USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > North Reading > Town of North Reading Annual Report of the Town Officers 1879 > Part 1
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
NORTH READING
F.r the Year ending Feb., 1879,
-AND-
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
AND ALSO OF THE
TRUSTEES OF FLINT LIBRARY.
READING : NEWS AND CHRONICLE JOB PRINT, 1879.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
NORTH READING
For the Year ending Feb., 1879,
-AND-
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
AND ALSO OF THE
TRUSTEES OF FLINT LIBRARY.
READING : NEWS AND CHRONICLE JOB PRINT, 1879.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/ownofnorthreadin1879nort
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
SCHOOLS.
Paid for teaching High School, $336 00
Centre School,
274 90
East School,
270 00
Franklin School,
270 00
West School,
270 00
North School,
270 00
wood,
176 75
care of rooms,
84 07
books,
74 88
furniture and repairs,
98 02
$2124 62
TOWN OFFICERS.
Paid C. P. Howard, as Town Clerk, $15 00.
C. P. Howard, for recording valuation and taxes and making returns of births, mar- riages, deaths and other services,
36 60
C. P. Howard, for express, postage, printing, &c.,
4 64
George L. Flint, for services as Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor, 86 00
George L. Flint, journeys out of town, 9 60
George L. Flint, perambulating town lines, 3 00
Dennis Batchelder, for services as Selectman,
Assessor and Overseer of the Poor, 46 50
Dennis Batchelder, journeys out of town, 2 00
Dennis Batchelder, perambulating town lines, I 50
Amount carried forward, $204 84
4
Amount brought forward, $204 84 Paid William I. Nichols, for services as Selectman,
Assessor and Overseer of the Poor, 40 00
J. D. Gowing, services as Collector and Treas- urer, 100 00
J. D. Gowing, extra services and expenses, 29 30
J. D. Gowing, printing and postage, 8 70
George K. Parker, services as School Com- mittee, 35 00
D. D. McIntire, services as School Committee, 79 15 George L. Flint, services as School Committee, 19 00 H. H. Dame, services as Constable, 9 45
Sylvester Eaton, services as Constable, 8 10
George A. Flint, services as Constable, 8 00
$541 54
STATE AID.
Paid Julia A. Abbott, $48 00
Emily Bean,
48 00
Sarah J. Coney,
48 00
Mary F. Flint,
48 00
Rebecca J. McIntire,
48 00
Tryphena Harris,
48 00
Sarah J. Mason,
48 00
Hester A. Gierner,
24 00
Jane Proctor,
16 00
Charles J. Burditt,
72 00
William Frye,
72 00
Robert B. Walsh,
72 00
$592 00
Due from the State for 1878,
$592 00
·
Due from the State for January, 1879,
50 00
$642 00
SOLDIERS' AID.
Paid Edward P. Hinman,
$78 50
George A. Flint,
62 00
Amount carried forward, $140 50
5
Amount brought forward,
$140 50
Paid John W. Babb,
36 00
John S. Coney,
32 00
William C. McIntire,
26 00
George E. McIntire,
24 00
Sylvester McIntire,
12 00
John H. Dixon,
12 00
Henry C. Flint,
1 00
$283 50
Due from the State for 1878,
$283 50
Due from the State for January, 1879,
73 73
$357 23
HIGHWAYS.
Paid Eliab U. Flint, as surveyor,
$213 90
Eliab Stone, as surveyor,
100 00
Horace Hall, as surveyor,
119 50
William Parker, as surveyor,
195 00
Samuel Batchelder, as surveyor,
117 00
$745 40
SUNDRY EXPENSES ON ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Paid for labor on Mill bridge, Park street,
$58 25
lumber for Mill bridge, Park street,
112 15
labor on Richardson's bridge,
2 5°
lumber for Richardson's bridge,
9 50
building culvert on Park street,
11 65
labor on Main street,
69 50
labor on four culverts, Main street,
42 50
labor on culvert, Elm street,
16 00
labor on Maple street,
32 00
labor on two culverts, Maple street,
24 00
labor on North street,
83 50
labor on culvert, North street,
4 50
labor on culvert, Haverhill street,
4 50
labor on Mill street,
3º 50
labor on Winter street,
8 00
labor on culvert on Winter street,
8 00
sundry jobs,
7 25
Amount carried forward,
$524 30
6
Amount brought forward, $524 30
Paid for labor and lumber on sidewalk. 28 75
grading around Flint Memorial Hall pump repairs on road scraper, 2 15
1 00
A. A. Upton, extra highway work, 12 00
W. A. Campbell, extra highway work, 5 00
Dennis Batchelder, snow bill for 1878, IO 55
A. H. Holt, snow bill for 1878, 19 20
Lyman Taylor, snow bill for 1878, 18 60
A. A. Upton, snow bill for 1878,
13 50
Eliab U. Flint, snow bill for 1878,
14 40
Eliab Stone, snow bill for 1878,
13 00
Samuel Batchelder, snow bill for 1879,
11 00
William Parker, snow bill for 1879, 7 55
Horace Hall, snow bill for 1879, 6 80
$687 80
MISCELLANEOUS.
Paid for wood for town officers' room,
$2 25
printing reports, 45 00
interest on town notes,
1191 06
insurance on Franklin Schoolhouse,
30 00
tables for Flint Memorial Hall supper room,
12 00
lamps for anteroom old Town Hall,
3 00
W. A. Campbell for lumber,
8 87
county tax,
180 50
state tax,
250 00
for ringing bell and care of old Town Hall,
58 50
bell rope,
I 44
grates for Flint Memorial Hall furnace.
IO
50
tree at Flint Memorial Hall,
75
repairs on pumps,
4 75
repairs on old Town House,
32 35
labor on liberty pole,
22 33
return of deaths and other services,
6 25
labor on cemetery,
2 00
overtaxation, 47 48
Amount carried forward,
$1909 03
7
Amount brought forward, Paid for abatement of taxes, discount on taxes, Flint Library, dog fund, on town debt,
$1909 03
84 81
338 10
117 60
700 00
-$3149 54
Orders drawn for schools,
$2124 62
town officers,
541 54
State aid,
592 00
soldiers' aid,
357 23
highways,
1433 20
Overseers of the Poor,
1214 32
miscellaneous,
3149 54
Total amount of orders drawn,
$9412 45
GEORGE L. FLINT,
Selectmen
DENNIS BATCHELDER,
of
WILLIAM I. NICHOLS,
North Reading.
February 15, 1879.
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
NAMES AND AGES OF INMATES AT ALMSHOUSE.
Lois McIntire, 86 years.
Nathaniel McIntire, 64 years.
Joseph Sawyer, 69 years.
Jane Sawyer, 47 years.
Sarah Banker, 29 years.
Emily Buxton, 34 years.
*Rebecca Floyd, 71 years.
*Peter McCabe, 57 years.
Whole number, 8.
Present number, 6.
Average number, 7.
*Deceased.
Six hundred and forty-two tramps.
INVENTORY OF PERSONAL PROPERTY AT ALMSHOUSE.
Two oxen,
$160 00
Six cows,
240 00
Four swine,
30 00
Forty fowls,
16 00
Hay,
244 00
Corn fodder,
20 00
Grain,
5° 50
Manure,
100 00
Lumber,
7 00
Wood,
36 00
Fuel,
80 00
Amount carried forward,
$983 50
9
Amount brought forward,
$983 50
Cedar posts and poles,
30 00
Farming utensils,
310 65
Household furniture,
462 70
Salt pork,
16 00
Hams,
5 00
Lard,
8 50
Flour,
12 00
Potatoes,
26 00
Mangolds,
20 00
Cider,
54 00
Beans,
10 00
Butter,
20 00
Tea and coffee,
4 10
Crackers,
€ 50
Cream of tartar,
2 40
Sugar,
75
Apples,
6 50
Cheese,
: 00
Squashes,
2 00
Sundries,
15 35
Bills uncollected,
54 48
$2046 43
EXPENSES AT ALMSHOUSE.
Paid for clothing,
$32 67
boots and shoes,
5 60
household furniture,
63 59
repairs on buildings,
122 25
farming tools,
39 21
seeds, &c.,
7 33
stock,
101 85
horse hire,
1 00
meat,
74 27
fish,
16 99
flour,
57 53
crackers,
46 68
corn,
18 65
Amount carried forward,
$587 62
ro
Amount brought forward,
$587 62
Paid for meal,
115 88
shorts.,
71 00
oats,
3 00
cheese;
16 66
sugar,
28 84
molasses,
28 50
butter,
54 76
coffee,
4 4I
tea,
6 50
soap,
9 25
salt,
4 53
raisins,
1 73
saleratus.
98
oat meal,
1 79
oil,
3 27
spices,
6 82
rice,
1 75
apples,
6 58
snuff and tobacco,
16 17
liquors,
13 25
₱
car fare for Superintendent,
4 00
coal,
21 00
vegetables,
2 86
apple barrels,
10 85
making cider,
9 04
sawing lumber,
6 47
curing hams,
1 00
hay,
19 93
manure,
64 38
blacksmith's bill,
25 94
barber's bill,
1 50
physician's bill and medicine,
19 98
freight and express,
27 52
coffin, robe and other expenses for Peter McCabe, 16 50
coffin and robe for Rebecca Floyd, 15 00
miscellaneous, IO 86
Amount carried forward,
$1239 22
. .
Amount brought forward,
$1239 22
HIRED LABOR.
Paid Frederic C. McIntire,
$221 46
William McAllister,
79 00
Emory R. Morse,
103 50
Sylvester McIntire,
8 25
Henry Skeeles,
20 00
Charles Harris,
I 25
Frank Cross,
3 00
Timothy Cummings, Jr.,
I 50
F. H. Mosman, mowing and cultivating,
12 41
Martin Hayward, dressing hog,
1 30
D. D. McIntire, measuring wood,
75
R. M. Campbell, salary,
400 00
Total expense at Almshouse, $2091 84
RECEIPTS AT ALMSHOUSE.
Received for labor off the farm.
$534 27
milk,
307 00
hay,
46 44
wood,
171 OI
apples,
1IO 35
stock,
72 20
pork,
32 61
eggs,
22 82
lumber,
21 23
produce,
31 31
pedlers' dinners,
7 75
cash from Peter McCabe,
5 70
for lodging tramps,
160 50
cash from Selectmen,
592 39
Balance in Superintendent's hands,
-$2115 58
23 74
1 2
EXPENSE OF POOR OUT OF ALMSHOUSE.
Paid town of Natick for W. A. Nichols and family, $49 37
town of Middleton for Mrs. Stephen McIntire, 55 5°
town of Middleton for Mrs. Bird, 4 00
city of Salem for Charles H. McIntire, 38 00
city of Lynn for Mrs. Eben Stone, 96 00
city of Boston for Nancy Moore, 26 76
city of Boston for John Fitzmorris,
68 75
city of Haverhill for John Grant,
27 50
for supplies for Henry C. Flint, .
4 23
supplies for John Day,
12 50
medical attendance for family of Fred McIntire, 10 00
coal for George O. McIntire,
3 45
coal and wood for George Ezra McIntire, 2 63
funeral expenses of child of William C. McIntire, 15 00
R. B. Walsh, aid for grandchildren, 13 00
for wood and coal for John Lufkin, 21 50
supplies for William Bryden,
9 25
Mrs. Mehitable Mansfield,
4 00
lodging tramps, 160 50
Expense of poor out of Almshouse,
$621 94
Balance against Almshouse,
592 39
$1214 33
Received of Selectmen,
1214 33
$25 50
Due from city of Lynn, from town of Adams,
9 25
$34 75
GEORGE L. FLINT, Overseers DENNIS BATCHELDER, of
WILLIAM I. NICHOLS, the Poor.
North Reading, February 15, 1879.
ASSESSORS' RETURNS.
TAX LIST AS ASSESSED).
State tax.
$250 00
County tax,
180 50 1800 00
Schools,
Highways,
800 00
Ordinary expenses,
3500 00
Town debt,
1000 00
Fish Committee,
25 00
Overlay,
236 56
Tax list committed to Collector,
$7792 06
TABLE OF AGGREGATES.
Total number of polls,
251
Tax on polls,
$502 00
Total value of personal estate,
53,826 cc
Total value of real estate.
390.692 00 7.792 06
Rate of tax per $ 1000.
16 40
Total valuation May 1, 1878,
444,518 00
Number of houses,
203 3-4
Number of horses,
148
Number of oxen.
14
Number of cows.
249
Number of swine.
114
Number of acres land taxed.
7564
GEORGE L. FLINT.
1 Assessors DENNIS BATCHELDER. of
WILLIAM I. NICHOLS. )North Reading.
February 15, 1879.
13
Total tax,
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Balance from last year, $583 55
Taxes collected of 1876, 509 84
Taxes collected of 1877, 903 06
Taxes collected of 1878, 6,204 0I
From city of Lynn on Overseers' account, .
19 43
town of Andover on Overseers' account,
8 00
town of Reading on bridge account,
31 20
parish for insurance,
23 29
State, State aid,
590 00
State, back State aid,
36 00
State, corporation tax,
II 79
State, national bank tax,
2I 72
State, school fund,
217 70
county, from dog fund,
II7 60
For rent of Flint Memorial Hall,
26 00
rent of store in Flint Memorial Hall building, 93 75
taxes after abatement,
4 50
taxes not assessed,
3 80
use of hearse,
· 50
lockup fees,
I 50
school books,
I 12
interest on taxes,
50 06
Augusta McIntire,
4 50
town notes,
5,700 00
--- $15,162 92
9412.45
Paid out on Selectmen's orders.
9,411 54
town notes,
5,700 00 15,12.45
Balance in treasury,
$51 38 50.47
14
15
Tax list committed to collect for 1878,
$7,792.06
Taxes uncollected for 1877,
1,692 02
1876,
509 84
Total to collect,
$9,993 92
Taxes uncollected for 1878,
$1,588 05
1877,
788 96
$2,377 01
The town owes notes to the amount of
$19,000 00
interest, due April 1, 1879, 445 00
- $19,445 00
J. D. GOWING, Treasurer and Collector of North Reading.
North Reading, February 15, 1879.
.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF FLINT LIBRARY.
The Trustees of the Flint Library, in making their seventh annual report, would congratulate the citizens of this town upon the contin- ued prosperity and good fortune that has attended it the past year. It has been somewhat a notable year. Many new readers have been added to our list, and the number of books issued greatly increased. Nine thousand three hundred and thirty-seven books have been is- sued, exceeding by one thousand six hundred and thirty-three the average per year since its institution. We think the circulation large for the size of the place.
One hundred and sixty-nine books have been purchased and şev- enty-nine have been given. Of the books given, forty-five were from Mrs. Jacob S. Raynor, and twenty from Mr. Owen Nichols of New Yo k, a native of this town. It is pleasing to be thus remembered by those who have gone from us. We would return our thanks to all who have made contributions. We think few libraries have been so favored in this regard.
It has come to our knowledge that in several instances books have been taken that were not duly charged. We hope that this was only thoughtlessness on the part of the offender, and that none may disre- gard this necessary rule.
We have supplied a long-felt need by printing a catalogue of the library at a cost of one hundred dollars. The labor of its preparation was more than at first appears, and the cost would have been greater had not much of the labor been performed free of charge. " The cata- logues are sold at cost, and we hope every family will possess at least one copy. The extra labor to which our librarian has been subjected of selecting books for persons not present is materially lessened, and may we not hope will entirely cease. Our thanks are due Mrs. Mus- grave for the urbane and efficient manner in which she has served as librarian.
16
17
At the beginning of the year, the permanent fund of the library, amounting to twenty-five hundred dollars, was increased by an addi- tional donation from Mrs. Flint, the original donor, to three thousand dollars. This fund is invested in town securities. Mrs. Flint has also further improved our library room by a carpet for the librarian, two marble-topped tables for the body of the room, and several arti- cles of ornamentation. We have cause for gratitude as a people for munificence so liberally exercised in our behalf.
GEORGE K. PARKER, GEORGE B. PARKER, JOHN B. CAMPBELL, Trustees.
GEORGE L. FLINT, JOSEPH D. GOWING,
Flint Library, February 15, 1879.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand February 20, 1878,
$146 98
Interest on Flint Memorial fund,
154 81
Dog tax,
117 60
Sale of catalogues,
25 00
- $444 39
PAYMENTS.
Lockwood, Brooks & Co., books,
$174 82
J. S. Coney, books,
5 00
Hill & Tolman, printing labels,
1 25
Hill & Tolman, printing and binding catalogues.
82 25
Inez E. Campbell, indexing catalogues,
15 00
Librarian,
52 00
Wood,
5 78
Express,
4 50
-
$340 60
Balance,
103 79
GEORGE B. PARKER,
'Treasurer Flint Library.
18
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
Books have been presented by the following persons
Mr. Charles L. Flint,
I
Mr. Daniel D. McIntire,
2
Mr. John B. Campbell,
I
Mr. Orren Nichols,
20
Mr. Arthur Eaton;
I
Mr. Joseph D. Gowing,
I
Mrs. Jacob S. Raynor,
45
Mrs. John C. Allen,
2
Hon. B. F. Butler,
I
Rev. F. H. Foster,
I
Dr. William Davis,
2
Board of Education,
I
Number of volumes purchased,
169
Number of bound volumes in the library Feb. 15, 1879,
1486
Number of books given out during the year, 9337
Excess of last year, 1917
Fines collected,
$II 52
Miscellaneous expenses,
14 40
F. A. MUSGRAVE, Librarian.
19
STATISTICS FROM TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS
FOR THE YEAR 1878.
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.
Number of births,
22
Males,
7
Females,
15
Number of intentions of marriage,
7
Number of marriages recorded
7
Number of deaths,
13
Date of Death.
Name of Deceased.
Disease or Cause of Death.
Y.
M. D.
January 25
Elisha McIntire,
76
I 22
Lung fever.
February 13
Walter L. Smith,
O
4
S Congestion of lungs.
March 3
Peter McCabe,
57
IO
0
Consumption.
May 9
Harriet Ann Chalwill,
65
7
9
Disease of the brain.
June 5
Larkin I. McIntire,
I
O
23
Whooping cough.
June 14
Harrison Stanley Eaton,
6
3
0
Cerebro spinal meningitis.
July 23
Justin R. Batchelder,
19
IO
4 Enlargement of the heart.
October 27
Ira Hutchinson,
SI
6
22
IO Consumption.
December 4
Mehitable Mansfield,
So
S
15 Old age.
December 18
Augustin P. Cook,
35
4
16 Consumption.
December 19
Elizabeth Foster,
150
9
Disease of the lungs.
December 27 Cynthia Maria Upton,
44
5
26
Consumption of the blood.
Fracture of thigh bone.
November 6
Octavia M. Hartshorn,
35
5
CHARLES P. HOWARD, Town Clerk.
Age.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FOR THE YEAR 1878-9.
To the citizens of North Reading: We feel that it becomes us. in making our annual report, to gratefully acknowledge the measure of confidence you have reposed in us, in that, notwithstanding the strin- gency of the times, you have made liberal appropriations for the support of schools, and have in no way restricted us in regard to its expenditure. It is true the law has put this matter entirely into the hands of the committee, yet, as the town makes the appropriations. it has frequently happened within the bounds of this goodly State that attempts have been made to restrict them by reducing the amount placed in their hands. We are happy to say there has been no con- flict for authority here.
We feel that we ought to act in accord with the just sentiment of the people. It was this that induced us at the commencement of the year to ask the teachers to concede to us a little in the matter of wages. It seemed but reasonable that the vocation of teaching be not wholly exempt from the pressure of the times. The reduction of less than ten per cent. was less than that to which other industries have been subjected. We cannot compete with large places and ought not to try-they have larger and more difficult schools. It will probably be in the future, as in the past, that some teachers who have earned a reputation here will be called to fields of larger usefulness. We can only say to such as wish to leave us, depart in peace, only give us such notice as you would want were we the first to move. We regret to part with approved teachers, but in the past those who have gone have often been those who were best paid, so we have no assurance by paying more. Money will command talent but not make it.
2 1
We favor the employment of home talent. Of those serving the past year four are natives of this town. The adverse criticism that often follows one's displacement is unpleasant. The fear of this has some- times influenced in favor of an outside applicant. It is ours to serve the public rather than individual interest, and the question is not so much whom we may help, as who will best subserve the public in- terest.
The fear often expressed in days of the district system that, should the town committee obtain control, the small schools would be robbed of good teachers for the benefit of the larger, has not been realized. Where one has given satisfaction, they have not been removed ; there has been far less of change than under the old system. When a va- cancy has occurred in any school we have filled it without disturbing others. We are not sure but this has withheld us even from good ; a change may sometimes be beneficial where there is no dissatisfaction. We confess that we have sometimes desired to make a change, which the fear of even seeming to be unjust has prevented.
Free-hand drawing, which is now made obligatory, has been taught in all our schools. Scholars like the exercise, and some show a de- cided taste for it. The want of time is the chief obstacle in the way of its more extended pursuit. In some of our schools it has been alternated with the writing exercise, which is not greatly dissimilar. Some original designs reflect much credit on the pupils. Attainment in this art will be found useful in many ways, and is certainly an ac- complishment not to be lightly esteemed.
There has been more than usual care with the writing in all the schools, books have been neatly kept, and there are very few that do not show marked improvement.
The proximity of the annual meeting to the close of the schools makes it necessary that the report be prepared before the examina- tions. It will therefore be less complete than if we had time to pre- pare it afterward.
The Centre School consists of forty scholars, a large proportion of whom are under ten years of age. The spring term completed two years' service of Miss Holt in this school, during which there was manifest improvement in every respect, and the relation of scholar and teacher was mutually pleasant. There was therefore much com. plaint on the first day of the fall term when she announced her res- ignation. Miss Clement was elected to the vacancy, and, by a happy coincidence, so nearly followed in the ways of her predecessor that
22
the scholars seemed hardly to notice the change. We must say that this is an exceptional case in our experience, for a popular teacher to leave and not cause disaster. There has been good improvement in all studies pursued-we notice particularly the geography and arith- metic. The classes in reading have been well drilled.
The Franklin School contains forty pupils, nearly three-fourths of whom are boys. The scholars are animated, well controlled, and have a great regard for their teacher. The excellences of this school are the reading and geography ; the reading is performed in an easy, colloquial manner, which is very satisfactory ; maps are put upon the blackboard quickly and accurately, and localities pointed out with great readiness. There are several smart scholars in arithmetic, but many of the pupils do not take as kindly to its study as is usual for boys. Calisthenics and singing are here performed with a zest, and give variety to the exercises.
The West School, containing fifteen scholars, was instructed by Miss Dearborn. The scholars were much attached to the teacher under whose instructions they had been nearly four years, and were much disappointed at the commencement of the fall term to find another taking her place. We had received Miss Dearborn's resig- nation only the Saturday before. The teacher, Miss Putnam, labored as best she could, but it was several weeks before the school recov- ered its equilibrium. The scholars rank high in average attendance, are prompt in recitation, and always favor us with good singing. The reading in this school is defective ; the words are called with great fluency, but with a want of expression. There has been evident im- provement in this respect. In arithmetic there are some smart schol- ars. The primary class deserve especial notice. The studious and respectful conduct of several large boys in this school, as in the Cen- tre School, during the winter term deserves commendation.
The North School, numbering in all thirty scholars, was instructed by Miss Graves. This school, which has for years been noted for excellence in reading, has been well drilled in that branch during the past year, and has some good readers. The classes in geography and grammar have made progress. The first class in arithmetic will com - pare with any similar class, exhibiting good proficiency in interest. discount and percentage.
The East School numbers twenty scholars. The average attend- ance has been remarkably good, considering the distance to be over- come, the extremes being at least four miles apart. The town is not
·
23
in fault in this regard, as those who come the longest distance are from Peabody. There is great diversity in those attending this school, which may be seen in the reading ; some read with marvel- lous rapidity, and others at a slow rate. The progress in all the branches taught during the two years in which Miss Batchelder has had charge is marked and satisfactory. The appearance of the school is somewhat impaired by the nervousness exhibited by some in reci- tation.
The High School, instructed by Miss Eames, contains nineteen scholars. The attendance has been more regular than usual. Pu- pils in this school are gathered in larger classes and are consequently more emulous than in other schools. The studies are made emi- nently practical, the class in arithmetic, by examples given in inter- est, computing time, percentage, insurance, extraction of roots, and whatsoever comes in use in common or commercial life ; the class in book-keeping, by familiarity in making out bills, receipts, etc .; the class in grammar and composition, by letters and compositions writ- ten and freely criticised. The exercise of reading has been a drill in modulation, and with decidedly good results.
The spring term of the schools exhibits the best record of attend- ance. There was then little to interrupt, except the strawberry time, which may be avoided by commencing a week earlier. During the fall term, especially in the Franklin and East schools, boys have been kept out to harvest small fruits. The attendance was diminished in the winter by the prevalence of colds and by the cold weather, keep- ing small children at home altogether.
In review, it will be seen that general prosperity has attended our schools. Good order has been maintained in most cases without the use of corporeal punishment. It is now comparatively unknown ; our best teachers seldom resort to it.
It is surprising with what readiness children from good homes learn to use slang and even profane words. We know not how prev- alent this is throughout the town. as much of it may be hid from observation. This evil practice has been materially checked in one school by the teacher obtaining a pledge of the scholars to abstain from its use, and requiring them to report weekly as to its observance. We commend this as being legitimately within the province of the teacher.
GEORGE K. PARKER. ) School GEORGE L. FLINT, § Committee.
February 14, 1879.
24
STATISTICS OF THE SCHOOLS.
Name of School.
Name of Teacher.
Terms.
months.
Length of School,
Wages per month.
Scholars.
Whole Number of
ance.
Average Attend-
Number under Five
teen Years.
I Number over Fif-
High, do do
Miss Emma F. Eames, do do
Spring, Fall,
3
36
17
I5
O
3
Winter,
3
36 00
20
17
O
4
Centre, do do
Miss Hattie A. Clement, do
Winter,
3
30 00
39
28
I
2
Franklin
Miss Stella Hall, do
Spring,
3
30 00
30 00
40
32
2
T
do do
do
Winter,
3 3
30 00 30 co
33
25 13
O
O
West, do do
· Miss Mary A. Putnam, do
Winter,
3
30 00
19
14
I
3
North,
Miss Helen M. Graves, do do
Winter,
3
30 0
20
16
East,
Spring,
3
30 00
25
21
O
3
do
Miss Mary L. Batchelder, do do
Fall,
3
30 00
25
21
4
do
Winter,
3
30 00
20
16
O
2
3
$40 00
18
1 6
O
3
Miss Sarah E. Holt,
Spring, Fall,
3
32 00
38
33
2
-
3
30
37
36
29
2
Fall,
Spring,
Fall,
3
30 00
16
13
2
o
do
Spring, Fall,
3
30 00
3
30 00
25
20
O
do
Miss Jennie L. Dearborn,
in
O
O
28
25
O
O
35
3
Years.
3
TOWN MEETING.
MIDDLESEX, ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of North Reading, in the County of Middlesex, Greeting.
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of North Reading, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall. in said town, on Monday, the third day of March next, at eight o'clock a. m., then and there to act on the fol- lowing articles, viz .:
ARTICLE I. To choose a Moderator.
ART. 2. To choose all necessary town officers for the year en- suing.
ART. 3. To hear reports of Selectmen, Assessors and Over- seers of the Poor, and act thereon.
ART. 4. To hear report of Treasurer, and act thereon.
ART. 5. To hear report of School Committee, and act thereon.
ART. 6. To hear reports of Trustees of Flint Library and Trustees of Cemeteries, and act thereon.
ART. 7. To see how much money the town will raise and appro- priate for schools for the coming year.
ART. 8. To see how much money the town will raise and appro- priate for ordinary expenses for the ensuing year.
ART. 9. To see how much money the town will raise and appro- priate for highways, and how it shall be expended for the ensuing year.
ART. 10. To see how much money the town will raise for the payment of the town debt.
ART. 11. To see what instructions the town will give their Col- lector in relation to collecting taxes and allowing discount on the same.
26
ART. 12. To see if the town will give their Treasurer authority to hire money, or what they will do in relation thereto.
ART. 13. To see what action the town will take in regard to the money received on account of dog licenses.
ART. 14. To see if the town will instruct the Trustees to re-ap- prise and re-mark the lots in Riverside Cemetery.
ART. 15. To see if the town will give the Trustees any instruc- tions in regard to the sale of lots" in Riverside Cemetery. or what they will do in relation thereto.
ART. 16. To see if the town will instruct the Trustees of Ceme- teries to cement the front wall of the cemetery on Park street, or what they will do in relation thereto.
ART. 17. To see if the town will purchase the piano now used in Flint Memorial Hall, or what they will do in relation thereto.
ART. 18. To see how much money the town will raise and ap- propriate for repairs on old Town Hall, or what they will do in rela- tion thereto.
ART. 19. To hear the report of Selectmen on guideboards.
ART. 20. To see if the town will accept the list of Jurors as prepared by the Selectmen.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant. with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this nineteenth day of February, A. D. eighteen hundred and seventy-nine.
GEORGE L. FLINT. Selectmen DENNIS BATCHELDER, of WILLIAM I. NICHOLS. ) North Reading.
A true copy-Attest : HENRY H. DAME. Constable.
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