USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1878-1879 > Part 1
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REPORTS
OF THE
SELECTMEN OF FAIRHAVEN
ON THE
Financial Affairs of the Town,
AND OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
For the year 1878-9.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY & SONS, PRINTERS. 1879.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/annualreportofto 1878fair
REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN OF FAIRHAVEN
ON THE
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN,
FOR THE YEAR 1878-9.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY & SONS, PRINTERS. 1879.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
EBEN AKIN, JR., TOWN TREASURER, IN ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN.
DR.
He is charged with cash in the treasury, Feb- ruary, 1878,
$6,195.65
Cash Town House lot sold,
101.00
From town Mattapoisett,
16.29
Mrs. A. P. Willcox, books sold,
133.00
L. M. Snow, license,
1.00
Sales, bank stock,
1,580.44
Hannah Rodman's estate,
30.00
Produce sold,
50.00
State treasurer, burial state pauper,
10.00
State treasurer, corporation tax,
685.34
State aid,
500.00
State corporation tax, 1877,
50.89
National bank tax,
1,659.34
H. T. Howard, land rent,
3.00
For pork sold,
15.60
City of Fall River,
35.73
Peddler's license,
8.00
State treasurer, school fund,
201.20
County treasurer, dog tax,
176.18
Town of Nantucket,
82.00
Discount at Saving's bank,
14.83
For old iron,
.20
Town of Middleborough,
183.12
Dividends, National bank,
36.80
George Jones, collector,
11,959.36
James V. Cox, for oil,
.66 $23,729.63
Cr.
By town orders paid,
$20,075.21
National bank tax,
1,271.10
Treasurer's salary,
250.00
Balance in the treasury,
2,133.32 $23,729.63
4
GEO. JONES, COLLECTOR,
IN ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN. DR.
1878, March.
Am't of uncollected taxes, $1,414.09
August. Amount of tax bills, 15,275.57
Interest collected, 31.20 $16,720.86
CR.
Amount remitted by assessors,
$115.19
Amount discount for prompt pay,
771.41
Amount unpaid taxes, 1876,
$42.13
1877, 632.40
1878, 500.27
1.174.80
Amount paid state tax,
890.00
Amount paid county tax,
1,541.30
Salary,
250.00
Amount paid office supplies,
9.65
Amount paid collecting bank tax,
9.15
Cash paid town treasurer,
11,959.36 $16,720.86
Unpaid Taxes for 1876.
Jabez Delano, Jr.,
10.13
Wm. Delano,
2.00
Nelson Munro,
28.00
Edwin T. Wilcox,
2.00
$42.13
Unpaid Taxes for 1877.
John J. Allen,
2.00
Wm. R. Burrill,
2.00
Boston & Fairhaven Iron Works,
462.40
Wm. Barton,
2.00
J. F. Burbank,
2.00
Martin Bowen,
2.00
John I. Bryant,
2.00
Wm. H. Bryant,
2.00
George Crapo,
10.80
Nathaniel Clark,
2.00
Peter Crapo,
2.00
Jabez Delano, Jr.,
10.00
James W. Dahl,
2.00
John F. Damon,
2.00
Edward M. Dunn,
2.00
5
William Delano,
2.00
R. M. Delano,
3.60
Albert Eldred,
2.00
William Eldred,
2.00
John A. Gifford,
2.00
Albert Gelatt,
2.00
William A. Hammond,
2.00
John H. Howland,
2.00
Arthur Harrington,
2.00
Enos Joseph, Jr.,
2.00
M. R. Kiff,
2.00
P. E. Merrihew,
2.00
Thomas F. Morse,
2.00
Nelson Munro,
27.60
Charles H. Macomber,
2.00
Alonzo Mosher,
2.00
Wallace H. Peck,
2.00
F. T. Perry, Jr.,
2.00
Thomas R. Seekel,
2.80
Thomas Shaw,
2.00
Charles C. Sherman,
2.00
Jethro Taber's heirs,
25.60
George W. Topham,
2.00
George Tilton,
2.00
Joseph R. Willcox,
2.00
Edwin T. Willcox,
2.00
Burgess S. Willcox,
2.00
Leonard F. Waldron,
2.00
Non-residents :
Henry N. Davis,
1.60
William Haskins's heirs,
1.50
Asa Pease's heirs,
3.20
Nehemiah West,
8.00
Jones Robinson,
3.20
$632.40
Unpaid Taxes for 1878.
Nathan P. Allen,
2.00
John F. Alden,
2.44
James M. Allen, Jr.,
2.00
Thomas N. Allen, balance,
4.18
James L. Buttman,
13.31
Frank T. Bailey,
2.00
Nehemiah Baker,
4.61
William Barton,
2.00
Frank J. Burbank,
2.00
6
Jeremiah S. Brightman,
2.00
Lysander M. Bowen,
2.00
John I. Bryant,
6.35
William H. Bryant,
2.00
Charles F. Brant,
2.00
Thomas C. Crowell,
2.00
Hervey R. Caswell,
2.00
Hervey Caswell,
15.05
Quintan F. Collins,
13.31
James Carver,
2.00
William F. Caswell,
2.00
Nathaniel Clark,
2.00
Thomas R. Delano, balance,
4.09
Ephraim Delano, balance,
.48
Benj. Drew,
9.83
Seth Delano, Jr.,
2.00
John Damon,
3.74
Irving Delano,
5.48
James W. Dahl,
2.00
John F. Damon,
2.00
Edward M. Dunn,
2.00
William Delano,
2.00
Richard M. Delano,
2.87
John Delano,
2.87
Calvin Delano,
2.00
Herbert A. Damon,
2.00
H. H, Delano,
2.00
Jabez Delano, Jr.,
6 35
William C. Farwell,
3.74
E. W. Forrest,
2.00
William C. Ford,
20.27
Catherine Gelatt,
11.31
James H. Gifford,
2.00
Charles Gelatt,
2.00
Albert Gelatt,
2.00
John Gooding,
2.00
Joseph Gelatt,
2.00
Charles Hammond,
3.74
Sumner B. Hammond,
2.00
William A. Hammond,
2.00
Frederick Hammond,
2.87
Charles M. Holmes,
2.00
John H. Howland,
2.00
John W. L. Hillman,
2.00
William Hersey,
.87
William C. Hanna,
2.00
7
Seth F. Jenney.
3.74
Charles Johnson,
13.31
Enos Joseph, Jr.,
2.00
Roland Jennings,
2.00
Bartlett Jenkins,
2.00
Marcus R. Kiff,
2.43
Lothrop Lewis,
2.00
James F. Leighton,
2.00
Daniel H. Littlefield,
2.00
William W. Luscomb,
2.00
P. E. Merrihew,
2.00
Thomas F. Morse,
2.00
Joseph W. Morse;
2.00
William F. Maxfield,
2.00
Nelson Munro,
15.92
Augustus Mayo,
2.00
Charles H. Macomber,
2.00
Andrew Norton,
2.00
Allen Pease's heirs,
5.22
Henry N. Pierce,
2.00
Dennis Parker,
7.22
F. T. Perry, Jr.,
2.00
Mrs. N. Raymond,
1.74
N. Raymond,
8.96
Reuben P. Reed,
6.79
Henry Reed,
2.00
Charles F. Ryder,
2.00
William T. Swift,
2.87
Edward H. Simmons,
2.00
Thomas R. Seekel,
2.44
Charles S. Smith,
2.00
Albert Sawin,
2.00
Aaron Savery,
2.00
Daniel Sullivan,
2.00
Pelham E. Swift,
4.61
Thomas Shaw,
2.00
William F. Stowell,
2.00
Charles C. Sherman,
2.00
Albert H. Swan,
2.00
Wm. Seekel,
2.00
James H. Sherman,
2.43
Walter S. Shivers,
2.00
Hiram Tripp,
59.84
George H. Tripp,
2.00
Granville Taber,
.94
John R. Taber,
16.53
8
James H. Taber,
2.00
Nathaniel D. Taber,
2.00
George W. Topham,
2.00
George Tilton,
2.00
Harvey Wadsworth,
14.18
Joseph R. Willcox,
2.00
Edwin T. Willcox,
2.00
Richard West, heirs,
10.44
Frank Warner,
2.00
Sylvanus Willcox,
2.00
Burgess S. Willcox,
2.00
Andrew Westgate,
2.00
Lemuel T. Willcox,
2.00
Leonard F. Waldron,
2.00
Richmond Weed,
2.00
George Woodhill,
2.87
James Whiting,
2.00
Arthur Washburn,
2.00
Charles Waldron,
2.00
Non-residents :
D. H. Cornell & Co.,
11.74
Mrs. Ezra K. Delano,
.87
Henry N. Davis,
.87
William Haskins' heirs,
.44
S. M. Haskell,
12.18
Asa Pease's heirs,
1.74
Charles H. Shrimpton,
15.66
G. N. Townsend,
.44
Nehemiah West,
4.35
Jones Robinson,
1.74
$500.27
Support of Public Schools. TEACHERS' SALARIES.
D. A. Caldwell,
$1,020.00
A. H. Delano,
382.50
C. N. Burgess,
186.00
Ellen H. Akin,
247.25
S. R. Allen,
206.00
Gertrude S. Howland,
187.50
M. E. Fairchild,
162.50
D. P. Rand,
303.75
A. J. Fairchild,
270.00
A. F. Sears,
202.50
H. H. Howland,
110.00
9
C. B. Allen,
156.25
M. A. Fairfield,
189.00
D. H. Gammons,
60.75
C. Howard,
40.00
$3,724.00
CARE AND LABOR.
John F. Chase,
$2.50
George H. Delano,
4.69
L. Dexter,
78.90
J. M. Lawton,
97.49
James H. Taber,
28.45
F. W. Akin,
6.25
Charles H. Sullings,
6.70
C. A. Shaw,
1.00
A. T. Pierce,
3.32
A. E. Delano,
17.00
A. A. Sherman,
20.25
A. J. Barney,
1.00
John Akin, Jr.,
10.05
H. Burke,
16.30
S. E. Skiff,
38.99
B. F. Cottle,
2.00
Edward West,
2.25
J. L. Butman,
1.75
Marion Skiff,
15.50
354.39
SUPPLIES AND REPAIRS.
Eldredge Bros.,
.25
N. J. Day,
138.72
S. Hutchinson,
126.07
H. T. Howard,
6.57
M. Merry,
1.00
T. Brown,
22.40
A. T. Pierce,
8.90
E. Anthony & Sons,
29.75
Greene & Wood,
95.34
R. B. Taber,
1.50
J. M. Lawton, Jr.,
26.25
A. D. Bourne,
12.35
Asa West,
6.71
B. Taber & Son,
136.02
Alexander Tripp,
53.41
Charles A. Johnson,
65.88
George W. King,
6.65
Joseph C. Jenney,
3.50
Luther T. Howard,
18.97
W. F. Guild,
19.20
B
10
Sturtevant & Sherman,
2.00
D. K. Hathaway,
47.24
Fairhaven Coal Co.,
136.07
W. A. Tillinghast,
26.24
Sullings, Kingman & Co.,
.54
J. Tinkham,
25.30
A. P. Jenney,
.50
F. A. Sowle,
6.75
A. G. Wilbur,
1.50
O. F. Hitch,
12.46
S. S. Swift & Co.,
.22
H. F. Wilde,
2.51
P. F. Brownell,
1.00
1,041.77
$5,120.16
APPROPRIATION.
Balance on previous year,
$338.75
Appropriation for year,
4,500.00
Cash from school fund,
201.20
Dog tax,
176.18
Old iron,
.20
$5,216.33
Incidental Expenses.
State aid,
$519.00
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
American Tack Co.,
$9.00
J. G. Morse,
234.08
J. Boyd & Son,
12.75
W. H. Hoeg,
10.10
James A. Lewis,
20.00
J. M. Allen,
10.00
E. Copeland,
10.00
Jireh Sherman,
17.49
B. F. Drew,
18.35
B. Taber & Sons,
.62
W. C. Ford,
12.00
W. C. Stoddard,
46.10
W. F. Stowell,
1.35
R. A. Dunham & Co.,
8.00
A. J. Barney,
1.50
E. S. Whiting,
.25
B. F. Kingsbury,
2.00
B. C. F. & N. B. R. R.,
3.00
Bryan Bros.,
297.00
H. F. Wilde,
8.52
11
C. A. Johnson,
14.28
O. F. Hitch,
1.66
J. C. Omey,
1.75
George W. King,
28.00
N. B. Cordage Co.,
6.36
Engine No. 3,
200.00
Engine No. 5,
447.50
Hooks and ladders,
60.00
Fairhaven Coal Co.,
20.00
Gifford & Allen,
4.25
R. M. Simmons,
3.75
1,509.66
SALARIES.
Town committee on T. Damon's account,
$19.81
Isaac Terry, school committee,
65.41
C. H. Morton, school committee,
60.79
O. F. Hitch, assessor,
75.00
M. Merry, assessor,
65.00
G. H. Taber, assessor,
80.00
R. Smith, constable,
7.25
G. H. Taber, selectman,
165.00
D. W. Deane,
25.00
A. G. Tripp,
30.00
Auditors,
26.85
J. R. Delano, constable,
20.10
640.21
LIGHTING STREETS.
George Reeves,
$153.14
A. Bulloch,
24.98
O. F. Hitch,
5.77
183.89
LIGHTING BRIDGE.
F. P. Sherman,
$54.00
S. S. Swift & Co.,
13.75
67.75
SUNDRY INCIDENTALS.
J. C. Tripp, moderator,
$6.00
D. K. Tripp, watch-house,
2.40
D. K. Tripp, bridge,
35.64
D. H. Littlefield, cleaning office,
1.80
Joseph Damon, cash refunded,
250.09
Roland Smith, tramps,
32.85
A. G. Tripp, repairing watch-house,
15.54
R. W. Paine, removing gates,
40.30
G. H. Taber, auctioneer,
3.50
Jireh Sherman, repairing safe,
39.66
S. Jenkins, returning deaths,
12.00
12
Mercury office,
65.50
E. Anthony & Sons,
70.75
E. Akin, Jr., taxes remitted,
67.52
J. Wilkie, watching,
6.00
J. R. Delano, watching,
6.00
S. Hutchinson, statutes,
6.00
H. Caswell, repairing pump,
.75
G. W. King, tramps,
1.00
E. Dews, blank books,
1.60
L. M. Snow,
2.50
J. R. Delano, tramps,
252.50
J. Cowen, lock-up,
.91
W. F. Wheaton, tramp list,
2.25
G. W. King, sundries,
10.05
John M. Hathaway, shovels,
1.90
Census of school children,
16.00
B. Taber, rent of pound,
4.00
B. Taber, rent of office and hall,
99.00
D. B. Folger, lock-up,
7.03
Amos T. Pierce, care of clock,
25.00
J. H. Pease, scales,
1.00
B. Taber & Sons, bridge,
5.95
Parker & Sherman, office stove,
10.00
Somerset Bridge,
426.12
William Waterson, health committee,
4.00
N. J. Day, lock-up,
2.00
J. L. Butman, lock-up,
.50
Charles A. Johnson, weights and measures,
7.78
O. F. Hitch, administering oaths,
1.50
G. H. Taber, expenses to Boston,
3.80
John Wheeler, lock-up,
.84
A. G. Tripp, lock-up,
9.36
Soldiers and sailors,
105.00
Fairhaven Coal Co.,
15.30
E. Akin, Jr., recording,
38.35
William Tucker, watch-house,
18.00
E. Akin, Jr., office supplies, '
5.68
J. Millett, repairing bridge,
5.25
1,746.47
BONDS AND INTEREST.
Bonds paid, Coupons paid,
$2,000.00
2,450.00
Interest,
872.50
5,322.50
$9,989.48
13
INCIDENTAL APPROPRIATIONS.
For fire department,
$1,000.00
For town debt and interest,
3,700.00
For engine at Oxford village,
350.00
Other incidentals, .
2,000.00
Cash received for town-house lot,
101.00
School books sold,
133.00
L. M. Snow, license,
1.00
Sales of bank stock,
1,580.44
Hannah Rodman's estate,
30.00
State treasurer,
1,624.47
Peddler's license,
8.00
Discount of Savings Bank,
14.83
J. V. Cox, oil,
.66
Dividend of National Bank,
36.80 $10,580.20
Repairs of Highways.
Orders in favor of Seth Delano, for payment to :
Rodolphus West,
$4.50
Rufus Spooner,
3.00
E. J. Howard,
9.25
R. W. Austin,
21.90
J. W. Jenney,
9.15
Alfred Jenney,
4.50
Arthur Hammond,
12.00
C. W. Hammond,
10.50
Rodolphus West,
3.00
J. C. Jenney,
7.00
P. Galligan,
11.70
G. W. King,
7.85
Job Wilcox,
7.00
E. G. Grinnell,
4.80
C. F. Jenney,
18.40
Othniel Moulton,
10.20
Joseph Wright,
3.40
Reuben Marshall,
3.00
C. W. Hammond,
1.35
H. W. Hammond,
6.15
E. J. Howard,
11.50
Charles Blossom,
14.55
C. F. Blossom,
14.70
Rodolphus West,
2.70
Ansel Bumpus,
4.20
Estate of Ebenezer Godfrey,
10.30
Seth Delano,
55.70
14
N. H. Stevens,
6.00
H. T. Howard,
14.40
Charles Blossom,
4.50
P. F. Brownell,
15.00
Job Wilcox,
10.50
John Gelatt,
21.75
Ansel Bumpus,
9.10
Seth Delano,
63.25
Joseph Hammond,
9.00
C. F. Jenney,
14.50
Charles Hacket,
4.50
P. Galligan,
15.40
H. T. Howard,
6.00
C. F. Blossom,
6.00
N. H. Stevens,
9.00
J. C. Jenney,
21.75
S. S. White,
17.60
H. W. Hammond,
5.25
Reuben Reed,
1.50
$527.30
Orders drawn in favor of Charles F. Stetson, for :
Charles F. Stetson,
$56 10
Edwin Blossom,
9.00
George Swain,
12.58
William Mackie,
22.15
William V. Haney,
14.78
Samuel Hathaway,
9.98
Charles D. Sherman,
7.65
Henry Jenney,
4.35
Thomas Pierce,
1.50
Charles Delano,
3.00
Alonzo Stone,
7.20
John Eldredge,
5.00
Freeman Benson,
4.80
Welcome J. Lawton,
12.00
William Glascow,
8.20
Orrick Tilton,
7.71
Alvan Paine,
9.25
George Swain,
11.40
John Morse,
7.35
Seth Stevens,
3.60
Sylvanus Skiff,
2.40
Alvan Paine,
4.05
Andrew Jenney,
13.75
Jacob Crapo,
30.79
Charles Jenney,
1.20
Gorham B. Howes,
7.20
15
Edmund Matterson,
9.00
Charles F. Howard,
5.20
Charles Sherman,
2.70
Seth Alden,
14.00
Daniel W. Deane,
9.30
Frank Paine,
2.55
John Allen,
7.60
George R. Dean,
7.50
Joseph Rose,
3.00
George Swain,
8.30
William Mackie,
9.25
Andrew Jenney,
5.70
Jacob Crapo,
36.00
William V. Haney,
9.60
Albert Swain,
5.40
George Swain,
6.15
Charles F. Stetson,
82.90
Welcome J. Lawton,
23.02
William Mackie,
8.40
Edwin Blossom,
12.14
William V. Haney,
4.80
George King,
3.00
Charles F. Stetson,
1.20
553.70
Order in favor of George Atwood :
George Atwood,
11.61
Orders in favor of J. Millett, for payment to :
George F. Robinson,
$17.48
S. N. Townsend,
65.10
William Rogers,
14.10
Enos Joseph,
12.15
Greene & Wood,
1.40
Louis Long,
1.50
John S. Tinkham,
10.20
David Howe,
25.42
John J. Francis,
16.20
Oliver Wilcox,
9.90
Albert Barney,
23.25
A. W. Westgate,
33.53
R. B. Jenney,
38.55
Gilbert Rounseville,
1.50
M. McDermott,
1.50
E. R. Tripp,
22.65
Edward West,
9.00
John Sylvia,
21.88
Thomas Davis,
2.25
16
John P. Ellis,
4.50
W. A. Tripp,
10.80
Edgar C. Taber,
10.50
Alden Davis,
12.45
Reuben Austin,
23.25
S. W. Durfee,
9.00
A. Delano, Jr.,
9.90
Philip Westgate,
12.00
Edmund McCabe,
16.05
M. R. Kiff,
8.40
Roland Fish,
25.16
Patrick Egan,
10.50
John Bradford,
13.20
A. W. Perkins,
6.00
J. M. Howland,
9.52
John Quirk,
27.00
I. N. Babbitt,
5.10
B. & F. H. Iron Works,
7.20
Edwin Jenney,
10.20
Aaron Savery,
7.50
Mrs. James H. Tripp,
15.00
S. A. Tinkham,
4.50
Edmund Rose,
23.10
John Jordan,
2 50
Burgess Willcox,
1.50
William H. Hoeg,
1.05
George King,
14.65
John Wheeler,
9.12
S. Eggers,
7.25
Roland Smith,
2.20
D. Littlefield,
1.50
E. P. Delano,
1.50
O. F. Hitch,
1.38
T. N. Morse,
2.70
S. H. Keith,
3.15
Rufus A. Dunham,
3.00
George A. Briggs,
.68
Carting,
.85
Joseph Millett, Jr., and team,
113.25
Joseph Millett,
91.20
$865.87
Less amount on bridge,
5.25
860.62
$1,953.23
Appropriation,
$2,000.00.
17
Poor Department.
Orders drawn for support of Alms-house,
$1,157.01
Orders drawn for outside relief :
City of New Bedford,
$101.10
Town of Middleborough,
166.30
Town of Mattapoisett,
8.75
City of Taunton,
153.42
Town of Acushnet,
13.49
Town of Nantucket,
48.00
Lunatic Hospital,
506.13
M. Barstow,
17.60
S. A. Burgess,
9.00
A. Tripp,
50.00
E. Callahan,
62.30
Abby Ross,
4.50
M. Murray,
13.65
Charles Hewlett,
43.98
L. Anthony,
18.16
E. West,
98.00
M. Peckham,
29.60
Mrs. Severance,
6.10
E. Clifford,
72.99
A. Willcox,
47.77
Emily Jones,
7.77
R. Wood,
107.24
M. Hammond,
10.50
J. Rose,
10.00
A. Hall,
8.00
E. Garvey,
3.10
F. Hammond,
10.00
J. Stetson,
58.57
D. H. Littlefield,
15.00
S. B. Rose,
7.00
H. Rose,
12.71
P. Hutchins,
61.84
Sarah Delano,
58.50
Mrs. Libby,
14.26
1,855.33
$3,012.34
APPROPRIATION AND RECEIPTS.
Appropriation,
$3,000.00
Cash from Mattapoisett,
16.29
Fall River,
35.73
Produce sold,
50.00
C
18
State treasurer,
10.00
Rent of land,
3.00
Sale of pork,
15.60
Nantucket, Middleborough,
183.12
$3,395.74
Amount of sales from town farm,
$652.50
Less amount expended by keeper,
626.12
$26.38
Town Debt.
Bonds,
$33,000.00
Pease district,
5,000.00
Fairhaven Institution for Savings,
4,500.00
Notes to individuals,
5,900.00 $48,400.00
Outstanding bills,
$550.00
Due from other towns and cities,
$644.99
Town Property.
Alms-house and farm,
$6,000.00
Nine school-houses and seven lots, Watch-house and lot,
300.00
Tramp shed,
15.00
Hooks and ladders,
50.00
Two engine-houses and two lots,
600.00
Steam fire engine,
1,000.00
Hand fire engine,
400.00
Three safes, and office furniture,
300.00
Weights and measures,
25.00
Stock on farm,
450.00
Farm tools, .
150.00
Burial lot,
50.00 $18,340.00
GEORGE H. TABER, Selectmen ARNOLD G. TRIPP, of
DANIEL W. DEANE, Fairhaven.
The undersigned have examined the foregoing accounts, and believe them to be correct.
T. B. FULLER, Committee W. F. CASWELL, ' on Accounts. FAIRHAVEN, 2 mo. 21, 1879.
9,000.00
82.00
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN,
FOR THE YEAR 1878-9.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY & SONS, PRINTERS. 1879.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The Committee, in presenting their annual report, desire to call attention to the unusual amount of sickness that has seriously interfered with the ordinary school work ; and if parents observe that their children have not made the accustomed progress in their studies, it may be fairly attributed to very irregular attendance. We believe, how- ever, that it is but justice to the teachers to remark, that by their very persistent efforts, they have in most schools succeeded in bringing the classes to nearly the usual standard. In this report, we deem it unnecessary to com- ment upon the qualifications of the teachers employed in the different schools, as most of them have occupied their present positions for years, and have, we believe, generally given entire satisfaction. We have a word to say by way of explanation, in regard to the North Fairhaven school. Last year attention was called to the small attendance at this school, and an expression of opinion requested of the town, as to the desirability of continuing the school under the existing circumstances. The town having neglected to publicly consider the matter, the committee were left to proceed without any instructions; and at the com- mencement of the year decided not to open the school. Later, in consequence of certain representations made by citizens of that vicinity, the school was organized by ap-
4
pointment of Miss Hattie M. Howland as teacher for one term. And the very marked success which from the first attended her labors, together with the increased attend- ance, influenced us to continue the school throughout the year. The number of pupils belonging to this school is given in the annexed table. If the citizens think this school ought not to be continued, we trust they will pass a vote to this effect.
Our own impression is that it is best to continue the school so long as the present average attendance is main- tained, and the services of Miss Howland can be secured upon the present very favorable terms. Our observations of the work in the schools convince us that the teachers have labored faithfully, but we hope they will not be sat- isfied to go on in a treadmill manner, for there is oppor- tunity for improvement even with the most successful in all occupations.
We certainly should not be satisfied to employ teachers, who were content to go on in one unvarying routine of duty, spiritless to teacher and monotonous to pupil. It is not enough that the pupil commits to memory the les- sons as given in the text-book ; or that the examples be performed by rule, without any understanding of the principle or power to apply the same outside of the class, of illustrations and problems in the book.
We wish the teachers to so illustrate each principle and proposition of every lesson, that it shall be fixed in the understanding as well as the memory of the scholar,- that the pupil may be taught to think, to compare, to reason, and thus lay the foundation for continual mental growth in the future. In this connection, that the teach- ers may be the better prepared for their work, we appeal to them not to neglect their monthly meetings.
We have witnessed with regret the declining interest in these gatherings, and trust it may have been due rather to
.
5
circumstances beyond the control of teachers, than a lack of appreciation of the benefits to be derived from such meetings, when enthusiastically supported. Last year we had occasion to speak of the good effects of these meetings as manifested in the improved work of the school-room, but it is apparent that there is still room for increased improve- ment; and it is certain that the field of education is broad enough to furnish subjects to give teachers ample opportunity to employ profitably, at least one hour of each month, in mutual conference.
We confidently expect, that with the removal of the causes for non-attendance, the interest in these meetings will revive and be well sustained.
The question of the cost of maintaining the schools has had the careful attention of the committee. Whenever and wherever, any reduction either in the salary of a teacher or in any other expense, could safely and fairly be made, it has been done ; and the committee can report, that during the past few years, there has been a reduction in the aggregate yearly salaries of the teachers, of about one thousand dollars. We think that the citizens will allow, that while the committee have always advocated the employment of the best teachers, they have not been unmindful of the very proper demand for a reduction of expenses to conform with the times.
We give below a total statement of special repairs and general incidentals.
SPECIAL REPAIRS.
Grammar school building,
$342.16
Oxford village
83.88
New Boston
30.94
Sconticut Neck
6.50
$463.48
General incidentals,
319.05
$782.53
6
The items of the foregoing account may be found in the incidental account as reported by the Selectmen.
TABLE.
SPRING.
SUMMER.
WINTER.
Attendance between
| Attendance under 5.
| Attendance over 15.
Whole attendance.
Average attendance.
Attendance between
| Attendance under 5.
| Attendance over 15.
Whole attendance.
Average attendance.
Attendance between
| Attendance under 5.
| Attendance over' 15.
| Whole attendance.
Average attendance.
Pease District, ..
33
0
0 33
23.4
32
0 32
24.1
30
0
0 30 22.1
North Fairhaven,.
13
1
( 14
11
13
1
14
12.2
14
1 0 15 13.1
Oxford Village, ..
35
0
0
35
32
39
0
0
39
35
42
0 0 42 33
Naskatucket, .
21
0
0
21
16.8
21
0
0
21
18.5
23
0 0 23 17.69
New Boston, ..
31
0
0
31
27
32
0
0
32
36
0 2 38 29
Sconticut Neck,.
21
1
0
13.25
2
0
24
17.94
20
0 3 23 17.25
Centre Primary,
54
0
0
54
43
53
0
0
53
39
38
0 0,38 30
South Primary,
38
0
0
38
28.65
38
0
39
33.58
33
0 1 34,30
North Primary,.
38
0
0
38
30.31
0
0
37
24.3
28
0 0 28 25.5
Grammar School,
90
0
0
90
76
83
0
0
83
66
0 0 78 61
High School, ..
71
0 39:110
105
53
0 44 97
93
45
0 49|94 87
Number of children between 5 and 15, 474.
SCHOOL BOOK AGENCY - 1878-9.
To amount due for books February 15, 1878,
$82.33
Books on hand
198.01
Books purchased, .
154.25
Advance on books sold,
16.15
$450.74
By Books on hand February 15, 1879,
$54.30
Books sent to S. Hutchinson for sale,
114.04
Discount on books,
2.00
Books delivered to Committee,
8.64
Bill presented to Assessors,
17.09
Books furnished schools,
31.06
Cash paid Town Treasurer,
133.00
Cash paid by Agent,
18.41
Agent's commission,
27.55
Balance due for books,
44.65
$450.74
SCHOOLS.
5 and 15.
5 and 15.
5 and 15.
0
1
7
At the last annual meeting the town voted to refer the matter of the school book agency to the school committee. The foregoing is the report for the past year. The iten of $114.04 is mostly for old books received from the for- mer agent and which were unsalable here, and so were placed in the hands of Mr. Hutchinson for sale. We have realized so far for the sale of the books $34.81 net. There remain now in the hands of Mr. Hutchinson a large num- ber of books, but no estimate can be made as to the amount that may be realized for them.
The following are the expenditures for teachers' salaries, care of buildings and fuel. The items of this account can be found in the school account as reported by the Select- men.
1877-8.
Amount on hand February 15, 1878,
$584.18
Paid teachers, 66 22.00
Balance,
$562.18
1878-9.
Amount raised for schools,
$4,500.00
Received from the state,
201.20
Received from the county,
176.18
Balance from last year,
562.18
$5,439.56
Teachers' salaries,
3,721.75
Care and fuel,
516.62
Balance unexpended,
1,201.19 $5,439.56
The unpaid bills for salaries will amount to about one thousand dollars, which, together with the bills for care, will leave at the end of the school year a balance of less than one hundred dollars.
C). H. MORTON,
School ISAAC TERRY,
Committee.
MATTHEW MERRY,
-
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