USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1886 > Part 11
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1886.
Daily movement.
248
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.
the first three days the aggregate movement was 1721 miles. It is probable that the weather of Feb. 26th, the first day of the gale. was as true a type of the western blizzard as has ever been experi- enced in this section of the country. The mean daily movement of wind for the year was 132 miles, and the mean hourly velocity 5.5 miles. Gales of 30 miles an hour or more are recorded in the fol- lowing table :
HIGH WINDS. TABLE VIII.
Date.
Direction.
Maximum velocity.
Date.
Direction.
Maximum velocity.
January 7. 66
NW
33
March 2
NW
37
9.
NE
53
April 6.
NE
36
February 20
NW
34
September 20
NW
30
21
NW
41
October 30.
NE
31
26
NW
54
31
NE
30
66
27
NW
49
November 7 66
SE
30
66
28
NW
35
7
W
34
March 1
NW
35
66
13.
NE
30
No high wind of over 25 miles an hour was felt here between April 6th and September 20th.
The wind directions, as observed at the tri-daily observations, were as follows :
DIRECTION OF THE WIND. TABLE IX.
Date.
Prevailing direction.
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Calm.
January
W 60° 24' N
20
15
2
6
2
6
19
23
0
February
W 14
2 N
8
3
4
10
16
12
23
0
March
W 42
10
7
9
6
7
8
13
32
1
April
E 53 58
S
2
17
15
8
15
15
9
8
1
May.
W 33 41
S
10
8
7
13
14
14
11
15
1
June
W 85 46
S
8
6
11
13
19
14
13
5
1
July
W 48 59
S
6
8
10
15
21
14
9
2
August
W 23 45
S
10
5
9
13
20
15
14
0
September
W 3 35
N
11
7
9
10
16
8
19
4
October
W 55 18 N
8
23
7
4
5
19
14
10
3
November
W 3 35 S
7
5
4
1
15
14
29
15
0
December
W 31
8 N
22
8
1
0
3
18
19
20
2
Sums
116
124
79
83
128
181
176
193
15
Means
W 8 50 N
5
N
876
66
The mean direction for the year was W 8º 50' N, which is about the usual annual direction in this locality. Northwest winds ex- ceeded all others in frequency, followed closely by southwest and
249
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.
west, in the order named. East winds were least frequent ; south- east next. In April west, northwest and north winds were very few in number, and the mean direction for the month was between east and south. In May, June, July, August and November it was between west and south ; in all the other months between west and north.
GENERAL STATE OF THE WEATHER.
Under this head is recorded the number of observations in each month, and in the whole year, at which each of the following conditions prevailed. Also in table x1. the number of clear, fair and cloudy days in each month, and the number of days (whether cloudy or fair, or possibly clear) on which rain or snow fell.
TABLE X.
Date.
Clear.
Fair.
Cloudy.
Lt. rain.
Hvy. rain.
Hvy. Lt. snow. snow.
Foggy.
Hail.
Sleet. Smoky.
Hazy.
Jan ..
34
8
20
13
2
6
4
1
1
4
0
0
Feb ..
26
24
16
3
6
5
1
2
0
1
0
0
Mar .
35
11
30
8
1
1
2
2
0
2
0
1
April
40
15
24
5
1
4
0
1
0
0
0
0
May .
30
27
25
6
2
0
0 00
0
0
0
0
3
June
33
24
21
12
0
0
()
2
0
0
0
10
Aug .
37
20
18
3
0
0
0)
1
0
0
3
11
Sept.
47
10
21
7
1
0
0
2
0
0
1
1
Oct ..
46
16
18
9
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
Nov .
32
17
25
5
4
1
0
5
1
0
0
0)
Dec ..
32
14
23
5
()
10
8
1
0
0
0
0
Sums
426
211
258
79
21
27
15
18
2
7
4
27
0
0
0
0
July .
34
25
17
3
2
0
Considering all the observations in the above table at which rain, snow, fog, hail or sleet was prevailing as equivalent to " cloudy," and those classed as smoky or hazy as equivalent to "fair," it ap- pears that out of 1095 observations, 426, or 39 per cent. were re- corded as clear ; 242, or 22 per cent. as fair ; and 427, or 39 per cent. as cloudy.
250
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.
TABLE XI.
Month.
Number clear days.
Number fair days.
Number of cloudy days.
Number days rain or snow fell.
January
6
12
13
21
February
8
9
11
15
March
11
12
15
April
12
9
9
8
May
9
12
10
13
June
9
10
11
11
July
11
15
5
8
August
17
9
5
9
September
13
11
6
11
October
11
14
6
10
November
9
9
12
11
December
7
12
12
17
Sums
120
133
112
149
The greatest amount of pleasant weather occurred in April, July, August, September and October. The first twenty-five days of October were all recorded as either clear or fair.
The early months of 1886 will be remembered as a period of great storms. There need be mentioned only the great snow storm of January, the disastrous ice storms of January and February, and the violent gale of February and March, to bear out this state- ment. The latter months, however, were devoid of such severity.
The freezing of the Merrimac river to its mouth, sufficiently to allow of travel upon it and to blockade the coal steamers for several days, was a feature of the first week of March, which sel- dom, if ever, has been or will be repeated at so late a date.
SUMMARY OF MISCELLANEOUS PHENOMENA.
JANUARY. Frost, 2, 6, 8, 14, 15, 16 ; fog, 1, 4; smoky atmos- phere, 17, 21, 30 ; solar halos, 11, 13; lunar halo, 18 ; ice storms, 19, 27-29.
FEBRUARY. Frost, 1, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 19, 20, 25 ; fog, 1, 13: smoky atmosphere, 9 ; aurora, 9, 17, 18 ; solar halos, 3, 6. 17, 18. 19, 25; lunar halos, 17, 18; ice storm, 11, 12; lightning, 15 : meteor, 14.
MARCH. Frost, 13, 16, 17, 18, 23, 29 ; fog, 16, 30, 31 ; smoky atmosphere, 13, 15, 25 ; aurora, 2, 6, 26, 28 ; solar halos, 8, 14, 18, 24, 27, 29 ; lunar halos, 11, 17 ; lightning, 22; meteor, 24.
APRIL. Frost, 2, 5, 12; fog, 13. 15, 17 ; smoky atmosphere.
251
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.
12, 13, 15 ; aurora, 26, 30 ; solar halos, 5, 11, 12, 15, 24, 25. 27, 30 ; lunar halo, 11.
MAY. Frost, 1, 3, 18 ; hazy atmosphere, 23, 25, 29, 31 ; auro- ra, 21, 25, 28, 31 : solar halos, 1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 14, 18, 20 ; lunar halo, 17 ; lightning, 22 ; thunder storms, 5, 8, 30.
JUNE. Fog, 11, 16, 25 ; aurora, 4, 5, 29, 30 ; solar halos, 6, 7, 11, 19, 22, 23 ; lunar halo, 21 : lightning. 10.
JULY. Fog, 5. 15, 18, 31 ; hazy atmosphere, 2, 3, 4, 7 ; aurora, 27; solar halos, 9, 13, 21; lunar halo, 19; lightning, 10, 19. 29, 30 ; thunder storms. 15. 16, 18, 26, 27, 30 : meteor, 24.
AuGusr. Frost, 23; fog, 1, 7, 20, 30 ; hazy atmosphere, 11, 26-29; aurora, 23; solar halo, 13; lunar halos, 11, 13; light- ning, 5, 11, 14 ; thunder storms, 2, 31 ; meteors, 10-13, 15, 20.
SEPTEMBER. Frost, 2, 21 ; fog, 5, 6, 10, 11, 17, 27, 28 : hazy atmosphere, 1, 4 ; aurora, 5, 29 ; solar halos, 5, 26 ; lunar halos, 14, 15 ; lightning, 17, 28 ; thunder storms, 17, 19 ; meteor, 6.
OCTOBER. Frost, 2, 3, 17, 20, 22, 25 ; fog, 1, 5, 6 ; hazy atmos- phere, 7, 9, 12 : aurora, 8 ; solar halos, 4, 17, 25 ; lunar halos, 4, 6 ; thunder storm, 30.
NOVEMBER. Frost, 5, 8, 12, 15, 21-23, 26-29 ; fog, 1-3, 6, 23, 30 ; smoky atmosphere, 17, 18 ; aurora, 20; solar halos, 2, 6, 12 ; lunar halos, 3, 5, 6 ; thunder storms, 6, 7, 18.
DECEMBER. Frost, 10, 17, 21-23, 28 ; fog, 18, 24; aurora, 1, 27; solar halo, 28; lunar halos, 3, 4, 6. 10, 29 ; ice stormns, 13, 31; thunder storm, 1.
In conclusion, the attention of the board is called to the great and constant extension, at the present day, of the use of self re- cording instruments in the pursuit of meteorology. By the use of a thermograph, or self-recording thermometer, the sudden and rapid changes of temperature, which at present escape our notice, could be detected, and much valuable material could be collected for the study of the diurnal changes,-of the times of maxima and mini- ma, and of the effects produced by changes of wind, etc.
By the aid of a barograph, also, (or self-recording aneroid barom- eter) the short wave-like oscillations and sudden changes of pres- sure in connection with severe storms could be studied, as also could the fluctuations accompaning local thunder storms-a subject now attaining much prominence.
252
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.
Such instruments could be procured at no great cost, and. in view of the benefits to be derived from their use, the consideration of obtaining them is respectfully urged.
February, 1887.
FRANCIS V. PIKE.
REPORTS
OF THE
INSPECTOR OF MILK, OLEOMARGARINE,
KEROSENE AND VINEGAR,
SURVEYOR OF CHARCOAL, AND
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
-
1886.
28
-
255
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK.
MILK LICENSES AND INSPECTION.
The number of licenses issued to parties for the sale of milk was fifty-two, being seven in number less than the year 1885. Amount received in fees $26.00.
Twenty-seven samples of milk have been tested by the lacktome- ter. a large part of which is above the average of ordinary milk, giving about 19º, being from 1º to 13º above most other markets, and is satisfactory to the State Board of Health, and should be so to all using it.
JOHN HUSE, Inspector.
OLEOMARGARINE.
By an act of the legislature, passed June 23, 1886, the inspector of milk is required to keep a record and issue a license to all appli- cants for the sale of oleomargarine, which are to be issued annually from the first day of May, upon the payment of fifty cents to the inspector for the use of the city.
There has been five licenses issued from this office to citizens al- lowing them to deal in imitation butter, butterine, or oleomarga- rine ; two of the applicants will probably decline to have their li- censes renewed, in consequence of a late law passed by Congress requiring a tax of forty-eight dollars per annum to be assessed up- on all dealers in the article of oleomargarine, imitation butter, or butterine, the effect of which will probably be to limit the number of dealers to a very few, as but few persons in our city will con- sider the trade equal to the tax.
JOHN HUSE, Inspector.
256
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF CHARCOAL AND KEROSENE.
CHARCOAL SURVEYED.
Nineteen loads of charcoal have been surveyed. containing 2.010} bushels. Fees for surveying, $2.47.
JOHN HUSE. Surveyor. February, 1887.
INSPECTION OF KEROSENE AND OTHER PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM.
The attention of the inspector of kerosene has been called to the number of explosions of lamps mentioned in the papers the past year. Also the many complaints of quality of oil sold in the mar- ket, to which a reply was made that the several samples of oil seen by him the past year have been above the fire test required by law. which is 110º Fahrenheit, that being the only item of importance to require inspection mentioned.
The oil found in our market the past year, and some time previ- ous, has generally been marked fire test 160°, which is far above the statute law, and so far as I have tested give the burning point at from 120° to 130°. I am informed by a prominent inspector in Boston that the fire test mark of 160º is regarded as only a com- mercial mark, as the test mark in all sales, except for retailing, is a matter of agreement between the parties dealing in it and applies to general wholesale transactions.
My opinion is that the distiller of petroleum is governed too much by the increased value of the lighter parts of petroleum. The first product of the still will be a very light substance called naphtha, which is followed by benzine, after which is the illuminat-
257
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
ing oil, which in former years was the most important part of pe- troleum. there being but little market value, compared to oil, in naphtha or benzine ; after the burning oil was obtained the residuum in the still was the heavier part used and called machine oil, until the contents of the still would be mostly asphaltum. If the manu- facturer finds his oil to heavy and would make it volatile by mixing it with benzine. when burning in the lamp (the union of the ben- zine not being perfect) the oil separates as the heat increases in the lamp which gives an intense light until the lighter part is consumed, and the heavy oil not flowing freely in the wick, the blaze falls and the lamp is almost useless for illuminating purposes.
If the specific gravity as well as the true burning point was marked on the package, the purchaser, in my opinion, could judge something of its illuminating quality.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
JOHN HUSE, Inspector.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN :- The following is a statement of scales, weights and measures that have been tested and sealed since my last report in February, 1886 :
After giving notice by advertising in the several papers published in this city, as is required by the laws of the state, to all persons using scales, weights and balances, to bring to this office their scales, weights and balances to be tested and sealed, there being but few received, the sealer, as required by section 13, chapter 65, canvassed the city, visiting all parties so far as known using scales, weights and balances, and tested and sealed the same as follows :
258
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF VINEGAR.
Found correct.
Incorrect.
Total.
10 Dormal scales
8
2
10
14 Public 66
11
3
14
101 Platform 66
91
10
101
122 Counter
108
12
122
20 Pat. bal. 66
16
4
20
33 Spring balances
28
5
33
20 Tip scales
14
6
20
4 Steelyards
4
4
276
46
324
110 weights corrected, 96 found light, 12 heavy, total.
434
The above scales, weights and balances were assessed to the owners .. $125 91 Expense, paid for repairs and cartage. 23 50
Amount received by sealer for services.
$102 41
Seventy-two measures sealed; two condemned ; fees for sealing, $2.48.
JOHN HUSE, Sealer.
Newburyport, February, 1887.
VINEGAR INSPECTION.
As several applications were received from manufacturers of vin- egar for inspection of samples, the inspector considered it his duty to obtain the necessary apparatus required for that purpose if he could do so at a reasonable expense, and upon application to the Board of Health for the state was recommended to apply to Dr. Bennett F. Davenport, of Boston, who would give all information as to cost and method of testing vinegar, and the apparatus required for the same, which consisted of Mohr's Burette, or measuring tube, graduated to deliver from 6 to 10 cubic centimeters ; also, a pipette or dropping tube ;also, certain chemicals, costing about five to seven dollars for the whole. Being prepared with the above fix-
110
259
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF VINEGAR.
tures the method to ascertain the acids and solids required in legal vinegar was a simple and sure test when applied, the law of the state requiring not less than 4} per cent. nor more than 6 per cent. of acetic acid, without coloring, pure cider vinegar giving about 2 per cent. solids upon evaporation.
After testing the samples of applicants, the inspector obtained samples of vinegar on sale from many of our most prominent gro- cers, until he had 36 samples, which he considered would give a fair representation of the vinegar sold in our market. the result of the tests of the 36 samples please find annexed. 21 samples were found legal vinegar ; 11 samples were below the requirements of the law. One prominent grocer was retailing vinegar made in the vicinity of the city which appeared to be very deficient in acids. Not wishing to condemn the article upon my test I sent a sample to Dr. Davenport, at my expense, who pronounced it unfit to be sold as legal vinegar, giving the same figures as I found by my test in the office. The tests made (except for the applicants) were at the expense of the inspector, no charge being made to the parties who furnished the samples.
If the practice of visiting the grocers and others dealing in vine- gar is to be continued hereafter. the inspector will have only the thanks of the buyer, as the law does not require an inspection to be made when purchased. Boston and other places include the in- spection of vinegar as a part of the duties of the milk inspector, who is paid a salary for all duties of his office. The inspector wishes to note many favors from Dr. Castlehun of this city.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN HUSE, Inspector.
TEST OF 36 SAMPLES OF VINEGAR BY MOHR'S BURETTE.
Per cent. solids.
Per cent. acetic acid.
1. Richard Brothers, grocers ...
044
2. James H. Noyes, grocer
056
3. Batchelder & Fogg, grocers, fair.
.045
4. Luther Noyes, not ripe, pure cider
. .
.034
5.
..
.044
6. Samuel March, grocer, bad, condemned .
.022
7. Luther Noyes, pure cider, good. .02
.050
260
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF VINEGAR.
8. P. H. Blumpey, grocer, good, pure cider ... .02
.054
9. C. T. Smith & Co., pure cider, extra flavor .02
.052
10. W. Lunt Bartlett, druggist, not pure cider . .
.045
11. Samuel March, grocer, good, fair . . .
.045
12. James M. Noyes, grocer, good, fair .050
13. C. H. Richardson, grocer, good, fair
.040
14. Luther Noyes, not ripe, pure cider .02
.035
15. P. H. Blumpey, grocer, not ripe, pure cider .035
16. Wm. P. Plummer, grocer, good, fair article .045
17. Yerxa & Co., grocers, not ripe .035
18. Batchelder & Fogg, grocers, common
.040
19. M. M. Ross, grocer, good, pure cider .02
.050
20. J. M. Coffin, grocer, fair commercial article .050
21. Henry Wilson, grocer, not ripe .038 .052
22. Luther Noyes, pure cider, good .02
23. 66
24. Geo. W. Hunt, grocer, fair flavor
.055 .040
25. G. K. Billows, grocer, fair flavor
.040
26. J. J. & W. Woods, grocers, white and good .045
27. Chas. McQuade, grocer, good.
.052
28. Lnther Noyes, pure cider, good .02
.045
29.
E. M. George, grocer, good. .02
.052 .045
30. 66 66 .02
.012
32. Luther Noyes, pure cider, not ripe. .02
.042
33. A. Titcomb, pure cider. .02
.035
34. C. C. Stockman, not ripe .02
.053
35. Luther Noyes, pure cider, good .02
0.55
36. 66 66 .02
.045
21 of the above samples are legal, 42 per cent. ; 11 are below, not legal. Average per cent. of acid is about 4, a fraction below legal standard.
JOHN HUSE, Inspector.
Newburyport, February 18th, 1887.
31. Jas. C. Colman, bad, frozen.
REPORTS
-
OF THE
CITY CLERK
AND
BOARD OF ASSESSORS.
29
263
REPORT OF CITY CLERK.
REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK.
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, March 9, 1887.
To the City Council of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN :- The following report relating to the births, mar- riages and deaths in the city of Newburyport, for the year ending December 31, 1886, is prepared according to custom and the sta- tistics here presented may be of some interest.
BIRTHS.
The number of children born alive during the year 1866, and re- corded in this office, is 327, 73 more than the preceding year, ex- ceeding the number of deaths for the same period by 90, a sure increase to the population of the city in this manner if in no other.
The number of births returned by physicians and midwives 267. A single return was made by the head of a family which is so much of an improvement over the previous year when there was no re- turn of the kind received.
Of the births 163 were males and 164 females, a very fair divi- sion ; but one pair of twins, and no advantage taken in this in- stance as one was male and the other female : but two returned as illegitimate.
Births occurred by monthis and quarters as follows :
1st quarter. 2d quarter.
3d quarter.
4th quarter.
January .. 33 April .... 27 July . .. .20
October .... 30
February .. 27 May ..... 30 August 31 November .. 20
March. ... 28 June ... 32
September . 20
- 89
71 79-327
The nativities of parents of children born are as follows :
Mothers.
Born in the United States
Fathers. 224
201
Ireland
62
70
66 Canada and Provinces.
:18
36
other foreign countries
22
20
Unknown
1
327
327
December .. 29 88
264
REPORT OF CITY CLERK.
Of 55 children born, both parents were natives of this city ; of 125 children, the fathers were natives of Newburyport, and of 98. the mothers were natives of Newburyport.
MARRIAGES.
The number of intentions of marriages filed and certificates is- sued for the year 1886 was 117, four more than the preceding year ; of this 117 all have been returned for record but six, the marriages having been solemnized here or elsewhere ; the missing ones proba- bly failed to be solemnized.
The number of marriages recorded on the books of the city for the year is 124, three more than last year : of these 100 were solemnized in this city, 24 being solemnized elsewhere and returned to this city for record, one or more of the contracting parties claiming a residence in this city.
Marriages in each month and quarter as follows :
1st quarter. 2nd quarter. 3d quarter. 4th quarter.
January. . 16 April .... 5 July . . -. S October .... 14
February. 7 May .. ... 6 August .. 5 November .. 19
March .... 9 June . 14 September. . 12 December .. 9
32 25 25 42-124
Marriages were solemnized by the following named clergymen and officials :
Francis W. Sanborn .. 2
Congregational :- Charles P. Mills.
6
Palmer S. Hulbert. 5
Samuel J. Spalding 6
Daniel T. Fiske.
5
Henry E. Mott.
1
Presbyterian :- Charles C. Wallace 3
Methodist :- Alfred Noon. 4
R. K. Manaton.
S
Roman Catholic :- Arthur J. Teeling Murty E. Toomey .
28
Christian :- Daniel P. Pike
10
Advent :- John Pearson
1
Baptist :- E. E. Thomas
Unitarian :- D. W. Morehouse
Justice of the Peace :- John N. Pike.
1
Horace I. Bartlett 1 George H. Stevens 1
Non-resident clergymen 24
124
2
11
4
265
REPORT OF CITY CLERK.
Average age of grooms, 29.76 ; average age of brides, 25.68. The united ages of the oldest couple 146 years, the groom being 83 years old and his blushing bride 63 years, it being the second marriage of the groom and the first of the bride.
The united ages of the youngest couple 36 years, the groom 19 and the bride 17 years of age.
Seven of the grooms were under 21 years of age, and five of the brides under 18 years of age.
It was the first marriage of 92 grooms and 16 brides ; the second marriage of 30 grooms and 8 brides, and the third marriage of 2 grooms, no bride risking a third term.
Twenty-six of the grooms were younger than their brides, and of eight couples the ages were the same.
DEATHS.
Deaths occurring in the city of Newburyport for the year 1886 were 235, not including 8 returned as still births, three more than for the previous year. The number recorded on the books of the city for the year 320. seventy-seven occurring in other places and brought to this city for interment.
Interments exceeded the deaths in this city for the past year by 39, more were brought here for interment than were conveyed away by that number. Of the 38 conveyed away for interment 16 were interred in Newbury.
Deaths by months and quarters as follows :
1st quarter. 2d quarter.
3d quarter. 4th quarter.
January . . 28 April . . .17 July . .15
October .... 20
February .. 18 May. 25 August 23 November ... 19
March . .. 24 June . 14 September. . 25 December .. 15 70 56 63
54-243
The largest number of deaths for any one month was in Janu- ary, and but five of this number were under ten years of age ; eight of this 28 were returned as consumption, and five old-age, about half of the deaths for the month.
Of the zymotic diseases there were but 22 for the entire year- diphtheria 8, croup 7, scarlet fever 3, and one each of typhoid fever, whooping cough, erysipelas and measles, and these scattered through the year. the months of June, August, November and December being exempt.
.
266
REPORT OF CITY CLERK.
Consumption claimed the largest number 36, old age next 30, diseases of the heart 22, and cholera infantum but 12; these are the only classes of disease that came up to the tens.
Deaths from all causes under ten years, not including still-births, 73, fourteen more than last year ; of 60 years and upward, 87, one less than last year ; three were over 90 years of age.
The united ages of the deceased in this city for the year was 9281 years, which makes the average for this city 39.8, a little less than the average for the previous year, when it was 43.64 years.
Further information relative to ages and classification of diseases can be had by reference to the tabular statement prepared by the Board of Health and presented with their report.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. STEVENS, City Clerk.
267
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS.
ASSESSORS' OFFICE, CITY HALL, } December, 1886.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN :- The Board of Assessors respectfully present as their annual report the following account gathered from the official records made during the current year :
The total value of property assessed in 1816. .$7,587,338
In real estate.
$5,267,550
Personal, including resident bank shares ($644,988) 2,319,988
Total $7,587,338 Showing a small increase over last year. The total value above does not include the personal property in shipping-vessels en- gaged in the foreign carrying trade and belonging to the ship own- ers of this city, estimated on the first of May last at $343,562.26, an exemption allowed by the commonwealth under certain condi- tions.
This sum added to the property assessed would make a total value of $7,930,900.26. The net yearly profits of vessels so em- ployed were taxable amounting to $16.204.16, a large reduction from the year preceding. The tax on the foreign shipping after deducting the profits returned by the owners made up by the asses- sors for the state and credited by its treasurer to this city, amounted to the sum of $5,429.49.
The rate of taxation in 1886 was $17.30 on each one thousand dollars assessed, the poll tax $2.00, and the whole number of polls was 3367.
Tax on $7,587,338 $131,260 94
Tax on polls. 6,734 00
Total tax levy $137,994 94 For the following purposes :
Appropriation for city expenses $139,758 00
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