USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Westhampton > Town of Westhampton annual report 1898 > Part 1
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WESTHAMPTON, MASS.
ANNUAL REPORTS.
1898.
ANNUAL REPORTS -
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
Westhampton, Mass.,
FOR THE
Year Ending March 1, 1898.
EASTHAMPTON, MAŚS .: PRESS OF ENTERPRISE PRINTING CO. 1898
Selectmen's Report.
HIGHWAY EXPENDITURES.
SNOW BILL.
Levi Burt
$5 69
Joseph Hathaway
4 10
H. L. Dodge
3 65
L. W. Clapp
1 1
A. E. Damon
4 03
Michael Connery
1 19
T. P. Elwell
85
I. O. Shaw
2 55
F. J. Hathaway
1 58
J. Whelan
1 83
A. T. Edwards
9 02
F. Howard
8 52
P. A. Connery
2 20-$ 46 38
H. W. MONTAGUE, SURVEYOR.
H. W. Montague
$101 91
M. K. Parsons 22 00
A. J. Griffin
16 00
A. T. Edwards
10 50
Levi Burt
5 00
J. Boucher
4 50
E. B. Clapp
3 50-$ 163 41
4
A. T. EDWARDS, SURVEYOR.
A. T. Edwards
$74 70
66
66 plank and timber 15 81
C. Connors
34 50
H. W. Montague
8 50
D. S. Bridgman
9 14
J. Boucher
6 00
A. D. Rice
3 00
F. Howard
1 50
E. A. Bartlett
13 66 -- $ 166 SI
I. O. SHAW, SURVEYOR.
I. O. Shaw $42 84
Frank Hathaway 9 00
Fred Hathaway
2 16
F. E. Holdridge
8 55
Plank and timber
8 96
L. W. Clapp
19 02
W. Kingsley
# 83-$ 98 36
FRANKLIN HOWARD, SURVEYOR.
F. Howard
$99 50
E. H. Montague
20 00
F. C. Montague 2 25
W. Kingsley
75
A. Hathaway
A. D. Montague, Jr
34
Timber and plank
33 24-$ 156 83
P. A. CONNERY, SURVEYOR.
P. A. Connery 815 25
66 66 1100 ft. railing 44 00
J. J. Fisher 14 25
5
Dennis Courtney A. L. Searle
12 25
6 75
E. Gorham, Breakneck road
6 00-$ 158 50
A. E. DAMON, SURVEYOR.
A. Damon
$31 73
T. P. Elwell
23 99
W. Hooker
14 00
M. Connery
5 83
George Graves
3 00
Plank and timber
12 93
Spikes
70-$ 92 18
G. L. HATHAWAY, SURVEYOR.
G. L. Hathaway
$65 72
Plank
5 01
G. A. Witherell Plank
14 99
9 18-$ 94 90
Alice Pelton, timber
10 00
10 00
L. W. King, timber
6 25
6 25
F. C. Montague, 868 ft. plank
12 15
12 15
G. W. Coleman
13 75
Plank
8 27-
22 02
A. D. Rice, 1896
3 00
3 00
Total for Highways,
-$1030 79
SEWER.
Newkirk & Thurston, 316 ft. 10 in. tile,
$54 11
66
66
castings
9 37
H. A. Parsons
5 63
Geo. H. Knight
3 75
6
A. Delisle and man 10 13
W. Wicks and C. Hathaway 13 88
E. M. Blaksley, drawing tile 66 66 drawing brick and cement 1 5
3 85
A. D. Rice Cement 1 67
5 84
E. Bridgman Brick
3 00-$ 118 98
SUPPORT OF POOR.
William Lawler, Northampton hospital $169 46
Isadore Howard, Worcester 66 169 46
Mrs. Duggan, Northampton alms house 83 38 Mrs. Keating, James Moran, 91 00
Mrs. Slattery, Wm. Dean 44 86 66 M. Colson 27 14
Hugh Cassidy, Dr. Bruce, attendance 7 50- 592 80
W. E. Knight (paid by Huntington) 10 25
Heman Pittsinger, due from Deerfield 22 00- 32 25
Total for support of poor Tramps
$625 05
$5 50
MISCELLANEOUS.
Westhampton Water Co., tank $ 5 00
John Leitch, Jr., printing reports 28 15
A. D. Montague, Jr., ex. inspector's book 57
Oliver Walker, insurance
7 17
Lillian Parsons, Clark scholarship 6 42
G. W. Southworth, assessor's canvassing books 1 50
6 00
7
A. D. Rice, express
F. H. Judd, express, paper and stamps 2 59
A. W. Brownell, blanks for O. of poor 1 50
Enterprise Printing Co., 2000 noteheads and envelopes 5 20
Westhampton Water Co., tank and cem- etery 10 00
H. A. Parsons, nails, chimneys and broom 3 18
G. E. Knight, care town hall 7 00
driving hearse 10 00
66
66 care cemetery 8 25
(). W. Bartlett, 35 rods wire fence 8 75
Millward Printing Co., 1000 town orders 2 00
E. B. Bridgman, repairing tomb 3 62
A. D. Montague, Thayer fund for parish 25 00 W. G. Bassett, counsel 2 00
Levi Burt, shingle and patching hall
1 50
A. D. Rice 60 6.
1 00
Lewis Blaksley, digging up Elm tree
3 00
F. H. Judd, express
6 53
G. E. Knight, librarian
20 00
A. D. Montague, dog fund for library
73 64
A. K. Chapman, postage
1 10
66
66 repairing road machine 2 15
A. D. Rice, putting books in vault 2 00-$ 249 52
TOWN OFFICERS.
L. W. Clapp, selectman, $ 8 00
66 66 registrar
3 00- 11 00
A. K. Chapman, treasurer 25 00
election clerk
1 50- 26 50
F. H. Judd, town clerk 15 00
66 sealer 5 00
8
F. H. Judd, registrar
2 00
66
66 elector
4 00
66
66
clerk's report
5 00
66
66 recording births, deaths and
marriages
10 70
66
66
paid for returns of births
3 00
66
66
office room
2 00-
51 70
A. D. Rice, selectman
27 55
66
66
overseer of poor
8 00
66
66
assessor
17 50
66 registrar
6 00-$ 59 05
F. C. Montague, selectman
20 00
66
assessor
15 00
66
66
O. of poor
4 50
66
66 registrar
6 00- 45 50
J. Hathaway, selectman
66 166 assessor
8 25-
12 25
A. G. Jewett, auditor
2 00
2 00
A. D. Montague, auditor
1 50
1 50
John Pollard, election clerk
1 50
1 50
E. B. Bridgman, constable
23 80
23 80
Levi Burt, constable
12 71
12 71
Wm. J. Lyman, inspector
27 75
27 75
A. D. Montague, Jr., inspector
18 00
18 00
$293 26
TELEPHONE.
Bill for Telephone, Cr. by use
$63 85
26 80-$ 37 05
STREET LAMPS.
Care of Lamps Oil
$18 00
4 00-$ 22 00
4 00
9
STATE AID. 39 00
STREET & WRIGHT FUND. 105 00
WORTHINGTON HOOKER-COURT CASE,
W. G Bassett, damages and costs $229 17
Hammond & Field
100 00
Town witnesses
20 20-$ 349 37
TAXES.
State Tax $175 00 443 39-$ 618 39
County Tax
Payment on Note at Haydenville Savings Bank $100 00
Interest on Note at Haydenville Savings Bank 12 90
Payment of Note and Interest H. County Bank 1,006 50-$1,119 40
RECAPITULATION.
Highway
$1,030 78
Sewer
118 98
Support of Poor
625 05
W. Hooker, court case
349 37
Telephone
37 05
Street Lamps
22 00
State Aid
39 00
Street & Wright Fund
105 00
Tramps
5 50
Miscellaneous
249 52
Taxes, State and County
618 39
Town Officers
293 26
IO
Payment of Note and Interest
112 90
Borrowed Money and Interest
1,006 50
Total Selectmen's Orders School Committee's Orders
4,613 31
1,785 31
Total Expenditures
$6,398 62
Balance Feb 2, 1897
$926 29
Assessment 3,388 89
From Treasurer's Book
3,920 $2-8,235 90
Balance February 1, 1898
$1,837 28
LIABILITIES.
Notes due Hampshire County Savings Bank $1,100 00
A. D. RICE, F. C. MONTAGUE,
JOSEPH HATHAWAY,
Selectmen of Westhampton.
Westhampton, Feb. 1, 1898.
I have examined the accounts of the Selectmen and find that they have drawn orders, and have vouchers to the amount of four thousand six hundred thirteen dollars and 31-100 ($4,613.31)
A. D. MONTAGUE, Auditor.
11
Jurors List 1898.
Dwight S. Bridgman,
Eugene J. Hathaway,
Franklin Howard,
Henry A. Parsons, Edward A. Bartlett, George A. Witherell,
A. D. Rice.
Assessors' Report.
Total Valuation Total Tax,
$216,459 00 3,388 89
Tax Levy,
State tax
$ 175 00
County tax
443 39
Schools
1,000 00
Highways
800 00
Support of poor
500 00
Town Officers
200 00
Vault Note
100 00
Sewer
100 00
Memorial Day
25 00
Overlayings
45 50
-$3,388 89
JOSEPH HATHAWAY, F. C. MONTAGUE, A. D. RICE,
Assessors of Westhampton.
Treasurer's Report
FOR THE YEAR ENDING FEB. 1, 1898.
Dr.
Balance from last year
$ 926 29
N. A. Kingsley, interest on Wright fund
25 00
A. G. Jewett, interest on Wright fund 25 00
District Court
28 00
Hampshire Savings Bank
2,100 00
Rent of Hall
2 00
Chas. N. Loud, chairman school com. 15 00
Clark Scholarship fund 5 00
Watson Wicks, hay on town lot
1 50
Trustees, estate of Whiting Street
53 00
State Treasurer, insane poor
254 20
66
inspection of animals 21 63
6€
66
tuition of children 105 00
66 66
Mass. school fund
280 00
66
66
Corporation tax
22 47
66
66
National Bank tax 296 08
66
66
State aid
12 00
66
Rebate National Bank
tax Scholarship fund 1 42
66
66
Income Mass. school fund 481 28
13
County Treasurer, dog fund Town of Huntington 10 25
73 64
F. H. Judd, interest on Thayer fund
31 25
T. J. Slattery, care of Mrs. Slattery
75 00
$4,847 01
Amount of assessment
3,388 89
Total
$8,235 90
Cr.
By paid orders of Selectmen $4,613 31
66
School Com.
1,785 31 .
By balance in treasury 870 74
66 66 due from Collector 966 54
-$8,235 90
There are two notes due the Hampshire Co. Savings Bank amounting to $1100.00, leaving an actual balance in favor of the town of $737.28.
A. K. CHAPMAN, Treasurer.
Westhampton, Mass., Feb. 1, 1898.
I have examined the accounts of the Treasurer and find them correc., showing disbursements to the amount of six thousand three hundred ninety-eight and 62-100 dollars ($6,398.62), for which proper vouchers are on file, and a balance of cash on hand of eight hundred seventy and 74-100 dollars ($870.74).
Due from Collector nine hundred sixty-six and 54-100 dollars ($966.54).
A. D. MONTAGUE, Auditor.
Town Clerk's Report
FOR THE YEAR 1897.
BIRTHS RECORDED.
) Jan. 20, Joseph Eugene Hathaway.
2 . 29, Robert Lyman Clapp.
3 Feb. 19, Gladys Ewing Howard.
4 6 20 Amlaw.
5 Mar. 5, Elgie Rust Parsons.
6 April 24, Earle Whitman Connery.
7 May 8, Myron Thomas Townsend.
8 " 16, Ethel Beatrice Lyman.
9 June 5, Bertie Haman Pittsinger.
10 66 5, Edna N- -- Comstock.
// July 22, Leslie Raymond Shaw.
12 Aug. 9, Arlie Mckinley Rice.
13 Oct. 12 Chapman.
14 Nov. 8, Myron George Hathaway. 15 " 15, Helen Bartlett. 16 Dec. 16, Flommy Pearle Knight.
No. of births recorded in previous years.
1887
'88
'89
'90
'91
'92
'93
'94
'95
'96
10
12
8
12
12
15
15
12
7
9
15
MARRIAGES RECORDED. 1897
) April 20, Dwight S. Clapp of Westhampton, Lena M. Damon, Williamsburg.
2 June 16, Lorenzo R. Knox of Northampton, Edna H. Parsons, Westhampton.
3 July 28, Fred L. Tilden of Chesterfield, Nancy Irene Williams, Westhampton.
Y Dec. 22, James R. Clapp of Northampton, Elizabeth Gertrude Everett, Westhamp'n.
No. of marriages recorded in previous years.
1881 5
'88
'89
'90
'91
'92
'93
'94
'95 '96
4
6
4
3
4
5
5
2 4
DEATHS RECORDED. 1897
/ Feb. 20, Amlaw
1.
2 July 10, Susan E. Damon,
20-12.
3 Aug. 3, Myra L. J. Jones, 33-11-30. H Oct. 12, Chapman, 1.
15, Anna E. Norton,
78-1-8.
6 Nov. 15, Helen Bartlett, 1.
No. of deaths recorded in previous years.
1887
'88
'89
'90
'91
'92
'93
'94
'95
'96
14
5
5
4
5
13
12
10
11
5
Causes of death : Stillborn, 3; Consumption, 1; Phthisis Tuberculosis, 1, Emaciation, 1.
Mortgages of personal property recorded, 3; all other papers, 2
16
DOGS LICENSED.
J. Hathaway,
April 7
T. Edwards, July 3
Ira O. Shaw,
66
22
Geo. Tower,
66
15
F. C. Montague, 23
Pat'k Connors,
20
A. D. Montague, Jr., 66
23
C. T. Williams, 66
28
S. A. Rust, 66
23
Levi Burt,
66 29
A. L. Snow, 60
24
J. H. Kingsley,
Aug. 20
T. P. Elwell, 60
29
M. G. Crandall,
20
H. W. Montague,
66
30 P. A. Connery,
66
23
W. D. Wicks,
66
30
F. R. Howard, 66
24
A. D. Rice,
66
30
W. D. Wicks,
66
26
F. H. Judd,
May 1
N. Damon,
Sept. 1
H. M. Clapp, 66
1
M. K. Parsons,
66
1
Miss Addie Bridgman, “
1
E. W. Payson,
+
Charles Arcoit,
66
1
M. J. Slattery,
17
F. Howard,
66
1
E. A. Bartlett,
66
21
F. J. Pomeroy, 66
3
Fred LaDuc,
66
28
Patrick Connors, 66
3
Lawrence Fayhee, 66 29
H. L. Dodge,
66
5
Mrs. Alice Pelton, 66
29
G. H. Coleman, 66
6
H. Fournier, 66
29
Levi Burt, 66
11
C. H. Bartlett, 66
29
H. Hathaway,
66
15
A. K. Chapman, 66
29
F. Blakesley,
60
18
T. Boucher,
66
30
W. J. Anderson,
.. .
21
F. Cowsey,
66
30
S. D. Lyman,
26
Antony Oat,
66
30
W. J. Lyman,
June
5
W. R. Lyman,
30
G. A. Witherell,
H. J. Payson,
Oct. 1
H. Haunton,
19
Amounts received for licenses in former years.
1887
'88
'89
'90
'91
'92
'93
'94
'95
'96
$120
124
129
10€
95
115
95
108
99
101
12
FINANCIAL ACCOUNT.
To received for 24 licences at $2. each to June 1, '97 $48 00 Less fees at 20 cents each 4 80
Amount due County June 1, '97 $43 20
To received for 29 licenses at $2, June 1 to Nov. 30 Less fees at 20 cents each
$58 00
5 80
Amount due County Dec. 1, '97 $52 20
Cr.
By County Treasurer's receipt dated June 1, '97 $43 20
66
66 66 66 6
Nov. 30 52 20
$95 40
66
66
received for licenses
$106 00
returned to town from County 73 64
Respectfully submitted,
F. H. JUDD, Town Clerk.
Westhampton, Feb. 1, 1898.
I have examined the accounts of the Town Clerk for the year ending February 1, 1898, and find them correct.
A. D. MONTAGUE, Auditor.
Whole amount of fees
10 60
66
Report of the Joint School Board
TO DISTRICT COMPRISING TOWNS OF EASTHAMPTON, SOUTH- AMPTON AND WESTHAMPTON FOR YEAR ENDING JULY 1, 1897.
Received from State Treasurer, $1,250 00 Credited to Superintendent's salary, $750 00 to towns of district on basis of average total membership of schools of district for year end- ing July 1, 1897,
To Easthampton, $387 53
To Southampton,
81 04
To Westhampion,
31 43
500 00 500 00
$1,250 00
$1,250 00
Received from towns of district on basis of average total
19
membership for year ending July 1, 1897,
Town of Easthampton, share Superintendent's salary, $581 29
Town Southampton, share Supt. salary, 121 56
Town Westhampton, share Supt. salary, 47 15
750 00
750 00
State Tr., Credited to Supt's salary,
750 00
$1,500 00
Paid Supt. salary for year ending July 1, 1897,
$1,500 00
Net cost to Easthampton, year ending July 1, 1897, . $193 76
Net cost to Southampton, year ending July 1, 1897, 40 52
Net cost to Westhampton, year ending July 1, 1892, 15 72
$250 00
Amounts to be appropriated by towns of district to secure state appropri- ation for Superintendent's salary for year ending July 1, 1898, approximate estimate.
Superintendent's salary, $1,500 00
Easthampton, $575 00 Southampton, 125 00 Westhampton, 50 00
$750 00
20
Net cost for year ending July 1, 1898, approximate estimate,
Easthampton,
$175 00
Southampton,
50 00
Westhampton,
25 00
$250 00
EDMUND H. SAWYER, Chm. Joint Com. CHAS. N. LOUD, Secretary.
REPORT
of the
School Committee of Westhampton.
STATEMENT OF SCHOOLS, TEACHERS EMPLOYED, WAGES.
CENTER SCHOOL. Miss Myra E. Kingsley.
No. of pupils enrolled
24
Average membership 21
Average attendance
20
No. of pupils over 15 years
1
66 under 5 years
0
between 8 and 14
15
No. of weeks school
32
Wages paid teacher
$293 40
Fuel, H. A. Parsons
15 00
Harry Hathaway, making fires
3 00
Cleaning school house
3 50
E. P. Torrey, repairs
4 25
C. N. Loud, repairs
3 29
22
The Clark Scholarship Prize for the best reader and speller at the close of the winter term was given to Frank W. Blakesley.
Not absent or tardy during the year, Frank W. Blakes- ley, Mabel L. Flint, Emily L. Parsons.
At the close of the winter term this year we found that there was only one pupil in the first class who had not already received the prize, and we feel that if only one re- mained in the class, the prize was justly awarded as there was but very little difference in the standing of the pupils in the class, in reading and spelling.
Two or three of the pupils in this school have endeavored to fit themselves to enter some high school next year and have made excellent progress, for which they are in great measure indebted to the teacher, who has taken pains to ascertain what they needed to give them a good preparation for the examinations.
HILL SCHOOL.
Miss Harriet F. Judd.
No. of pupils enrolled
21
Average membership
17
attendance 15
No. of pupils over 15 years
0
66 " under 5 years
1
between 8 and 14
20
No. of weeks school
32
Wages paid teacher
$252 80
Fuel, George Tower
11 25
O. W. Bartlett, repairs
1 23
H. J. Porter, repairs
17 24
C. N. Loud, repairs
3 80
23
O. C. Bartlett, making fires 3 00
Cleaning school house 3 50
Not absent or tardy during the year, Oscar C. Bartlett.
Your committee have put in slate blackboards on two sides of this school house and have had the walls covered with alabastine and all the woodwork painted, and consider that this house is now in good repair.
We have also had a door put into the chimney, which will give an opportunity to keep the chimney clear from soot which has heretofore caused so much trouble.
We find the same condition in this school as last year, the children being very irregular in attendance, and this can be remedied only by a more thorough interest on the part of the parents in seeing that their children are present in school every day.
SOUTH SCHOOL.
Miss Nellie M. Ingoldsby, Miss Mary A. Lyman.
No. of pupils enrolled 23
Average membership
15
66 attendance 14
0
66 under 5 years
2
between 8 and 14
16
No. of weeks school
32
Wages paid teacher
$252 80
Making fires
2 00
H. J. Porter, repairs
6 33
Chas. N. Loud, repairs 5 25
New blackboards have been put into this school house, and the walls have all been covered with two coats of alabas- tine, thus making the inside of the house in very good condi-
No. of pupils over 15 years
24
tion. The outside now needs two coats of paint and a little other repairing needs to be done which your committee thought best to defer until another year, in order to keep our expenses within the appropriation.
With the aid which the state gives to the small towns we have succeeded in securing experienced teachers, who, we think, have done excellent work and have brought the record of attendance much higher than it has been in previous years.
Although the pupils in this school are obliged to walk, some of them more than a mile, several have been absent only one or two days, and Eloise Crowell we find by the register has not been absent, and only once tardy.
NORTH-EAST SCHOOL.
Miss Ellen D. Leonard.
No. of pupils enrolled 20
Average membership
16
attendance
15
No. of pupils over 15 years
1
66 66 under 5 years
0
60 66 between 8 and 14 9
No. weeks school
32
Wages paid teacher
$251 20
H. B. Lyman, stove, etc. 10 40
A. D. Montague, repairs 3 52
I. O. Shaw, fuel 7 50
H. J. Porter, painting, etc. 22 33
E. B. Bridgman, repairs 2 65
Ella Bridgman, Ernest Shaw, Hugh Bridgman, not absent or tardy during the year.
But very little money has been spent on this school house for several years, and your committee thought it advisable to
25
put the building in better shape. We have had a receiver put in the chimney, and have had the building painted on the outside one coat and covered the inside with two coats of alabastine and have replaced the stove, which was unsafe to use, with a new one.
If the building could be covered with another coat of paint next year, it would be in good condition for several years.
The pupils in the Northwest part of the town have been transported to this school for the entire year.
NORTH-WEST SCHOOL.
No school has been kept in this school house the past year as only three or four pupils had attended the school for the last term when there was a school.
Enough scholars can now be found, should they all attend school, to warrant the opening of this school for the next year.
New shingles have been put on the roof and the building is in fair condition. A coat or two of paint could be used here to a good advantage.
The expense on this building is, to
Damon Bros., shingles, 4 m $9 00
C. T. Williams, labor 6 28
H. L. Dodge, fuel 8 00
26
EXPENSES.
$1,011 80 202 33
Teachers' salaries
Loudville school
Books, Ginn & Co.
$13 40
Silver, Burdett & Co.
1 54
G. L. Munn 1 75
A. A. Gridley, maps
4 50
Milton Bradley & Co.
1 93
Lathrop Pub. Co. 4 80
D. C. Heath & Co. 13 05
S. E. Bridgman & Co. 2 22
Easthampton school committee 16 84
Maynard, Merrell & Co. 5 06
Miscle, books of reference,
5 75-$ 70 84
Tuition, Easthampton school Com.
75 00
66 Northampton 66 66
15 00
H. L. Dodge, transportation pupils Fuel
41 75
Janitors' services
12 25
Cleaning school houses
5 50
H. B. Lyman, stove, etc.
10 40
J. B. Lyman, chairs
1 00
H. J. Porter, painting, etc.
45 90
(). D. Case & Co., blackboards
23 00
Westhampton Water Co.
6 00
Repairs
34 23
Door for chimney
1 25
Express and freight
6 75
Postage and stationery
3 85
Sundries
2 71
F. D. Bridgman, services
5 50
A. D. Montague 66
5 00
179 00
27
C. N. Loud, 103 days
26 25
$1,785 31
RESOURCES.
Town appropaiation
$1,000 00
Tuition from State
105 00
State school fund 481 25
Northampton tuition returned
15 00
State school fund for teachers
280 00
Bal. from last year
163 41
$2,044 66
The financial statement this year includes the balance left unpaid when the settlement was made last year. The balance now remaining will be sufficient to pay the unpaid bills left when the settlement was made on the first of Feb.
The town has received from the state this year $866.25.
The $280.00 received from the State to be applied for increase of teachers' wages will be given only on condition that the towns shall pay for wages an amount not less than the average wages for the three preceding years.
A. D. MONTAGUE, JR., ) F. D. BRIDGMAN,
School Committee.
C. N. LOUD,
Westhampton, Feb. 1, 1898.
I find on examination of the accounts of the School Committee that they have given orders which have been paid by the Treasurer to the amount of one thousand seven hundred eighty-five dollars and 31-100 ($1785.31).
A. D. MONTAGUE, Auditor.
REPORT
of the
School Superintendent.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
GENTLEMEN :
I respectfully submit the annual report of the Superin- tendent of Schools for the school year 1897.'98.
There have been no marked changes during the year. We have worked along the same lines and we hope that we have made some improvement. With the exception of the South School the teachers are the same as last year and what I said then is equally true of all now. The two dollars a week paid by the state makes it possible to pay a reasonable salary and to retain teachers for the school year. A fre" quent change of teachers is unfortunate for any school.
While I mention several special subjects in this report, of course it will be understood that the larger part of our work is put upon the regular studies, arithmetic, geography, spelling, etc.
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ATTENDANCE.
A great hindrance to effective work in many cases is the irregular attendance of the pupils. Often this can not be avoided but it ought to be understood, that, if we are accom- plishing anything in our schools, a pupil can not be out for a day or a week without suffering a distinct loss, or else the pupils who have attended regularly must be kept back while the pupil who was out catches up. In either case there is a loss of time for some one.
GRADING.
No attempt is made to grade the schools in the same way that they are graded in larger towns. For my conveni- ence I often speak of the classes as grades and call them the same as the grades in the Easthampton schools, as it is easier for me to remember them in that way, but a pupil may be in one class in arithmetic and another in geography and so on as the teacher may decide is best for the pupil. It is an advantage to the pupils to know how they compare with pupils in other schools that those who plan to go away to a high school may know where they are and what they must do to prepare themselves for high school work.
DRAWING.
Drawing is now taught in the schools, but to be a great success it needs the direction of a professional instructor. Such an instructor could be secured at a cost of about $65 00 for the year, and I am positive that the work in drawing would show a very marked improvement. Drawing is some- times considered as an ornamental rather than a useful study, but I believe that there are few men or women who would not find it very convenient at times to be able to make a
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drawing of some object. Especially is this true of business men and mechanics. Also, if any of the girls who go through our schools wish to teach, they must be prepared to teach drawing as it is required in every town in the state.
MUSIC.
All of the schools have made commendable progress in the work in music and I believe that it has now become a regular part of the school exercises that both pupils and teachers would be sorry to leave out. The total expense so far has not been over ten dollars.
SLATE BLACKBOARDS.
The new slate blackboards that were put in during the summer vacation and that are mentioned elsewhere by the committee are a great improvement and are much appreci- ated by the teachers. I believe that they will be a real econ- omy in the end, for while the first cost is considerable, after they are once put in they will last as long as blackboards are wanted without any cost for repairs.
Respectfully,
W. D. MILLER.
ARTICLES
IN THE
Warrant for Town Meeting, March 7, 1898.
Article 1 .- To choose a Moderator.
Art. 2 .- To choose a Town Clerk.
Art. 3. - To act on all reports presented at said meeting.
Art. 4 .- To choose all necessary Officers to serve the town the ensuing year.
Art. 5 .- To see if the town will accept the list of Jurors as revised by the Selectmen.
Art. 6. - To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray town charges the ensuing year.
Art. 7 .- To vote "Yes" or "No" on the question, "Shall license be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town.
Art. 8 .- To see if the town will place a watering tank on the highway near W. I. Edwards' corner, and raise and ap- propriate money for the same.
Art. 9 .- To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for the celebration of Fourth of July next.
Art. 10 .- To take action in regard to the collection of Taxes.
Art. 11 .- To see if the town will authorize its Treasurer to borrow money to meet current expenses in anticipation of taxes.
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