USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1879-1884 > Part 35
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TOTAL AMOUNT AND LOCATION OF DISTRIBUTING PIPES TO THE PRESENT TIME.
FEET OF PIPE.
HYDRANTS.
GATES.
STREETS.
8-inch
6-inch.
4-inch.
2-inch
6-inch 4-inch 2-inch
8-inch
Hillside Ave
337
1
.
. .
Circuit
310
1
. .
Eleventh
255
1
..
Third
287
1
Main
3,784
478
287
9
2
1
1
..
Green
2,700
3
1
Franklin
3,155}
360
4
2
Vinton
3,497₺
436
6
3
1
. .
Trenton
1,233
1,331 ¿
1
2
2
Melrose
2,339}
1
1
...
Ashland.
1,475
2
2
...
Tremont
3,180
2
4
...
Greenwood
353
637
1
1
.. .
Perkins
236
1
Baxter
484
1
1
Florence
1,340}
1
.
.
...
Maple and Poplar.
2,265}
2
3
Emerson
3,977
6
4
.
. . . .
Youle
998}
1
1
Otis
1,161
1
1
Linden Place
1,206₺
457
2
2
Cottage
1,142
193
2
2
Hurd
768
1
Berwick.
1,2264
1
2
Herbert
220
1581
1
Grove (West)
2877
1
Waverly Place
6904
1
1
Foster ..
507
1,470}
2
1
Myrtle and Lake Ave ..
3,170
4
8
Winthrop
6953
1
Vine
691
1
Essex
1,437
4
2
Willow
663
1
. .
Short and Main.
470}
Porter.
2,514}
3
1
School
495
Converse Ave. .
1,050
18
3
1
Prospect Avenue ..
500
1
1
Tremont (Northı).
500
1
Place off Emerson .
291
1
Ellsworth Avenue ..
314
1
Albion
222
1
Pleasant
1,125
1
1
Winter.
241
1
Charles
335
1
Pratt
378
1
1
.
.
. . ...
.
.
. . . . .
. .. .
.
.
. .
. . . ..
...
. ...
..
. ...
.
. . . .
. . . .
. . . ...
.
. .
. .
.
.
. . . .
.
. .. .
. .
.. .
. ...
. . . . .
Oakland.
. . . .
286
Cedar Park.
342
..
2
. . .
. . . .
.. . ...
..
. . ..
85
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
TOTAL AMOUNT AND LOCATION OF DISTRIBUTING PIPES TO THE PRESENT TIME - Concluded.
FEET OF PIPE.
HYDRANTS.
GATES.
STREETS.
8-inch
6-inch.
4-inch.
2-inch
6-inch 4-inch 2-inch
8-inch
First
555
1
1
Warren
632
2
1
Bellevue Avenue.
200
1,000
2
1
Upham
3,283
5
2
Stevens Place.
216
Lebanon
2,750
2
1
Grove.
1,366
1
Walnut
1873
1
Lynde and Linwood
2,960
3
1
Summer ..
701
2
1
Wyoming Ave. (East)
1,076
1
. .
3
Chestnut
572
1
2
Mt. Vernon
394
1
1
Auburn
372
1
Winthrop Place.
520
1
1
Belmont.
376
1
High
376
1
1
Prospect.
1,026
1
1
Essex and Lake Ave.
1,082
Avon
422
1
Elm
1,057
1
Howard .
272
550
1
1
Upham and Dell Ave.
3,488
2
East.
534
1
Washington
1,760
..
.
. .
Emerson Place.
251
1
.
Seventh
288
1
..
Wastes, 27 x 24.
51
80 Plugs.
80
..
Grove Street (East)
1,865
16
2
1
.. ...
.
.. .
Emerson Street (East)
7433
10
1
...
...
3
1
.. .
Ashland, (North)
480
1
...
...
Brazil
1,115
2
2
. . .
Orris
350
148
1
1
. . .
Highland Avenue.
250
1
..
Berwick Place.
138
.
.
...
Emerald.
508
1
2
Orient
211
1
. .
Total.
1,050 18,230}
68,9273|10257
104
14
88
16
1
.
... .
... ·
.
.
.
Irving
387
1
Rowe Street .
950
552
2
.
.
1
.
2
600
Wyoming Ave.(West)
.
86
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
WATER-RATES.
DWELLING-HOUSES.
Occupied by one family, for the first faucet . · For each additional faucet to be used by the same family, 2
$6 00
When a house is occupied by more than one family, and
less than four, one faucet only being used for all, for each family 5 00
When a house is occupied by four or more families, and but one faucet is used for all, for each family . ·
4 00
When a house is occupied by more than one family, the highest rates will be charged for each family having water carried into their part of the house.
For the first water-closet 5 00
For 'each additional water-closet 3 00
For hopper water-closet 8 00
For first bath-tub .
5 00
For each additional bath-tub
3 00
Provided that no private house shall pay more than $25 per year.
BOARDING-HOUSES.
For the first faucet $10 00
For each additional faucet
2 00
For water-closet or bath-tub when used for boarders
10 00
Other charges as above.
Where two faucets are used, one for hot and one for cold water, both emptying into one vessel, but one charge will be made for both.
STORES.
Occupied as office, shop, or similar purpose . $6 00 to $20 00
For each additional faucet
2 50
For water-closet or urinal
6 00
STABLES.
For first horse
$5 00
For each additional horse
3 00
For first cow
2 00
For each additional cow
1 00
87
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
FOR LIVERY, CLUB, AND BOARDING STABLE.
For first horse ·
$5 00
For each additional horse .
. 3 00
The above includes water for washing carriages.
Where hose is used, $5 additional.
TRUCK AND CART STABLES.
For first horse
$5 00
Eor each additional horse 2 00
The above includes water for washing carriages.
HOSE.
For sprinkling streets, washing windows, and similar uses £ $3 00 When several desire to use the same hydrant for watering streets or watering gardens, see Superintendent.
HOTELS.
For each bed for boarders and lodgers . $3 00
BATHS
For public baths, and for each bath in any hotel .
$10 00
For water-closet in public bath-houses 10 00
STEAM-ENGINES.
For each stationary steam-engine working not over ten
hours a day, for each horse-power . $6 00
BUILDING PURPOSES.
For every cask of lime or cement used . $0 05
ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS.
(Ordinarily used three hours a day for a period of not more than four months a year.)
For a jet of one-sixteenth of an inch $3 00
For a jet of one-eighth of an inch 5 00
For a jet of one-quarter of an inch
8 00
To be cut off at the discretion of the Superintendent.
MANUFACTORIES.
And for all purposes not enumerated in the foregoing rates, special contract to be made with the Water Board.
This schedule of prices was printed in a circular, and distributed among the citizens, with this additional note : -
" All parties wishing Spot Pond water introduced into their buildings will be required to sign an application for the same. A book for that purpose may be found at the Town Clerk's office."
REPORT
OF THE
Water Loan Sinking Fund Commissioners.
The Water Loan Sinking Fund Commissioners present the following Report for the past year : -
Cash on hand January 1, 1884
$698 73
Received interest on investments
822 29
Received on account of mortgage
100 00
Received from Water Board surplus,-income for 1884
3,472 82
We have bought for investment,-
2 bonds of city of Charlestown, $1,000 each.
1 " city of Boston
1,000
1 " town of Natick . 1,000
at a total premium of $496.25 ; and the Sinking Fund at present stands as follows :-
United States Bonds .
4.3%
$3,500 00
City of Salem
5 %
3,000 00
66 Cambridge
Providence
5%
1,000 00
66 Boston
6 %
1,000 00
Charlestown
6%
.
2,000 00
Town of Natick
4%
. 1,000 00
Mortgage on real estate in Melrose
2,700 00
Cash in Melrose Savings Bank
487 48
$17,687 48
Respectfully submitted, DANIEL RUSSELL, JOHN W. FARWELL, ROYAL P. BARRY,
MELROSE Jan. 1, 1885.
Commissioners.
66 Lynn .
6% 1,000 00
6% .
2,000 00
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT.
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN.
The report of the Police Department is herewith appended : -
The appropriation for the year was $1,200 00
The expenses have been 1,084 50
Balance unexpended .
$115 50
The following cases have been brought before the Court the past year : --
Larceny .
7
Evading fare .
1
Liquor nuisance
1 On default warrant 1
Disturbing peace
6 House of common resort . 1
Assault . 6 Obtaining money by false
Bastardy 1 pretence
3 counts
Adultery 2 Vagrants 2
Disorderly house 1 Idiotic person removed 1
Drunkenness .
5 Neglected child 1
Breaking and entering 2 Tramps accommodated in
Common drunkard . ·
2 lock-up . 130
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK M. MCLAUGHLIN,
Chief of Police.
MELROSE, Dec. 31, 1884.
DR.
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY,
Feb. 18, 1884. To cash paid Geo. W. Powers, books . 66 66 20, S. A. Drake, 66 W. P. Derby 3 75 .
: 25
66 22,
66 26, Geo. E. Littlefield 66
14 85
G. W. Reynolds 66
14 50
66 27, 27, Jan. 29, 1885, S
Cupples, Upham, & Co. 66
6 94
Mch. 5, 1884. 6 15,
Clark & Carruth 66
25 14
Dec. 18,
Apr. 1,
W. L. Williams, printing . 11 00
66 16,
T. W. Ripley, Annual Reports . 3 00
66 1,
Jan. 1, 1885,
Apr. 11, 1884,
U. S. War Department, books . 2 76
Jan. 29, 1885,
De Wolfe, Fiske & Co. 66
. 439 11
Jan. 29, 1885,
C. C. Morse & Son 66
3 15
May 27,
Apr. 16,
P. D. Meston, binding . 107 30
Apr. 16,
Little, Brown & Co., books
58 34
May 5,
D. L. Guernsey 66
7 00
May 27,
A. S. Clark 66
23 00
Dec. 18,
July 1,
G. F. King & Merrill, stationery 6 50
2 00
J. W. Reeves, books . 1 50
27 54
Dec. 30,
J. B. Holmes 66
Eastman's Express 4 85
Jan. 14, 1885, §
E. Johnson, books 8 25
2 15
Geo. B. Sargent, ribbon
50
Nov. 13,
Lockwood, Brooks & Co., books
5 45
Dec. 6,
12,
Houghton, Miflin & Co., books
4 00
Jan. 14, 1885.
Library Bureau, 66
7 25
66 14,
Journal
5 00
S. Hobbs & Co., books 1 60
W. P. Hood 15 00
P. O. Box 1 00
Sundries, postage, mucilage, ink, labels, &c. 6 60
54 27
Feb. 2, 1885,
Balance on hand
$1,134 83
Statement of the Horatio Nelson Perkins Fund. Feb. 2, 1885, Balance on hand $520 20
$520 20
July 1, 1884. 66 11, 11,
Estes & Lauriat "
1 50
July 15,
Aug. 11, 2
Aug. 18, 1884,
James L. Bowen, books
Sept. 20, 27
Insurance 5 28
66 14, 29,
1884-85. 66 66
P. B. Russell 66
3 50
66 1,
Miss Carrie M. Worthen, librarian 237 50
Apr. 11, 1884,
Apr. 15, 1884, 16,
Massachusetts Hist. Soc. 9 00
Nov. 19,
Dec. 31,
Dec. 6,
Jan. 14, 1885, S
S. P. Rowell, repairing
$1 50
IN ACCOUNT WITH E. H. GOSS, TREASURER.
CR
Feb. 12, 1884, By balance from account of 1883-4
Mch. 19,
66 19, Oct. 11, July 9, Jan. 26, 1885. 66
. $45 74 cash of Town Treasurer, dog tax, 1883 . 509 83
66 66 annual appropriation 500 00
66 11 cash from Librarian for fines ·
66
66 66 66 " Catalogues . 13 15
$1,134 83
Statement of the Horatio Nelson Perkins Fund.
Feb. 1884, By amount in Melrose Savings Bank,- (The Permanent Fund) $500 00
interest to Jan. 1, 1885 20 20
$520 20
Respectfully submitted,
E. II. GOSS, Treasurer.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
OF THE
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Trustees of the Public Library present their Four- teenth Annual Report.
To your Trustees there are even more forcible reminders of the swift passing of time than the urgent calls of the printer for copy; and among these are the increase of patronage, good evidence of appreciation, and, more forcible still, the fast filling last alcove in our present Library Room, with its silent demand for increased accommodation.
These show not only the lapse of time, but that which sometimes is its best fruitage, - a more general and hearty appreciation of the benefits and advantages freely granted by the Town in all matters pertaining to popular education.
The gift of our friend Judge Perkins, deposited in our Savings Bank, has now yielded a year's interest, and the Trustees are about purchasing such books as will best serve to perpetuate the gift and the name of the giver.
A timely letter from our friend Colonel Drake appeared in the Melrose Journal, last April, suggesting that entertain- ments be given, and a special fund created, to enable the Trustees to secure books of high class and cost.
The Perkins Fund will, in a limited way, serve as a guide ; and it is our hope, by the judicious expenditure of the in- come derived from this source, to encourage many of our citizens to gifts of a similar character.
The recent additions to the Library will amply repay your critical examination. Such of our townspeople as have had
93
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
occasion to make researches in our stores of learning have seen fit to express themselves both surprised and pleased at the wide range of historical and general literature embraced in our little collection.
We append a list of donations with our statistics, and extend our sincere thanks to the donors for their gifts.
By the courtesy of Wm. L. Williams, Esq., lists of new books added from time to time have appeard in the Melrose Journal.
DONATIONS. Pamphlets.
Number of pamphlets reported last year
676
Deduct the Webster Eulogies, now bound and added to the number of books in the Library
41
Annual Report of the Boston Public Library
1
66
66 " Chicago 66
1
66
66 " Holbrook " 66
1
66 66
" Lancaster " 66
1
66 66 66 " Malden
66
1
66 66 66 " Manchester, (N.H.), Public Library, 60 66
1
66 66 66 " Peabody Institute 66 66
1
66
66 " Wakefield (Beebe) 66 66 " Watertown
1
60
The Library Guide
The Tuftonian
Official Gazette of the U. S. Patent Office
Number of phamplets now in Library
Books.
Memoir of Samuel G. Drake
New England Folk-Lore (Manuscript} Views on Vexed Questions
Sheridan's Veterans
Old State House Memorial
Massachusetts State Government, 2 v. .
Donors.
Samuel A. Drake. 66 66
W. W. Kingsley. Joseph D. Wilde. 66 66
66 66 66
1 1
9
52
707
1
66 66 " Newton
635
94
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE
The American Naturalist
26th Annual Report of the Trade and Commerce of Chicago, S Arguments against Woman Suffrage Answered and Refuted, Eulogies on the Death of Dan'l Webster, 2 v. Longman's Magazine, 2 vols.
C. N. Chapin. George F. Stone.
W. L. Williams.
66
Tenth Census, 7 vols. .
Henry Westcott, A Memorial
Memorial of Wendell Phillips
What shall we do with our Daughters
Memoir of George B. Emerson
Daniel Jefferson. S. Z. Bowman. Mrs.Henry Westcott. City of Boston. Mary A. Livermore. Rev. R. C. Waterston.
Papers.
Daniel Jefferson. Wm. L. Williams.
STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1884.
Number of volumes in Library January 1, 1884
5,484
66 66 purchased this year · 396
66
66 66 donated 66 66
. 25
421
Number of volumes in Library January 1, 1885 5,905
Number of persons using Library January 1, 1884
1,619
66
" cards issued this year
307
66
66 relinquished this year 19
288
Number of persons using Library January 1, 1885 1,907
Largest number of volumes issued in one day
477
Smallest
66
66
66 66
6. 66 (December 24, ) 46
stormy,
Average 66
66
66
66 on Mondays 91 336
in March
3,302
66
66 66 66
66
60
66 in November . 2,639
66
66
66
66 in December 2,455
66
66
$6
66
66 this year · 29,447
Increase in circulation
66 66
· 1,189
66 66 66 66 on Saturdays
Whole 66 66 66 66
in May 2,629 .
66
The Literary World
The Melrose Journal
95
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Five hundred and ten books have been rebound.
The Library has been open Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and evenings, and Monday evenings, with the exception of the customary holidays.
Among the gifts will be noticed the carefully edited, handsomely bound, and finely illustrated volumes of the Massachusetts State Government of 1879, with admirable portraits of Governor Long, the Council, Judges of the Courts, Senators, &c .; and also the "Old State House Memo- rial," a very interesting volume of much historic interest and value. Both these gifts are from our friend Joseph D. Wilde, Esq.
That the war of the Rebellion is fast passing into history is well illustrated by the numerous additions of a single year to our collection. In addition to the official records of the war published by the Government, and added to the Library as fast as procured,-and many volumes descriptive of par- ticular campaigns and battles,-the following Regimental histories have been purchased :-
Ist Mass. Regiment.
66 36th 37th 66 6th 66 66 38th 66 66 12th 66 66
2d 66 66 66 44th 66 66 66 21st 66 45th 66 66 27th 66 66 66 66 õth 66 66
32d 66 33d 66
66
35th Mass. Regiment.
49th 55th 66
10th 66
(Sleeper's) Battery.
Any of our citizen soldiers who have volumes of Regi- mental History in their possession, which our catalogue shows are lacking in our collection, will confer a favor upon the Town Library by giving such information to the Trustees as will enable them to purchase the volumes needed to com- plete the series.
The Book-Notes of " Bibliophile," seventeen of which were placed before the readers of the Melrose Journal in 1884, have served to increase the information of the public
96
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE
as to some of the books which may be read by all, and have been read by the author of these pungent little notelets.
A single extract will, we trust, serve to further arrest the attention of that honored citizen who has made up his mind to leave a handsome legacy to the Library, by his last will and testament, and lead him to change his plans in so far as to put them into execution at once.
Good examples are plentiful of men who are enjoying the inestimable privilege of being their own executors, and of carrying out with daily delight their own well-developed plans.
" A very fine library building is about to be erected in Malden, at a cost, including the land, of about one hundred and forty thousand dollars. This is a gift from a citizen of the town." " Bibliophile " read the above, and was sad. He was reading Librarian Winchester's report on the " Public Support of the Free Public Library," made to the Trustees of the Russell Library, of Middletown, Conn., wherein he makes one's mouth water by speaking of the beautiful gems of library buildings already exist- ing, - the " Ames Free Library" of Easton, the Concord, the Woburn, the " Thomas Crane Public Library " of Quincy, and others, and the one to be possessed by our mother, Malden, as indicated by the above extract. Give us, oh ye rich ! a $40,000 one, like the Thomas Crane of Quincy, and we won't ask for a $140,000 one until some time after Melrose becomes a city ! Then " Bibliophile " read, in the same report, what Professor Jevons, of Owens College, England, said : -
" Free libraries are engines for creating the habit and power of enjoying first-class literature, and thus carrying forward the work of civilization which is commenced in the primary school ; " and again, " Let us study to perfect the workings of this crowning department in our apparatus for popular education. Unlike all other public charities, the free library is equally generous to those who have and to those who lack. It cares as tenderly for the many as for the few, and removes some of those painful con- trasts in human opportunity which all good men are anxious to rectify ;" and realizing that Melrose, notwithstanding it has no nice roof-tree of its own, is nevertheless enjoying the existence of
97
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
one of those " engines for creating the habit and power of enjoying first-class literature," " Bibliophile " was happy !
While it seems hardly necessary to repeat the " twice-told tales " of our hopes and plans for the Library, yet we are aware that time has served to teach lessons as to the educa- tional advantages of such an institution, which could only have been learned in time, and as one of the blessed results of experience.
Having therefore reached a point where a change of plan is imperative on account of our cramped quarters, we again request the establishment of a Public Reading Room.
The Room now used by the School Committee is perfectly adapted to the purpose, as it was originally prepared for the Library and piped for gas throughout with that end in view ; and therefore no extra expense would need to be incurred in that direction. Being opposite the Library entrance, it would attract and care for the overflow of readers, and give them an opportunity, now lacking in so many homes, of an hour for study and reflection.
It would also enable the townspeople to use to advantage our Reference Library, now, from its location, almost inac- cessible.
In addition to these advantages, it would furnish proper location for our pamphlets, now numbering several hundred, which could then be made ready for general use.
The Monthly Illustrated Magazines, now unused until bound, would then be read from month to month as they come fresh from the press.
The opening of the Reading Room would also help toward the solution of a problem of serious interest: Where may our young men spend an hour or two in the evening amid at- tractive surroundings ?
Mr. Whipple says: " Precious and priceless are the bless- ings which books scatter around our daily paths."
In Malden, Wakefield, Stoneham, and very many other towns, the Reading Room has been found of great and lasting
98
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
advantage to the young, and a real and permanent blessing to the community.
Your Trustees feel that public opinion justifies them in calling the matter to the attention of the Town, with a re- quest for immediate and favorable consideration.
Our co-Trustee, Miss Phœbe Norris, now Mrs. Benneson, invaluable as a citizen and as a tried and trusted friend of all plans for the development of educational schemes, having removed from the town, it will become necessary to fill her place at the Annual Town Meeting.
We request an appropriation of five hundred dollars and the Dog Tax for the Library, and two hundred and fifty dollars for the Reading Room.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES C. BARRY,
Secretary.
ELDRIDGE H. GOSS, THOMAS B. PECK,
HANNAH LYNDE, CHAS. C. BARRY.
Trustees.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MELROSE,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1884.
MELROSE: PRINTED BY T. W. RIPLEY. 1885.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
- 1884-1885.
ORGANIZATION.
JULIUS S. CLARK - -
Chairman.
MRS. S. W. BRADBURY - -
Secretary.
MRS. A. K. MILLER
- - Supply Agent.
COMMITTEE.
THOMAS W. RIPLEY -
Term expires
1887.
MRS. S. W. BRADBURY -
66
66
1887.
CLIFTON FLETCHER
66
66
1886.
MRS. J. G. ADAMS
-
-
66
66
1886.
JULIUS S. CLARK -
66
66
1885.
MRS. A. K. MILLER
-
66
66
1885.
-
-
-
-
-
-
TO THE CITIZENS OF MELROSE.
With the close of another year we again submit an ac- count of our stewardship, into whose trust you have confided, as parents and citizens, your most sacred obligations. We appreciate the magnitude of this responsibility, and, if we have not attained to what we have wished and to what you may have reasonably expected, attribute it rather to limita- tion of powers than to want of zeal. While the reports of each year are somewhat formal in their aspects and monoto- nous in their recitations, yet, when contrasted with those of years gone, evidences of departure in methods of performance and systems of instruction are apparent ; and we hope that results of good, more or less commensurate with the efforts put forth, have been attained.
THE BOARD.
It is a wise provision of the law that contemplates a three years' tenure for each member of the Committee, the terms of two expiring each year, - that the members, as a whole, may not be unfamiliar with their duties. Unfortunately, in fact, this is not always so, owing to the "divine right" of resignation. An acceptance of a position on the Board should involve a tacit agreement to continue the full term, if possible, both in the interest of the cause and in justice to fellow-members, upon whom devolves greater labor and responsibility with inexperienced co-laborers. At present this condition does not prevail, and the welfare of all concerned has been promoted thereby. The aggregate service of the present Committee is twenty-one years, giving an average of three and a half years to each. There has been no change in the personnel of the Committee since the last report ; but in November Mr. Fletcher, to the regret of his associates, resigned his position as chairman, which he had so ably and
4
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
faithfully filled for five consecutive years, -the longest in the history of the town; and the Board was reorganized with Mrs. S. W. Bradbury as secretary and the undersigned as chairman.
FINANCIAL.
Dr.
To Teachers' Salaries
$13,114 10
66 Teacher of Music and Elocution
356 00
" Janitors' Salaries 1,077 20
" Committee's " 66 66 34
287 50
" Agent's
' Fuel 990 10
" Miscellaneous expenses (contingent and text-book) 4,732 47
" Balances on hand Jan. 1, 1885 447 09
Total .
$21,090 80
Cr.
By General Appropriation at Annual Meeting · $15,500 00 .
Contingent 66 66 66 2,500 00
" Text-Book " November 2,000 00
" Balances on hand Jan. Ist, 1884 . 716 59
" State School Fund I 7 76
" Receipts from other sources 156 45
Total . $21,090 80
Amount expended, for all purposes, past year . . $20,543 71
Amount needed the ensuing year, $20,875, namely :-
For Salaries of Teachers $14,000 00 ·
66 66 " Janitors . ,1,150 00
66 " Committee 325 00
66 " Agent 100 00
66 School Supplies, i. e., books, stationery, &c. 1,250 00
" Contingent expenses . 2,000 00
" New Schools 500 00
" Fuel . 1,050 00
" Out-building, Centre School (if found necessary) 500 00
Total .
$20,875 00
5
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
CONTINGENT EXPENSES.
There was appropriated for 1884 the sum of $2,500. The sum asked for contemplated some large and unusual out- lays ; such as two furnaces and improved ventilation for High School building, and furnishing of three new schools ; and these aggregated a sum of $1,000. In the past few . years much has been done to improve the convenience and appearance of school lots, in the way of curbing and con- creting and in the planting of trees. A judicious expendi- ture in making public buildings attractive we believe to be wise, and in harmony with your sentiments. While each year brings its demands, we see no extraordinary ones in the immediate future, and have therefore asked for a less sum for the ensuing year.
GRADING OF SCHOOLS.
Among the superior advantages of cities and towns over more sparsely settled communities, not the least of those conducive to efficiency are the opportunities for grading. The greater the number of pupils within definite territorial limits, the more, without increased expense, may be the grades. Each year of school-life should be spent in a dis- tinctive grade.
It is evident that a teacher can do more and better work, and with less outlay of health and strength, with a room of one class or grade, than with several; and whatever favors the teacher in her work, equally benefits the pupil. The organization of our schools contemplates an eight-years' pupilage for the average child, from the alphabet to high school. Until within the last three years, there were but five schools for this eight-year course, when, by reducing the grade of the Intermediate where it was possible, there was created an additional or Fourth Grammar; and eventually this plan will be extended to a Fifth and Sixth.
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