00
C. A. Phillips, 66
5 00
Jesse Wells, Ballance, 15 00
Joseph Ball, labor on tool house,
75
H. H. Tilton, care of Town Hall, 6 50
Dewey Williams, care of Town Hall, 18 25
H. G. Chapman, bridge plank,
158 94
W. E. Pillinger, cattle inspector, 15 00
G. W. Lawley, 82 95
C. C. Hosford, sundry expenses, 4 15
P. B. Murphy, Field books, 3 75
Postage, stationery, expressage, blank books, 14 48
E. T. Barrus, oil and chimnies for town hall, 60
L. D. James, oil and chimnies for town hall, 1 24
30 00
Gazette Printing Co.,
R. W. Irwin, services in Boston, 3 00
F. A. Brooks, expressage, 1 15
F. A. Stebbins, repairs water pipe, 1 00
P. H. Chew, binding records, 9 00
Homer Foot & Co., rope for derrick, 23 89
J. A. Sullivan, pulley blocks and clamps, for derrick, 22 86
H. W. Sampson, labor on Strang house, 9 91
Wm. J. Warner, 21 43
10 39
Savings Bank, interest on Strang loan, 18 00
F. P. Crosby, school committee, 75 00
F. E. Porter, 66
65 00
Insurance on school house,
48 10
John Lucas, 66 66
7
A. G. Cone, school committee,
$60 00
H. A. Bisbee, constable, 22 80
John Phinney, coal for lock-up, 1 50
C. W. Fay, services as Auditor,
2 50
C. W. Fay, repairing ballot box, H. C Smith, copying valuation, 10 00
2 00
Paid express, freight and telephoning, 1 73
Paid expenses to Westfield in Pauper case, 1 30
Byron Loomis, services as elector,
10 00
Sanford, Sawtelle Co., tax blanks,
3 00
H. G. Hill, services Town Clerk and Treas., 100 00
H. G. Hill, services as Registrar, 8 00
H. G. Hill, expenses to Hadley, 1 50
H. G. Hill, recording births, deaths, and marriages, 22 95
Selectmen, Assessors and Overseers of Poor, 300 00
Abatement of Taxes, 38 37
Jesse Wells, services as collector,
165 00
Jesse Wells, care of Hearse, . 28 50
For Physicians certificates of births,
7 50
Lawrence Malloy, District Court fees,
24 55
Henry A. Bisbee, District Court fees,
22 95
--
$1,539 49
AMOUNT AVAILABLE FOR CONTINGENT.
Appropriation,
$200 00
National Bank Tax,
956 73
Rent of Town Hall,
28 00
From District Court,
98 00
Auctioneers, Butchers and Druggists licenses,
7 00
Old plank sold,
3 81
Use of derrick,
16 00
Rent of Strang place,
12 00
Earth sold Mr. Boyd,
1 80
$1,323 34
8
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.
There was an extra expense of $191.14 for breaking roads and also of $175.00 caused by the freshet in April which reduced by that much the amount rightfully belonging to ordinary repairs.
The following statement is given by districts :-
Summer.
Winter.
John O'Neil,
labor,
$105 25
$ 2 85
Wm. L. Sanderson,
66
2 25
4 62
George Brazell,
66
4 50
2 85
George Cheney,
3 00
1 13
Wm. O'Brien,
66
4 50
Alanson Nash,
66
28 25
Alvan G. Kinney,
66
8 25
P. McGowan,
66
1 50
Fred Brazell,
2 25
L. H. Longley,
66
3 38
L. A. Alexander,
66
1 95
O. C. Knight,
1 95
1 20
Lewis Alvord,
2 54
Dorus Cheney,
66
2 33
John Alvord,
38
John Ice,
1 65
J. S. Graves,
6 25
I. C. Graves,
1 20
II. D. Waite,
1 72
HI. E. Nash,
2 00
Myron N. Adams,
66
2 25
II. W. & H. L. Graves, “
91 41
F. L. Washburn, 66
27 00
1 50
Frank O'Brien,
66
6 00
Dennis Brazell,
5 40
J. F. Wells,
8 05
Jesse Wells,
6 00
George Thresher
66
9 50
Wm. O'Brien,
3 00
9
Summer. Winter.
H. C. Pomeroy,
labor,
$116 70
Richard Keating,
21 30
Wm. Fairfield,
66
1 80
L. Larkin,
$1 20
Geo. Phillips,
1 95
John Welch,
66
1 80
B. Loomis, 66
3 68
C. C. Hosford, 66
2 10
E. H. Miller,
66
90
O. H. Emerick,
1 05
Henry Donsereau,
66
1 20
Robert Damon,
39 16
7 65
Charles R. Damon,
57 05
14 60
C. Truhart,
16 50
1 50
Fred Truhart,
66
18 00
Wm. O'Brien,
66
13 50
L. Dolan,
66
6 90
E. H. Hawks,
1 05
J. F. Clapp,
5 35
H. A. Bisbee,
1 50
James Kelly
66
3 00
S. De Martin,
2 00
A. M. Shaw,
66
2 02
C. E. Tileston,
66
135 99
G. H. Bisbee,
66
38 92
Geo. Loomnis,
27 00
2 02
Albert Lawton,
66
2 72
97
II. W. Hitchock,
8 52
2 02
G. M. Bradford,
8 90
Walter Loomis,
90
Howard Loomis,
66
90
Adelbert Wait,
97
Chauncey Eddy,
66
18 00
H. H. Cranson,
66
4 35
Fred Guilford,
16 00
H. S. Leonard,
8 00
10
Summer.
Winter.
W. E. Pillinger,
labor,
$133 73
$3 75
O. H. Everett,
10 00
Wm. Brown,
75
G. W. Lawley,
3 90
F. Shumway,
1 65
A. Holmes,
66
3 45
J. Vachalle,
1 65
A. S. Bartlett, 66
38
H. A. Bisbee & Son, 66
60
C. Truhart, & Son. 66
60
H. H. Tilton,
66
30
A. L. Towne
3 50
H. H. Nichols,
66
15 47
5 71
C. A. Nichols,
66
11 35
4 58
Chauncey Eddy
6 6
3 00
Frank Loomer,
1 50
Walter Leonard,
is
2 62
D. B. Bradford, 66
33 30
10 75
G. F. Warner,
16 00
5 00
C. W. &. W. W. Brad- ley, 66
8 40
Henry Warner,
66
3 22
Wm. Burns,
1 34
D. O. Wait,
66
2 10
E. P. Hemenway, 66
27 85
19 19
$1,122 00 $191 14 $1,313 14
$ 1 21
G. M. Bradford, lumber,
15 63
S. W. & A. B. Lee, drain tile,
26 64
Haydenville Mfg. Co., castings,
5 40
H. W. Hosford, old bill,
15 00
B. Loomis, lumber,
6 40
L. D. James, mdse,
11
E. T. Barrus, scraper and nails,
$10 25
J. Breckenridge, earth,
1 90
H. G. Hill, earth,
5 65
Lucinda K. Nash, earth and labor,
4 95
$1406 17
Appropriated,
$1,000 00
Corporation tax,
217 94
$1,217 94 Balance,
$188 23
PAUPER ACCOUNT.
Mrs. Oliver Grace,
$145 37
Mrs. Ellen Williams, at hospital,
169 46
Mrs. Margaret Moakler,
71 75
Mrs. William Keating;
65 00
Miss Saloma Warner,
133 38
Mrs. John O'Brien and family,
72 00
Mrs. F. Montgomery and family,
104 95
Mrs. Ellen Witherell and family,
110 50
Mrs. John A Young and family,
56 00
Wm. Herman and family,
55 21
Gideon Morin and family,
40 50
Frank Cowan and family,
144 75
John B. Wheel and family,
21 00
Phillip Babineau and family,
10 65
C. A Annable and family,
21 00
James Welch and family,
21 45
Truman Carlton,
137 75
James M. Nichols,
84 78
Lyman Ames,
334 00
George H. Day,
13 20
David Pittsinger, deceased,
160 90
Mrs. Albert Asher, deceased,
25 50
Mrs. Edna Hunt, Con way,
39 95
Charles Brissette and family, Colerain,
27 33
Dorus Alvord, Northampton,
35 75
12
Dorus Alvord, funeral expenses, Joseph Coburn funeral expenses, 46 Tramps,
$31 00
35 00
18 60
$2,186 73
AVAILABLE FOR POOR.
Appropriation,
$1,500 00
Interest on R. R. Stock,
276 00
Due from other towns,
103 03
Due from State for funeral expenses,
66 00
$1,945 03
Balance,
$241 53
SIDEWALKS.
WILLIAMSBURG VILLAGE.
Expense 592 yards Concrete Walk,
$328 58
Received from abuttors, 137 59
$190 99
Appropriation,
$200 00
HAYDENVILLE.
Expense 546 yards Concrete walk,
$313 91
Received from abuttors, 119 79
$194 12
Appropriation,
$200 00
CLEANING SNOW FROM SIDEWALKS.
Paid Dewey Williams, $5 00
Appropriation, $5.00
13
STREET LIGHTS.
WILLIAMSBURG VILLAGE.
H. E. Wright, Committee.
Lighting, oil, etc., 45 lamps 126 nights, $189 08
13 39
$202 47 Extra repairs,
Appropriation, $225.
HAYDENVILLE.
H. D. James, Committee.
Lighting, oil, etc., 37 lamps 105 nights, $151 42
54 85
Extra repairs,
$206 27
Appropriation, $225.
SPECIAL REPAIRS ON SCHOOL BUILDING IN HAYDENVILLE.
Paid Wm. J. Warner,
$339 15
M. C. Howard,
205 48
F. A. Stebbins,
14 87
H. W. Sampson,
8 27
F. M. Holmes,
75
Smith & Fay,
52
$569 04
Appropriation, $600.
MEMORIAL DAY.
Paid G. H. Ames, committee. $50 00
Appropriation, $50.
14
INTEREST ACCOUNT.
Paid Forbes Library Trustees,
$400 00
Haydenville Savings Bank, 195 26
. $595 36
Appropriation, $650.
SPECIAL POLICE.
Paid Lawrence Malloy, $60 00
Appropriation, $120 00
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Paid E. W. Dimes for Haydenville Fire Co., $100 00
Paid G. M. Bradford for wood, 2 50
$102 50
Appropriation, $200.00.
The Committee of the Whiting Street Fund respectfully sub- mit this report for the year ending Feb. 1, 1896. Cash received from Town Treasurer, $230, which has been distributed as follows :
Mrs. Michael Burke,
$9 00
66 William Mahar,
9 00
M. Connell, 8 00
Frances Sharp,
8 00
Champion Brown,
8 00
John Phillips,
8 00
66
Thomas Walpole,
8 00
66 John Ellsworth,
8 00
66 Morris Foran.
8 00
Louisa Bryant,
7 00
66 Edwin Everett,
7 00
15
Mrs. C. Harlow,
$7 00
William Connelly,
6 00
66 Mary O'Neil, 6 00
66 Emily Ludden,
6 00
Walter Forsyth,
5 00
Simeon Bartlett,
5 00
66 Michael Fenton,
5 00
Charles Marks,
5 00
66
Hugh McGee,
5 00
Lewis Guilford,
5 00
Miss Minnie Leonard,
6 00
Miss Addie Alvord,
6 00
Mrs. L. Hitchcock,
8 00
Johanna Smith,
5 00
George Cheney,
5 00
Mr. William Brazill,
8 00
Mrs. Dorcas Chapman,
5 00
Jane Cowing,
5 00
Mr. Nazarre Lampreaux,
4 00
Edward Fowler,
5 00
Festus Hayden,
8 00
Georgie Forsyth,
5 00
Mr. John French,
8 00
Mrs. Macomber,
5 00
Mr. C. Kaplinger,
4 00
$230 00
CHARLES L. HOSFORD, LUTHERA LUDDEN, Almoners.
SCHOOL ASSETS.
Balance due from 1894,
$128 46
Town appropriation,
3,300 00
Superintendent,
350 00
Text books and supplies,
300 00
General Repairs,
200 00
High School at Williamsburg extra,
100 00
16
Special repairs at Williamsburg, extra,
$375 00
Dog Tax, 124 77
State School Fund,
369 20
Superintendent Fund from State,
238 37
Collins Fund income,
687 28
From sale of School House,
12 00
$6,185 08
Amount expended as per treas. statement $6153 27
Balance due schools, 31 81
$6,185 08
TOWN ASSETS.
Remainder in Treasury,
$89 06
Due for State Aid to Dec. 1, 1895,
520 00
Military Aid, Dec. 1, 1895,
90 00
Due from State for burial of Soldiers, 66.00
One half expense cattle inspection, 41 47
Town of Conway, (Edna Hunt) 39 95
Ninety two shares R. R. stock, 9,200 00
Due on taxes of current year,
1,209 00
Balance, 379 14
--- $11,634 62
TOWN LIABILITIES.
Due Forbes Library Trustees, $10,000 00
Note at Haydenville Savings Bank, 1,500 00
31. 81
Outstanding bills,
102 81
--- $11,634 62
ASSETS OF COLLINS SCHOOL FUND.
21 Shares First National Bank Greenfield.
21 Shares First National Bank, Northampton.
21 Shares Hampshire County National Bank.
31 Shares Northampton National Bank. 20 Shares Mechanics National Bank, Worcester. $1,400 Cash in Haydenville Savings Bank.
1895
Due Schools,
17
REVISED LIST OF JURORS 1896.
W. W. Nash, Geo. W. Lawley, E. T. Barrus, Joseph W. Page, Jr., Dorus B. Bradford, George H. Bisbee, Lawrence Morrissey, G. M. Bradford, Herbert Richardson, C. W. Fay, James Mans- field, Jr., Henry W. Graves, Clesson W. Bradley, E. G. Snow, William H. Hosford, Hiram G. Hill, Abner Damon, O. H. Em- rick, John W. Hill, Frebun E. White, Edwin F. Miller, Abra- ' ham Tanner, James H. O'Brien, Henry E. Wright, Lawrence Coogan, Patrick J. Kelley, Frank C. Richards, Frank C. Graves, Lionel B. Lawrence.
Respectfully submitted,
H. C. SMITH, JOHN O'NEIL, H. L. GRAVES, Williamsburg.
Selectmen of
We the undersigned hereby certify that we have examined the accounts of the Selectmen and Treasurer of the town of Wil- liamsburg; find them correctly stated and properly vouched for to the best of our knowledge and belief.
F. W. THAYER, Auditors. W. M. PURRINGTON,
WILLIAMSBURG, Feb. 17th, 1896.
18
DOGS.
Whole number licensed, 84
Whole number males at $2, 81,
$162 00
Whole number of females, at $5, 3,
15 00
Clerk's Fees,
16 80
Paid County Treasurer,
$160 20
HENRY W. HILL, Town Clerk.
Vital Statistics of the Town of Williamsburg, for the Year 1895.
MARRIAGES RECORDED.
Whole number,
17
BIRTHS RECORDED.
Males, 16
Females,
14
Whole number, 30
DEATHS RECORDED.
Males,
14
Females,
20
Whole number, 34
Over 60 years of age,
15
Under 5 years of age,
10
HENRY W. HILL, Town Clerk.
$177 00
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Williamsburg,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1896.
REPORT
-
To the Citizens of Williamsburg :
In accordance with law and custom, we present to you the following report.
SCHOOLS.
We have maintained during the past year fifteen schools, with a total membership of 449.
With one or two exceptions our schools are in their usual good condition. But owing to the necessity of a great many changes in our corps of teachers during the past year, and the unreliability of recommendations, they are not all what we wished or expected they would be. To secure and retain teachers for our schools, that combine the three-fold requisites of learning, aptness to teach, and discipline, is an exceedingly difficult task.
One great factor in the success of schools, is the interest shown by parents and friends. To those who have mani- fested their interest by visiting our schools, we would say, it is appreciated by teachers and school officials. No school can be at its best, without the hearty co-operation of parents, teachers, and pupils. The school in Searsville during last winter's session had such a small attendance, that it was thought best by your committee to transport the scholars t the village for the spring term, but on account of the in- crease in the number of pupils, and the expressed protest of
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22
the people of the District against closing the school it was reopened for the fall and winter terms. We have con- tinued the transportation of pupils from the West District with less expense than formerly, there being only a few who attend school from there.
There was such a large attendance at the Purrington school that an assistant was employed. There are also one or two other schools so large that it may be necessary to em- ploy additional help in order to do justice to the pupils.
In the purchase of our text books and supplies, we have endeavored to secure such as would be best adapted to the advancement of the scholars. Under the efficient manage- ment of our Supt. E. W. Goodhue, we have been able to se- cure them at reduced rates as usual.
REPAIRS.
Each year brings a call for some alteration or improve- ment in our school houses. Some changes have been made in the North District school house, and at Mountain street. As there was no further use for the school house near Robert Loud's, it was disposed of by your committee. At the commencement of the year, we intended to kalsomine the rooms of the Williamsburg High School building, but on inspection they were found to be in such condition that it was thought best to give them a thorough coating of paint, which we think will prove more durable and economical in the end. Some needed repairs have been made on the chim- ney, and a grate put in the stove in upper room. After a year's trial of the jacketed stoves, we are convinced of their superiority as a means of heating and ventilation.
The repairs on the Haydenville High School Building, which were left in the hands of our board of selectmen have been well attended to, but the floor in the High School room is in bad condition and should be replaced by a new one this season. It would doubtless save expense, to put in
23
new desks and seats in this room, in connection with laying the floor, as many of the present ones are broken and out of order.
It is perhaps needless to call your attention to the outside of the Williamsburg High School building as it is evident that it needs to be repainted. We ask that an appropria- tion be made to clapboard and paint it this year.
We recommend the following appropriations for the en- suing year:
Schools,
$3,300 00
Superintendent,
350 00
Text Books and Supplies,
300 00
Repairs,
200 00
High Schools,
100 00
Respectfully submitted,
F. E. PORTER, F. P. CROSBY, School Committee. A. G. CONE,
Superintendent's Report.
To the School Committee of Williamsburg :
GENTLEMEN :- The annual report of the Superintendent of Schools is herewith submitted for your consideration.
In general, the schools of the district have been well con- ducted and profitable. No radical changes have been at- tempted as none seemed necessary at any time. A faithful . attempt has been made to watch carefully the kind and amount of work done that it might be continually progres- sive and along the established lines.
The hinderances to perfectly satisfactory work mentioned in last year's report yet remain, and will continue without doubt in most rural districts, though an honest, persistent effort to overcome them must result in great improvement. In the town of Sunderland these are reduced to the mini- mum. Whether the present system is fully satisfactory to the people of the town or not, remains to be ascertained. At present, all the scholars in the town are accommodated in one building; there has been no change in the corps of teachers, and the attendance has been good. The greatest interruption to connected and satisfactory results in the schools has been caused by unavoidable change of instruc- tors and irregularity of attendance.
The experience of the past year again strongly empha- sizes the truths, so long known to the best educators, that a change of teachers, except when absolutely necessary,
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25
must work some harm to the school; and that the selection of teachers requires the most careful deliberation, thorough investigation and the exercise of judgment acquired from experience and special study.
An inexperienced and not professionally drilled person is unfit to undertake the instruction of others simply because he does not know how. Apply this to the practice of med- icine and its truth is quickly apparent. The best interest of the school must be paramount with every school officer -and all citizens should so understand-and he who cannot rise above. personal considerations or prejudice in the discharge of his duties is unfit for the position. Of course, the truly conscientious officer often must endure unmerited reproach and even abuse since there are yet to be found occasional individuals whose moral obtuse- ness is so great that they cannot understand how any one can act merely from a sense of duty.
The statement is sometimes made that a town is under some obligation to the graduates of its own schools. This is a mischievous idea as it tends to lessen the desire for special preparation in those wishing to teach, and practical- ly places a premium on inefficiency. The fact is that grad- uates are under obligations to the town and state for the educational advantages they have so freely enjoyed. Good evidence of excellence is required from all wishing to teach, and when desirable qualifications are equal then, and then only, can considerations have weight.
A gratifying evidence of increased confidence in the methods of instruction and general management is the de- crease of adverse' criticism and the kind mention so often made of the schools.
WILLIAMSBURG SCHOOLS.
In most of the schools of this town the usual good stan- dard of work and discipline has been maintained, the classes
26
have been kept well together and good progress made. The results of the year's work are not quite as satisfactory as last year owing, chiefly, to unavoidable interruptions where change of teachers occurred. Wherever our experienced teachers have had charge, progress has been quite satisfac- tory, and the same may be said in the cases of some of the more inexperienced.
The small graduating classes not admitting of the cus- tomary exercises, it was thought best to have general closing exercises in which those who had completed the course should take leading parts. The events were very success- ful and crowded halls indicated the public interest in the occasions. The graduates acquitted themselves honorably and the essays and recitations were very creditable.
The following graduated from Haydenville High School, Nora G. Hickey, Anna M. Bartlett, Frank Dunlavy, and from the Williamsburg, Gilbert Shaw, Jesse Shaw.
The usual statistics will be found in the table below Special attention is called to the number of days lost by tardiness and dismissal in the Haydenville schools.
C
SCHOOLS.
No. of Weeks.
Boys Enrolled.
Girls Enrolled.
Scholars
Registered.
Total Attendance
in Days.
Average
Attendance.
Average
Membership.
Per cent. of
Attendance.
Tardy Marks.
No. Days Lost by
Tardiness and
Dismissal.
No. of Visitors.
No. not Absent.
High,
36
13
18
38
4945.5
27.48
28.69
95.78
56
14.15
55
0
Intermediate,
32
14
19
43
4116.5
25.73
27.00
95.30
278
16.73
85
0
Primary,
32
22
22
47
4319.5
27.02
30.08
89.83
302
8.33
59
0
Nash Street,
32
5
7
12
1475.
9.35
10.31
90.69
26
4.96
35
0
North Street,
32
8
5
13
1274.5
7.92
8.40
94.29
51
5.05
46
0
South Street,
32
6
9
15
1824.
11.35
12.26
92.59
35
6.58
15
0
Searsville,
22
4
4
17
1088.
9.84
11.41
86.24
56
4.00
26
0
Skinnerville,
32
8
8
16
1882.5
11.68
11.99
97.41
9
2.24
41
2
Mountain Street,
32
3
13
16
2002.5
12.78
13.49
94.74
49
3.19
62
0
Haydenville.
High,
36
19
12
43
4730.
25.30
28.41
89.05
198
44.58
35
0
Grammar,
32
16
18
48
4385.
27.49
30.32
90.66
152
50.12
42
0
Intermediate,
32
24
18
53
5629.
35.07
37.28
94.07
93
17.92
43
0
Second Primary,
32
21
21
63
6380.
39.48
42.90
92.03
68
27.19
37
0
Purrington Primary,
32
34
25
60
6800.5
45.58
42.48
93.20
150
7.22
61
0
Maple St. Primary,
32
28
25
53
5933 5
37.3
39.6
94.19
148
5.75
42
U
Totals,
225
224
537
56,786.
1671
218.01
684
2
Pupils not absent during the year, Mary Dolan, Ray Sornborger.
27
No. of
28
TEACHERS.
The remarks elsewhere made in this report will give a pretty clear idea of the character of our instructors. De- voted to their profession, earnest in their desire to know and do the best, determined to succeed and overcome all obsta. cles eveu amid at times most discouraging circumstance, they have faithfully endeavored not only to do their duty by the town and Commonwealth, but to conscientiously discharge all others incidental to their peculiar relations to the youth . under their charge. It was with the greatest regret that we parted with some of our best teachers during the year, one of whom had served us with remarkable success and uniform satisfaction for a greater number of years than any other in town.
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