USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1875 > Part 9
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made too prominent at the expense of the substance, and in this we think there is an error in our meth- od of teaching. Much more French might be read to advantage by those who pursue that study, and the Latin classes might be more proficient and not less thorough when they come under the instruction of the principal, if the assistants would lead their pupils over more ground and let them acquire accuracy in a more gradual manner.
The graduates of the High School this year were as follows:
GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. Annie L. Ballou, Mary W. Caldwell, Sarah L. Chase, Mary H. Colman, Nellie A. Dow, Sadie B. Goodwin, Jennie P. Has- kell, Sarah H. Knight, Sasie B. Lunt, Hattie C. Moulton, Annie B. Ordway, Judith Rogers, Grace I. Rolfe, Mary A. Smart, Rose M. Smith, Alice A. Ste- vens, Emma C. Stiles, Laura E. Wells.
BROWN HIGH SCHOOL, ENGLISH DEPARTMENT. Charles W. Brown, Charles W. Blake, Robert Couch, jr., Henry Cook, jr., Lucius H. Greeley, Fred M. Gillett, J. Lewis Howe, William S. Ives, P. J. O'Connell, Frank H. Plumer. CLASSICAL DEPARTMENT. Lucius HI. Greeley, J. Lewis Howe, Miss Sasie B. Lunt, Russell M. Little, Charles J. Rolfe.
PUTNAM FREE SCHOOL. Sarah B. Balch, Frances J. Emery, C. Nellie Fel- lows, Lottie M. Fennimore, Nellie A. Pike, Mary Noyes Withington, of New- buryport ; S. Agnes Badger, of Kensington, N. H .; Annie A. Knight, Russell M. Little, Charles J. Rolfe, of Newbury ; S. Ella Kent, of Wenham; E. Fran- ces Gove, of Salisbury; Arthur W. Dow, of Ipswich; Edgar T. Bedee, of Rowley.
The corps of teachers has been reduced by one at the annual election of teachers, Miss Fannie C. Spar- hawk being dropped. Miss A. A. Senter has been absent from illness for somewhat more than one term, and her place has been filled by Miss Sarah E. Curtis.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
The need of elementary instruction for persons who had passed the age of school children was felt in
3 . .
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Newburyport before the law was enacted allowing the establishment of evening schools for adults; be- nevolent persons took the matter in hand and con- tributed time and money for the support of such schools. For several years past they have been sup- ported by the city treasury, under the management of the School Committee. Such schools are an impera- tive need, as is shown conclusively by the fact that they were established and supported by private char- ity before the law came to their re-enforcement and placed them on a permanent and secure foundation.
The evening schools come face to face with the same facts in our social system as the primary schools, that is poverty and want, a desire for knowl- edge and a grudging of the time to acquire it. Just as in the primary schools parents dceive as to the ages of their children to have them admitted before they are five years old; so also boys who are evidently less than fifteen deceive as to their own age so as to get into_ the evening schools and learn something there from books while they work for the support of the families to which they belong during in the day. The Committee have done all that they can to remedy this evil, which is not peculiar to Newburyport. Every- where in manufacturing communities the same diffi- culty comes near the surface like a sunken ledge. In New Bedford the committee complain of lying as to the ages of pupils, and they find, as we have, that the admission of pupils under fifteen years of age hinders the attendance of adults, and thus defeats the purpose for which these schools are established.
To remedy the evil of young children trying to get into the evening schools, and thus keep out the older
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people for whom they were established, the city of New Bedford has a Mill school especially for those who cannot attend the ordinary public schools, and where the children of parents too poor or too careless to give them the opportunities which are provided for all, are taught for such time as they can attend, not less than the minimum required by law. It is a ques- tion worthy of consideration whether such a school could not be established here with benefit. Certain it is that many children are growing up in ignorance in spite of all that truant officers and courts and school committees can do.
The following are the reports of the teachers of the evening schools for men and women:
REPORT OF EVENING SCHOOL FOR WOMEN-1874-5.
This school began its sessions in the building at the east end of the Mall, Nov. 10th, and was continued on Tuesday and Friday evenings. holding thirty sessions in all. Over one hundred names were enrolled, the average attendance being sixty. The improvement in the conduct and conversation of the pupils was marked; and an appreciation of the privilege thus granted was also manifest. As evidence of the latter fact it may be stated that some were so anxious to continue their studies as to cause regret on the part of teachers at the relinquishment of their work, and some only failed to con- tinue classes at their homes through lack of a suitable room for such. The school was visited during the winter by Amos Noyes Esq., S. J. Spalding, D. D., Hon. Richard Plumer, Messrs. Moses Pettingell, John A. L. Odd'e, Isaac P. Noyes of the School Committee, and several others of our citizens.
Respectfully submitted, ABBY SHORT.
October 16, 1875.
REPORT OF THE EVENING SCHOOL FOR MEN.
This school commenced its sessions Nov. 9th, 1875, at the building east end of the Mall, and continued thirty evenings. The greatest number present any one night, one hundred and thirty-nine; average number ninety. The school commenced with two teachers, but as the school rapidly increased more were added to the number, until there were eight beside the principal. During the session of the school, visits from a greater part of the board were received. Respectfully submitted,
VIRGINIA A. CLARKSON, Principal.
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DRAWING SCHOOL.
With regard to the utility and importance of draw- ing as a study in the public schools, and the need of an evening drawing school, there is not entire unan- imity in this board as at present constituted, and ac- cordingly upon this we merely give the report of the sub-committee on drawing :
DRAWING.
The free evening drawing school was last winter under the charge of Mr. B. W. Putnam, it being his third year of teaching the school. He devoted to it his usual zeal and ability, but we regret to say that the number in atten- dance was small. The whole number enrolled was 56, but only about one third attended more than half the course, the others coming in for one. two, three or more evenings. The school was equipped at a moderate cost with examples for flat copies and with casts, and these together with the models previously owned afforded ample facilities for the work of the class. The progress made by those who were enabled to avail themselves of these and the instruction of Mr. Putnam was very creditable to them. The exhibition of their drawings in connection with those of the public schools in the public library building will be remembered as quite meritorious, and a selection of the same was displayed at the State exhibition in Horticultural Hall, Boston. Three of them received honorable mention from the board of examiners. Those, however, for whom the school is particularly intended do not to an ap- preciable extent avail themselves of its opportunities. We refer to our young mechanics and artisans. Let us hope that such will ere long do so. If they will but make a beginning they will find their interest constantly increasing, and as their knowledge extends, and their abilities in the various depart- ments of drawing applicable to their several callings become enlarged, as surely will they find their wages and the fields of their usefulness increasing, for it is the skilled workman that is in demand at all times and under all circumstances.
The drawing in our public schools is not by any means what it should be. We cannot expect, perhaps, a much greater degree of advancement until the public mind-the parent mind-has become imbued more thoroughly with the importance of this study and a belief in its practicability. Parents are indif- erent-they are constantly throwing cold water upon the matter. Many ut- terly refuse to purchase the necessary books and materials for their children. At the bottom of this is the delusive idea that the ability to draw is a gift of nature; whereas it has been abundantly demonstrated in the brief period since drawing was added to the list of studies in our State, that it can be ac- quired by all. Let the parents once get right upon this, as they soon will, and let our teachers address themselves earnestly to the teaching of drawing, and we shall see a progress made which will place us along side of the other cities and towns in the Commonwealth in this highly important branch of learning-so essential to our position as a community devoted to the industrial and mechanical arts.
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EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS.
An examination of candidates for certificates of fit- ness for teaching in our schools was held at the Com- mon Council room on Wednesday, June 2, and was continued, forenoon and afternoon, with an intermis- sion for dinner, until nearly sunset. The examina- tion was long, wearisome, thorough and exhaustive, and so far as the qualifications of teachers can be de- termined by this means, they who passed the test must be deemed satisfactory. It is, however, true that the fitness of a candidate for the duties of a teacher can be only very imperfectly determined at an examination, and that the only certain test is actu- al trial in the schools. Seventeen candidates present- ed themselves for examination, two men and fifteen women. Of these the two men and eleven women passed the examination with sufficient credit to receive certificates. The names are as follows :
William H. Merrill, Edward S. Lewis, Alice H. Olmstead, Alice G. Puring- ton, Florence A. Winn, Anna G. Peabody, Clara F. Stevens, Annah J. Clan- nin, Clara J. Edgerly, Agnes A. Somerby, Clara L. Rowe, Elizabeth S. Smi- ley, Marianna Fleurey.
We also give the questions on which the candi- dates were examined :
GENERAL QUESTIONS.
1. What is your full name ?
2. What is your age ?
3. Where were you born, and where do you now reside ?
4. Have you ever had any instruction in any foreign language-if so, what ?
5. What is your experience in teaching ?
ARITHMETIC.
1. Write in figures and add one hundred one millions, one thousand, one, and six billions, sixty thousand, six hundred.
2. The product of three numbers is ninety; the first is nine, the second 12; what is the third ?
3. What is the greatest common divisor of 180, 600, 92?
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41+8 3+3} to its lowest form.
4. Reduce
4 of 3
5. How many spoons, each 2 oz., 8 pwts., can be made out of 98 pounds of silver ?
6. From three hundred and sixty-five take forty-seven ten thousandths.
7. What is the amount of $149.60 for 3 years, 5 months, 12 days, at 9 per cent. per annum, principal and interest ?
8. In what time will $140 gain $42 at 6 per cent. per annum ?
9. What are the avails of a note for $480, payable in 87 days, discounted at a bank at 2 per cent ?
10. A carpenter wishes to build a cubical cistern that shall contain 2744 cubic feet of water; what must be the length of one of its sides ?
GEOGRAPHY.
1. Give the states on the east bank of the Mississippi river and their capitals.
2. What are tides and what causes them ?
3. Give the course and length of the Blackstone river .
4. Give an account of trade winds, and their causes.
5. Describe the Gulf Stream.
6. Bound Switzerland.
7. Give the names of all the countries in Europe, except the minor Ger- man states.
8. What are the products of France ?
9. Through what states would you go in passing in a straight line from Boston to New Orleans.
10. On what does the volume of water in a river depend ?
11. What states and territories of the United States are remarkable for precious metals, and name the metal which each State yield specially.
12. What is the shortest route by water from New York to Calcutta, and through what zones would you go to get there ?
13. What seven large cities are in the latitude of New Jersey, in any part of the world ?
14. Name five of the principal rivers of North America.
15. Describe the climate, soil, and exports of Russia in Europe.
16. What are cereals, and give the names of four of them in the order of their importance, naming the more largely consumed the first ?
17. Name the four principal rivers of Africa.
18. How does Arabia compare with that part of the United States, which lies east of the Mississippi river in size, in climate and products ?
19. Bound the Argentine Republic ?
20. What river in Asia drains the largest area, and where does it rise and emtpy ?
GRAMMAR.
1. Give the parts of speech
2 What are the grammatical and what the logical subject and predicate of a sentence ?
Correct the sentences :
3. He found a setting bird and brought it for you and I.
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4. Which is the best boy, John or Henry ?
5. He need not go till I come.
6. The ship will lay at the wharf six weeks.
4
7. Worse still is envy and malice,
8. Compare the adjectives Evil, Wrong, Ill, Full, Round.
Analyze the following, giving the logical subject and predicate, and parsing the words marked :
11 High on a throne of royal state which far outshone the wealth of Ormus 9 10 12 13
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or of Ind, Satan exalted sate.
15. Write the indicative mood, active voice in all its tenses, numbers and persous of the verb Lie, (repose) ; also Lay.
HISTORY.
1. What were the causes and results of the Mexican war, and when was it ?
2. What countries formerly owned Louisiana, and how did the United States acquire it ?
3. How many States were there in the American Union at the beginning of the war of 1812, and what were their names ?
4. Name the Presidents of the United States, and their terms of office in their order.
5. What is meant by the Dark Ages, and during what period did they continue ?
6. What was the object and result of the war or 1812?
7. What French king was beheaded in the eighteenth century, and what important events followed in Europe during the succeeding twenty-five years.
8. How did Spain acquire Cuba ?
6. What are the three most important inventions of the century and who made them ?
10. How does the House of Commons differ from the House of Re pre- sentatives of the United States, in powers, tenure of office and character ?
SPELLING AND DEFINING.
WHIRLIGIG. A toy which spins around.
TRANSLUCENT. Transparent, clear; that which light can pass through.
SELVAGE. The edge of cloth.
TIMIDITY. Want of courage.
VARIEGATE. To mark with different colors
ECCENTRIC. Irregular; from the centre.
LENIENT. Softening.
INTUITION. A sight or view by the mind.
PARAPET. A breast wall.
SALERATUS. A carbonate of potashi used in cooking.
MEERSCHAUM. A tabacco pipe made of clay.
INEFFICIENT. Not active.
POLYSYLLARLE. A word of many syllables.
OPODELDOC. A camphorated liniment.
DEFICIENCY. Falling short; want.
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OFFICIOUS. Too kind.
GORGEOUS.
Showy.
GENIALITY.
Cheerfulness,
LACERATE.
To tear; to rend.
ABATABLE.
That can be abated or destroyed.
SALARIES OF TEACHERS.
It will be seen by the table at the end of this re- port that the salaries paid to teachers have been, in many cases, reduced. The total reduction amounts to $1335.50. Part of this amount is from the drop- ping of one teacher in the High school, $600, and the rest is an actual cutting down of salaries. What was actually done in this matter was not entirely sat- isfactory to any body in the board, but it was all that could be agreed upon. Some of us have favored a reduction in almost any way in which it could be ac- complished, and some have been opposed to it in any . form, while others favor a general and equitable re- duction of salaries, believing that smaller wages will produce an equal amount of the necessaries and com- forts, which could be had for a considerably larger amount some years ago. On this matter, as there is not unanimity of opinion in the board, we will merely state the fact that we have reduced the expense for teachers $1335.50.
IN CONCLUSION
we come round to the point from which we started, that there is no compulsory education in Massachu- setts. Such is the uniform testimony of State Boards of Education and of School Committees. The great- est failure in our system of education is not in the schools themselves, but in the fact that so many do
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not attend them. It is easy to criticise and condemn the methods of instruction and the results attained; not so easy to point out any practicable means of re- forming errors. Our schools are not perfect, that cannot be said of any work of man, but they are as free from faults as any institution of the common- wealth, and Massachusetts has good reason to be proud, as she has been, of her school system. But it is a sad and even a terrible thing that any soul should be allowed to grow up in ignorance where the means and appliances of learning are so liberally and abun- dantly furnished. It may seem that we are harping upon one string to insist so prominently upon this topic, but it is the one idea which needs to be insisted upon until its importance is generally and thoroughly appreciated. It would be easy enough to tell only how good our schools are, but this dark side also needs showing, and although we are no worse off in this respect than many other places, and in fact are better off than many where manufacturing industry is more extensively carried on, yet this is the greatest evil we have to grapple with in common with others. Till it is extirpated there should be no let up or slack- ening of endeavor or of interest.
NATHAN N. WITHINGTON, Chairman, -
ISAAC P. NOYES, Secretary, JOHN A. L. ODD'E, Agent, MOSES PETTINGELL, JR., RICHARD PLUMER, GEORGE W. SNOW, WILLIAM H. NOYES, PHILIP K. HILLS, S. A. McCONNELL, AMOS NOYES, HARRISON G. JOHNSON, JOHN A. HOXIE,
SCHOOL
COMMITTEE
Newburyport, Dec., 1875.
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Course of Study in the High School.
I. ENGLISH COURSE.
FIRST YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- English Grammar and Dictation Exercises, Arithmetic, Sin- gle-entry Book-keeping.
SECOND TERM .- English Grammar and Dictation Exercises, Arithmetic, Single-entry Book-keeping.
THIRD TERM .- English Grammar and Dictation Exercises, Algebra, Physi- cal Geography.
FOURTH TERM .- English Grammar and Dictation Exercises, Algebra, Phy- sical Geography.
SECOND YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- Modern History, Algebra, and Natural Philosophy.
SECOND TERM .- Modern History, Algebra, and Natural Philosophy.
THIRD TERM .- Botany, Geometry, and Natural Philosophy.
FOURTH TERM .- Botany, Geometry, and Natural Philosophy.
THIRD YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- French or Physiology, Geometry, Chemistry.
SECOND TERM .- French or Physiology, Geometry, Chemistry.
THIRD TERM .- French, Rhetoric, Double-entry Book-keeping, Chemistry. FOURTH TERM .- French, Rhetoric, Double-entry Book-keeping, Chemistry.
FOURTH YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- French, Astronomy, Geology or Trigonometry, Mental or Moral Philosophy.
SECOND TERM .- French, Astronomy, Geology or Trigonometry, Mental or Moral Philosophy.
THIRD TERM .- French, Astronomy, Geology or Trigonometry, Mental or Moral Philosophy.
FOURTH TERM .- French, Astronomy, Geology or Trigonometry, Mental or Moral Philosophy.
NOTES I. Weekly Exercises in Declamation and Composition.
II. Constitution of the United States, weekly, by the Senior Class.
III. Natural History, weekly, by the Middle Class.
II. CLASSICAL COURSE. FIRST YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- Latin Grammar and Lessons, Arithmetic, Single-entry Book- keeping.
SECOND TERM .- Latin Grammar and Lessons, Arithmetic, Single-entry Book-keeping.
THIRD TERM .- Latin Grammar and Lessons, Algebra, Ancient History and Geog raphv.
FOURTH TERM .- Latin Grammar and Lessons, Algebra, Ancient History, and Geography.
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SECOND YEAR. FIRST TERM .- Latin Reader, Algebra, Greek Grammar and Lessons. SECOND TERM .- Latin Reader, Algebra, Greek Grammar and Lessons. THIRD TERM .- Latin Reader, Geometry, Greek Grammar and Anabasis. FOURTH TERM .- Latin Reader, Geometry, Greek Grammar and Anabasis. THIRD YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- Latin Reader, Cicero's Orations, Anabasis.
SECOND TERM .- Latin Reader, Cicero's Orations, Anabasis.
THIRD TERM .- Latin Reader, Cicero's Orations, Anabasis.
FOURTH TERM .- Latin Reader, Cicero's Orations.
FOURTH YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- Virgil, Latin Reader, Anabasis.
SECOND TERM .- Virgil, Latin Reader, Homer.
THIRD TERM -Virgil, Latin Reader, Homer.
FOURTH TERM .- Virgil, Latin Reader, Homer.
NOTES I. Weekly Exercises in Declamation and Composition.
II. Arnold's Latin Prose Composition, weekly, by the Middle Class.
III. Greek Prose Composition by the Senior Class.
Books used in the Grammar Schools.
Sargent's Pronouncing Spelling Book.
Sargent's Third, reviewed the first and second terms.
The Franklin Fifth Reader.
Guyot's Grammar School Geography, completed.
Duntonian Writing Books.
Green's Grammar.
Colburn's Mental Arithmetic.
Greenleaf's Common School Arithmetic.
Quackenbos's History of the United States, to be employed as a reading book.
Our World No. 2 as a reference book, (on the desk of each teacher.)
Books used in the Primary Schools.
Sargent's Primer, the First, Second and Third Readers.
Sargent's Pronouncing Spelling Book, four classes of words. Greenleaf's Primary Arithmetic.
Colburn's Mental Arithmetic, as far as section ten.
Guyot's Elementary Geography, completed.
Penmanship-Duntonian Writing Books.
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Schools, Teachers and Salaries.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Brown High and Female High.
Luther Dame, 1425
Miss P. H. Plumer, 66
650
1 Miss A. A. Senter, 550
KELLEY SCHOOL.
L N. A. Moulton, Principal, 1235
Miss Janette N. Balch, 400
Mise Ella W. Peabody, 400 Miss Abbie Short, 400
Miss M. J. Bradlee, 375
Miss M. C. Thurston, 375
Miss M. E. Jaques, 375
L Miss Florence A. Winn, 350
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
Bromfield Male Grammar, Bromfield st.
P. D. Adams, Principal, 950
Miss Fannie E, Pettingell, Ass't, 490
Jackman Male Grammar, School street.
W. P. Lunt, Principal, 1235 Miss Lucy Lowe, Assistant, 400
Currier Male Grammar, Forrester street.
Miss Sarah B. Chute, Principal, - 570
Miss E. Frothingham, Assissant, 400
Miss A. L, Coffin, Principal, - -
475
Johnson Female Grammar, Hancock st.
Miss E. M. Lander, Assissant, - 400
475
South Female Grammar, Purchase street.
Currier Female Grammar, Forrester st.
Miss E. A. Appleton, Principal, - Miss Sarah J. Shackford, Assiss't, 400 Miss S. D. Toppan, Principal. - 500
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
WARD ONE.
Bromfield Primary, Bromficld street. - Miss Susie Lowell, Assistant, - 375
Johnson Female Primary, Pancock st.
Miss Ella H. Adams, Assistant, 375
WARD TWD.
Boys' Primary, Charles street. - Miss Lucy A, Perkins, 400
Girls' Primary, purchase street.
Miss Priscilla Craig, Principal, 400 Miss Mary Estes, Assistant, 350
Jackman Male Primary, School street-
Miss E. H. S. Pike, Assistant, 375
Boys' Temporary Primary, School street. Miss H. H. Page, 375
WARD THREE.
Girls' Primary, Temple street.
( Miss Lois E. Lunt, Srincipal, - 400
Miss S. F. Badger, Assistant, - 375
WARD FIVE.
Davenport (Girls') Primary, Congress st.
Miss Clara J. Edgerly, Assistant 360
Kent street Primary,
Davenport (Boys') Primary, Congress st.
Buck street,
WARD SIX.
Ashland street Mixed Primary, 1st Div.
66 66 6
2d
Miss S. C. Currier, 400
Mixed Grammar and Primary, Plains,
Miss M. E. Hayes, Principal, 400
---
Miss M. Agnes Pearson, Principal, 375 Miss Agnes A. Somerby, Assistant, 350 Miss M. Louisa Bartlett, Principal, 400 Miss Alice H. Purington, Assissant 350 Miss Alice H. Olmstead, 350
Miss Frances Pettigrew, 400
Mr. Walter Hoxie, 500
Kelley School.
( A. H. Thompson, A.M., Principal, $1900 (). B. Merrill, A. M., Assissant, 1425
Miss Rhoda Tilton, Principal, - 400
Miss Georgie Thurlow, Principal, 400
Miss H. M. Currier, Principal, 400
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TABLE.
SCHOOLS.
ars during the year.
Number of different schol-
the year.
year.
Number at the beginning of
Number at the close of the
ars in Winter.
Average number of schol-
ars in Summer.
Average number of schol-
Winter.
Average attendance in the
Average attendance in the
Number of desks in cach
Number of seats in each
Yr. Mo.
98
95
56
90
76
91
64
90
90 15. 6
Female High.
126
124
10
116
102
106
92
140
140 15.
Kelley
474
374
364
398
357
356
314
420
420 10. 3
Bromfield (Boys') Grammar.
63
50
48
52
48
43 84
42 77
100
100 13. 5
Currier
66
66
77
51
47
62
51
49
46
72
72 13. 7
Johnson (Girls') Grammar .. South . .
63
59
55
56
53
50
37
97
97 .
7.2
80
100
7. 8
Charles St.
85
63
78
98
84
80
59
61
96
54
7. 8
Kent St. Boys' Primary ......
78
71
74
73
73
63
61
60
63
9. 3
Ashland St. "
103
63
72
53
58
39
48 34
96
120
9. 6
Johnson ( Girls' ) Primary . ... Temple St. . ...
84
62
79
67
70
51
59
90
190
6. 0
Davenport (Boys') "
60
39
47
48
43
32
,39
80
90
9. 0
6.
(Girls)
55
60
6.2
63
61
44
47
54
54
9.
Mixed, School st.
80
54
48
52
59
39
43
40
40
6. 0
Mixed School, Plains
64
34
48
29
33
23
23
42
42
9. 7
2142 1718 1717 1749 1754 1468 1414 2236 2476
Number scholars during the year not counting transfers.
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