USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1893-1895 > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
interest in this line of work. Melrose may be made famous for beautiful trees. In many places the commissioners may be able, through cooperation with the abutters, to divide the expense of such work.
The future work of the park commissioners is not im- perative like that of the payment of interest on the public debt, maintaining public schools, a fire department or the highways, but it is believed that no work of improvement that may engage the attention of the town, will bring so much in return as the improvement of our public breathing places, and especially the work of setting out trees and caring for them. And the quicker such work is inaugurated and carried out, the larger will be the returns.
Citizens interested are invited to confer with the park commissioners regarding it.
GEORGE T. BROWN, Chairman. MAURICE G. COCHRANE, Treasurer. C. H. ADAMS, Secretary.
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
MELROSE, Dec. 31, 1893. To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :- I have the honor to submit my annual re- port for the year ending December 31st, 1893.
During the past year the following amounts have been collected for fines, and after deducting expenses of court, turned over to the town treasurer.
From the First District court,
$395 55
County treasurer, . .
20 00
$415 55
Causes for Arrest and Cases brought before the Court for the year 1893.
Assault,
12
Adultery,
2
Attempt to break from lock-up,
I
Attempt to break and enter,
3
Breaking glass,
3
Board of Health By-Laws,
I
Cruelty to animals,
5
Defrauding boarding-house,
2
Disorderly house,
2
Disturbing the peace,
23
66 on R. R.,
I
Default warrants,
4
Drunkenness,
96
.
183
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
Evading car-fare,
I
Embezzelment,
4
Forgery,
2
Fast driving,
I
Felonious assault,
I
Insane, committed,
.
2
Illegal transportation, .
.
2
Keeping unlicensed dog,
3
Keeping and exposing,
4
Larceny,
5
Lacivious conduct,
I
Malicious mischief,
I
Non-support,
4
Neglected children,
4
Receiving stolen property,
I
Riding on sidewalk,
4
Search warrants,
9
Stubborn child,
I
Truancy,
I
Threats,
2
Vagrants,
5
Miscellaneous Duties Performed.
Arrested for out-of-town officers, 7
Contageous diseases, cards put up,
I33
Cases investigated,
35
Disturbances suppressed,
21
Doors found unlocked,
24
Dogs killed, .
II
Defects in street reported,
23
sidewalk reported,
9
Electric wires reported down, Fire alarms given,
4
4
.
184
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
Fires put out without an alarm,
2
Lost children returned, 6
Leaks in water-pipes reported,
27
Lanterns hung in dangerous places,
30
Notices delivered.
25
Notices of unlicensed dogs sent out,
185
Persons assisted home,
I
Streets lights reported out,
339
Stray teams put up,
IO
Street signs put up,
30
Appropriations for 1893.
Balance from 1892,
$39 47
Bills due,
87 61
Appropriation,
6,450 00
Court fees for 1893,
415 55
$6,992 63
Expenses for the year 1893.
Salaries,
$6,501 80
Incidental expenses,
465 48
$6,967 28
Balance,
$25 35
185
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
The following amounts have been paid :
Frank M. McLaughlin, $913 00
Osborne E. Drown, 905 75
William A. Caswell,
900 75
Charles F. W. Fogg,
890 75
Jerome T. Smith,
884 75
Redford M. Rand,
889 75
George E. Fuller,
519 30
Harry Brown,
54 75
Gustavus F. Allen,
278 25
John W. Davis,
48 75
Allston H. Pineo,
66 50
Joseph D. Lord, .
6 00
Augustus Cheissong,
6 00
A. Wilbur Lynde,
5 00
Arthur L. Brigham,
129 50
James Davidson,
3 00
$6,501 80
The expenses of the department for the year 1893 exceed those of the previous year in the sum of $938.92, of this amount $682.75 was paid by vote of the town for increase of twenty-five cents per diem to each man, and partly by extra services required on account of the unusual amount of sick- ness among the men during the year. One additional man was added to the department in December, and assigned to duty at the Fells. The large territory in that section_being practically uncovered, and the demand for police protection being such, it was deemed necessary so to do. If this service is to be continued it will necessitate an increased appropri- ation for the coming year. Your attention is called to the expenditure of $148.50 for horse-hire during the year. The
I86
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
department has a wagon which is used as a patrol wagon in times of need, but is obliged to hire horses when the same is used. The interest of the town would be served by the purchase of a horse for this department, as it could be util- ized for patrolling the outskirts of the town, and allow a much larger district to be covered than at present, and still furnish service for wagon. In behalf of the department I would extend thanks to your honorable board for the cordial support and assistance rendered during the year. Also, to the honorable justices and clerk of the First District court for courtesies received.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK M. MCLAUGHLIN, Chief.
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
Forty-six families, representing 148 persons, together with twenty-nine single persons, all making 177, have received more or less aid within the year. Of this number forty- eight were fully supported, as follows: twenty-four sane and sixteen insane, had a settlement in our town, seven had their settlements elsewhere, and one is a state pauper.
The number partially supported is 129, as follows: ninety- two had their settlements in our town, thirty-one had their settlements elswhere, and six were state paupers.
There are fourteen persons in the state institutions for the insane, belonging to the town, who are boarded at a cost of $3.25 a week, each.
Four persons belonging to the full-support list; two sane and two insane have died during the year.
We feel that the contingencies of the year have been met by a humane economy, and as they have been not unlike those of previous years, either in kind, in degree of suffer- ing or in number of applications, we are aware that it has been owing to active agencies outside of the department which have relieved us of a burden that otherwise must have fallen more heavily upon us.
The recent vote of the town by which employment has been supplied to the workingmen later in the winter than usual, has been helpful to many who were dependent upon them. Churches and societies have sent trusted ones to minister to the needs of those who were known to them, while other volunteer charities, both organized and private,
188
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
have aided many worthy families, who were without friends known to them.
By their personal service and by volunteer visiting, they have brought these to the notice of generous citizens, who have shared of their means with them. We are knowing of individuals, personally known to poor persons, who have helped such in their own quiet way.
As the hard times are likely to increase, and it is believed that others may come to need, it is hoped, that in some way, they may be referred to these kind workers, who will inves- tigate thoroughly, and obtain the needed relief.
The auditor's report of the expenses of this department may be found elsewhere, as shown in the table of contents.
H. G. FIELDS,
T. T. NOWELL, MARTHA D. BALE,
Overseers of the Poor.
Report of Superintendent of Streets.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN :- In answer to your request I respectfully submit the following report of the work done and the distri- bution of labor for the year ending December 31, 1893.
Distribution of Labor on Streets. (Accounted for by Highway Pay Roll).
Batchelder street, gravelling and rolling, ·
$251 38
Baxter street, gravelling and rolling, . 52 62
Bellevue avenue, picking up, gravelling and roll- ing, . 408 38
Beverly street, grading and rolling, 127 00
Botolph street, gravelling, 50 feet eight-inch drain pipe, one catch basin, 30 50
Chestnut street, gravelling and rolling, 97 38
Cottage street, gravelling and rolling. 31 50
Day street, grading, widening and rolling, 200 feet of eight-inch drain pipe, one catch basin, 172 51
East street, grading, widening and rolling, . 598 98
Elm street, gravelling and rolling,
91 43
Emerson street, east, gravelling and widening, 40
feet of eight-inch drain pipe, two catch basins, 185 88
Emerson street, West, gravelling and rolling, 80 75
Essex street, gravelling and rolling, one catch basin, 40 63
Ferdinand street, gravelling,
5 75
Amount carried forward, . . $2,174 69
I90
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
Amount brought forward, . $2,174 69 Florence street, 200 feet eight-inch drain pipe, 23 75 Foster street, gravelling and rolling, 133 50
Franklin street, gravelling and rolling, stone crossing, 140 feet eight-inch drain pipe, three catch basins, . 305 63
Gooch street, gravelling and rolling, one catch basin, 17 00
Green street, gravelling and rolling, one catch basin, 186 00
Grove street, picking up and rolling, III 50
Highland avenue, one catch basin, 5 00
Howard street, widening, grading and rolling, 10 feet of ten-inch drain pipe, 1,042 64
Hurd street, gravelling and rolling, 15 75
Lebanon street, gravelling, rolling, removing ledge, building sidewalk, 36 feet ten-inch drain pipe, 30 feet six-inch drain pipe, 30 feet eight-inch drain pipe, three catch basins, 532 81 Linden street, gravelling and rolling, 99 87
Linwood avenue, gravelling, 60 feet six-inch drain pipe, three catch basins, IIO 25
Lynde street, gravelling and rolling, cutting down near Main street, 34 75
Malvern street, picking up and rolling, 13 00
Main street, center, 50 feet ten-inch drain pipe, one stone culvert, ·
53 25
Main street, south, picking up, gravelling and rolling, 200 25 Main street, north, widening, grading, removing ledge and rolling, . .
576 69
Maple street, grading, gravelling and rolling, 248 38
Oakland street, gravelling, .
. II 00
Orient avenue, cutting down, grading and rolling, 87 50
Amount carried forward, $5,983 21
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS. 191
Amount brought forward, . $5,983 21
Otis street, gravelling and rolling, 85 00
Pleasant street, repairing culvert, 8 75
Porter street, gravelling and rolling, 30 feet eight inch drain pipe, one catch basin, 88 50
Rowe street, gravelling and rolling, III 00
Sargent street, gravelling and rolling, . 143 75
Sewall's Woods road, rolling,
6 00
Summer street, gravelling and rolling, 91 69
Sanford street, 492 feet eight-inch drain pipe, 208 feet ten-inch drain pipe,
Tappan street, 350 feet six-inch drain pipe, four catch basins, . 80 75
Third street, gravelling, grading and rolling, 10 feet ten-inch drain pipe, 75 feet six-inch drain pipe, two catch basins,
301 13
Tremont street, stone culvert, 50 63
Upham street, picking-up, gravelling, rolling, cut-
ting-down near Sewall street, 50 feet 10-inch drain pipe, 271 75
Vine street, gravelling and rolling, 60 50
Vinton street, cutting down near Oakland street, gravelling and rolling from Emerson to Franklin streets, and gravelling and rolling in front of Vinton street school-house, 300 feet 8-inch drain pipe, two catch basins, 698 87
Walnut street, gravelling and rolling, seventy-five feet 10-inch drain pipe, one catch bain, 38 62
Walton park, gravelling and rolling, stone culvert 144 25
Warren street, gravelling and rolling, . 31 00
Washington street, building extension from end of rubber shop to Malden line, rolling, forty feet 15-inch drain pipe, two catch basins, 1,185 51
Amount carried forward, . .
$9,380 91
-
192
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
Amount brought forward, $9,380 91 West Hill avenue, gravelling and rolling, 359 ft. 8-inch drain pipe, three catch basins, · 123 00 · Whittier street, gravelling and rolling, thirty feet 15-inch drain pipe, 163 50
Willow st., cutting down, gravelling and rolling, 14 75
Woodland avenue, gravelling and rolling, 9 75
Wyoming avenue, gravelling and rolling,
53 00
General Repairs.
Scraping streets, cleaning catch basins, sprinkling streets, cleaning streets, repairs after storms, and small work,
1,787 34
Snow.
Plowing-out sidewalks and gutters, removing deep snow and sanding sidewalks, . 1,203 18
Steam Roller.
Repairing,
3 00
Stone Breaker.
Cleaning and greasing,
9 00
Brooks.
Ell pond brook, cleaning out,
64 50
Spot pond brook, cleaning out, . 16 00
Trees.
Trimming trees, .
49 56
Total amount of pay roll, . $12,877 49
193
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
Concrete Crossings.
Botolph st. and Summit ave., 19.3 sq. yds. at 60c.
$II 58
Cedar park,
27.2
16 32
Charles st. at Emerson st., 24.78 66
14 87
Emerson st. at Poplar st., 15.8 66
9 48
First st. at Lebanon st.,
15.5
66
9 30
First st. at Parker st.,
39.0
23 40
Franklin st. at Vinton st.,
23.8
66
14 28
Franklin st. at Garden st.
66
79 92
Warren st. & Chipman av.
Franklin st.,
43.28
66
66
25 97
Florence st. at Sanford st.,
25.5
66
66
15 30
Foster st. at Dell ave.,
21.I
66
66
12 66
Howard st. at Elm st.,
30.6
66
66
18 36
Main st.,
28.0
16 80
Melrose st. and Vinton st.,
30.6
66
34 50
Orient ave.,
43.3
66
25 98
Porter st. at Linden st.,
24.5
66
66
14 70
Trenton st. at Chester st.,
53.6
66
32 16
Trenton st. at Russell st.,
33.3
66
19 98
Upham st. at Sewall st.,
15.2
66
9 12
Upham st. at Gooch st.,
14.4
66
8 64
Vinton st., at Youle st.,
49.8
66
29 88
West Hill ave.,
23.3
66
13 98
Wyoming ave. at Cottage st., 32.0
66
19 20
Wyoming av. at Trenton st., 24. I
66
14 46
Wyoming av. at Florence st., 44.3
66
26 58
898.96
$539 38
66
21 96
Melrose st. and Melrose pl., 57.5
I33.2
13
194
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS,
Concrete Gutters.
Botolph st.,
341.05 sq. yds. at 60c.
$204 63
Cedar park,
81.90
-
49 14
East Emerson st. & Upham st. 68.86
40 II
West Emerson st.,
384.3
230 58
First st.,
159.6
95 76
Franklin st.,
6.1
3 66
Linden st.,
153.4
92 04
Mt. Vernon st.,
44.12
66
66
26 47
Poplar st. at Emerson st.,
8.32
66
66
4 99
Vinton st. at Maple st.,
89.6
60
53 76
Vinton, Oakland & Youle st., 21.9
66
13 14
West Hill ave.,
258.6
66
155 16
Walton park,
203.8
I22 28
Walnut st.,
64.3
66
38 58
Woodland ave.,
184.2
66
IIO 52
Wyoming ave.,
219.00
125 40
2,287.05
$1,366 22
Concrete around Catch Basins.
Winthrop and Myrtle st.,
34. sq. yds. at 6oc.
$20 40
Linwood ave.,
7. 4 20
Tappan and Baxter sts.,
41.01 66
24 61
82.01
$49 21
Top Dressing, Gutters and Crossings.
Emerson st. at Poplar st., 24. I sq. yds., @ .25,
6 02
Mt. Vernon street,
44.12
@ .30, 13 24
Wyoming avenue,
444. 7
@ .25, III 17
5 12.92 $130 43
66
60
195
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
Summary of Bills Paid.
Blacksmithing, . $270 74
Coal and wood for roller and drill, . 383 18
Covering stone, 178 10 .
Catch-basin covers,
78 00
Damages, widening East street, ·
50 00
Drain pipe, 100 23
Dynamite, etc.,
72 76
Gravel, .
745 85
Lumber and carpenter work, 203 33
Miscellaneous, 169 32
Oil and supplies for roller and drill, 48 09
Roller, repairs on steam, 137 86
Setting edge stones,
91 12
Snow, removing and plowing,
414 90
Superintendence, 833 30 ·
Surveying, 193 00
Steam boiler, use of,
28 00
Tools,
99 26
$4,097 04
Recapitulation.
Total amount of pay roll,
$12,877 49
for concrete gutters, . 1,366 22
66 for concrete crossings, 539 38
for concrete around catch
basins,
49 21
Total amount for top dressing,
130 43
of bills paid, . · 4,097 94
$19,059 77
.
.
196
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
Total amount of highway appropria-
tions and balance, . $16,141 22
Total amount of highway receipts, · 3,188 53
- 19,329 75 Total amount paid out of highway ap- propriations and receipts, 19,059 77
Balance, . $269 98
NOTE .- A detailed statement of these bills can be seen in the auditor's report.
Tools and Apparatus belonging to the Department.
One steam roller, one sectional roller, one street scraper, one watering cart, stone breaker and plant, one steam drill and equipments, set of blacksmith's tools, one forge, eigh- teen shovels, eighteen picks, four mattocks, four post spoons, six hammers, eight steel bars, eight drills, four wheelbarrows and nine snow plows.
The amounts expended on the more extensive improve- ments during the year are as follows :
East Street.
This street was widened to forty feet, graded, gravelled, and rolled its entire length.
Labor, per pay roll, $598 98
Coal and wood, II 03
$610 01
197
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
Howard Street.
This street was widened to fifty feet, graded, gravelled and rolled from Green street to the Saugus line. Labor, per pay roll, $1,042 64
Surveying,
15 00
Gravel, .
78 00
Dynamite, etc.,
2 00
Covering stone,
15 00
Drain pipe, .
I 60
Coal and wood,
18 00
$1,172 24
Lebanon Street.
This street was cut down between Beach and Park streets, a ledge removed, graded, gravelled and rolled, and a side- walk built near Malden line.
Labor, per pay roll,
$532 81
Surveying,
3 00
Dynamite, etc.,
35 65
Use of boiler,
20 00
Coal and wood,
35 13
Drain pipe and catch basin covers,
27 60
$654 19
Main Street Widening (North).
This street was widened, graded, gravelled and rolled and a ledge removed between Franklin street and Wakefield line.
Labor, per pay roll,
$576 69
Surveying,
2 00
Use of boiler,
8 00
Dynamite, etc.,
14 40
Coal and wood,
12 25
$613 34
198
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
Vinton Street.
This street was cut down between Oakland and Otis streets, graded, gravelled and rolled from Emerson street to Youle street, Perkins street to Franklin street, and in front of Vinton street school house, and drain pipe laid.
Labor, per pay roll,
$698 87
Gravel,
40 00
Drain pipe and catch basin covers,
45 00
Coal and wood,
15 50
$799 37
Washington Street.
This street was laid out and built from the end of Boston Rubber Shoe Company's factory to Malden line, gravelled and rolled.
Labor, per pay roll,
$1,185 51
Surveying,
12 00
Gravel, .
115 75
Drain pipe and catch basin covers,
25 00
Coal and wood,
10 00
$1,348 26
Snow.
The amount expended for plowing sidewalks, removing deep snow and sanding walks was as follows:
Labor, per pay roll,
$1,203 18
Labor done by outside parties,
414 90
$1,618 08
Special Appropriations.
See auditor's report in regard to Perkins street, Main street widening (center), and concrete sidewalks.
WALTER B. ELLIS,
Superintendent of Streets.
Statistics of Births, Marriages and Deaths
REGISTERED IN THE TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE FOR THE YEAR 1893.
Births.
Marriages.
Deaths.
January,
20
IO
14
February,
25
9
12
March,
20
4
IO
April,
16
20
16
May,
21
9
II
June,
21
23
10
July,
I7
2
IO
August, .
18
4
26
September,
20
15
8
October,
2I
9
19
November,
15
19
II
December,
24
6
II
238
I30
158
BIRTHS.
Number registered,
238
Less than last year,
IO
Males,
II3
Females,
125
238
Of the above number 232 were born in Melrose and 6 were born in other places.
Born of American parents, .
109
foreign parents,
76
66 American father and foreign mother, 31
foreign father and American mother,
22
238
.
200
TOWN CLERK'S STATISTICS. INTENTIONS OF MARRIAGES RECORDED.
Whole number of couples, . . I28
Both parties residing in Melrose, ·
77
But one party residing in Melrose, 49
Neither party residing in Melrose, ·
2
I28
MARRIAGES.
Whole number,
· I 30
More than last year,
-
· 25
Both parties American,
72
Both parties foreign, .
34
Parties American and foreign,
24
I30
First marriage of persons,
229
Second marriage of persons,
. 29
Third marriage of persons, .
2
260
Total number of couples,
I30
DEATHS.
Whole number registered,
158
Less than last year, IO .
Had residence in Melrose, died elsewhere, II .
Had residence elsewhere, died in Melrose,
Males (married),
30
Females (married),
25
Widows,
I2
Widowers, .
9
Males (single),
I2
Females (single),
16
Male children,
23
Female children,
3I
.
3
.
.
·
158
20I
TOWN CLERK'S STATISTICS.
Under one year (still-born or premature birth, II,)
From I to 5,
I3
5 to 10,
. 4
IO to 20, .
4 I3
20 to 30,
30 to 40,
. 17
A
66 40 to 50, I5 14 I3
50 to 60, 60 to 70,
70 to 80, 80 to 90,
15 I2
Over 90,
2 158
REGISTRATION OF VOTERS.
Total number as per last report, . 2,017
Registered previous to annual meeting:
Feb. 23,
IO
Mar. I,
18
Apr. 19,
24
2,069
Erased on account of deaths and removals, I7
2,052
Erased in September, on account of removals, names not appearing upon lists as submitted by the board of assessors, .
194
Deaths from April to October, I5 209
Total number of male voters,
1,843 Divided as follows:
36
202
TOWN CLERK'S STATISTICS.
Precinct I, Highlands. Precinct 2, Centre. Precinct 3, Wyoming. 364 813 666
Registered and restored previous to November meeting:
Oct. 12, 8
23
18
66
I9, 46
2
" 26, 3
16
65
Nov. I, 25
36
44
446
890
793 Total, 2,129
Total number assessed polls.
Registered males.
Females.
Precinct I, 634
446
IO
66
2, 1,14I
890
30
3, 1,23I
793
6
3,006
2,129
46
JURORS DRAWN DURING THE YEAR.
January 26, 1893.
Moses W. Lester (Grand Juror), Jerome B. Johnson, Joseph C. Bowker. Ansel B. Pierce, Alvah M. Davis.
March 1, 1893.
June 6, 1893.
William A. Dole, Willie F. Phipps. James O. Lynde.
April 4, 1893.
August 29, 1893.
Nov. 28, 1893.
Fred W. Jacobs, Jonathan C. Howes, George M. Hall. Arthur C. Currier, John Dexter.
MILITARY LIST.
Number of persons liable to do military duty, as reported by the assessors,
2,248
203
TOWN CLERK'S STATISTICS.
DOG LICENSES.
Total number issued,
529
For males, .
. 478
For females,
. 49
527
To breeders of dogs,
2
·
529
Breeders' licenses issued to
Eugene H. Moore,
$25 00
H. V. Jamieson,
25 00
$50 00
Paid county treasurer:
June 1, 1893,
. $609 60
November 28, 1893,
535 60
$1,145 20
TO THE CITIZENS OF MELROSE.
In March, 1873, twenty-one years ago, you elected me to the office of town clerk. Since that time my elections have been practically unanimous. I cannot express in words my gratitude for your continued confidence and expressions of good will. With the increase in population the duties of the office have largely increased, and I now find that I cannot give the time and attention which it demands. I shall therefore, decline to be a candidate for the office in the coming election.
Thanking you again for your kindness and courtesy during this long term of service, I remain,
Very respectfully yours, JOHN LARRABEE.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
OF THE
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1893.
MELROSE : DUNTON & POTTER, PRINTERS, REPORTER OFFICE. 1894.
TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1893.
The trustees of the public library respectfully present their twenty-third annual report. The removal of the school committee to their new quarters in the Mary A. Livermore school house has given to the reading room the sole use of the room in which it formerly had control of a share only, and the public have gladly availed themselves of their acquisition. The number of visitors has increased from 13,977, in 1892 to 15,641. The pupils of the public schools form a large proportion of this increase, and they use the maps, dictionaries and books of reference with which the room is supplied. The remaining new visitors are those who come to read the periodicals and newspapers.
The library was closed from July 17th to Aug. 7th, for needed repairs, and during this time no books were dis tributed. This accounts for the loss in circulation, which is 32,197 this year as against 34,093 in 1892. The whole num- ber of new cards issued this year is slightly in advance of the number of last year, and the circulation reckoned on the time the library has been open has likewise increased.
The two new classified bulletins printed this year were asked for before their appearance, and they save the hard- used and fast-disappearing catalogue.
208
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The librarian places on a shelf by her desk the new books, and the readers can look them over and select from them for home use. Many libraries accord the privilege of going among the alcoves and selecting books after a slight exami- nation of the contents. There is no better way of advertis- ing the best books. Works of fiction and books of travel get into circulation at once because they are pleasing : scientific works in this inventive, money-making age do not long remain unread; biographies, histories and poetry make friends more slowly, they must attract by an anecdote, an entertaining letter, by a picture or a taking bit of rhyme before the reader will carry them home, and this appeal can only be made when they are opened and the contents seen. A revolving bookcase holds the books which are for the examination of young people. The new shelves are set up and are beginning to be filled. The books bought previous to 1883 have been carefully examined by the trustees, and those whose usefulness had ceased or which were worn out and were not to be replaced, have been taken out. Addi- tions have been made to the furniture of the library and the room presents a more attractive appearance.
A new registration was begun in January, 1893; that is as the cards used in asking for books were renewed by the librarian, each card received a new number and was marked with the figure 2, which showed it to be one of the second registration. The library is in its twenty-fourth year, and the custom has been to add the cards issued to new readers to those already in circulation, and assume this sum to be the number of persons using the library. In time this has become incorrect because no reduction was made for those cards held by families who left town, nor those lost or worn out and not renewed. The new registration has reached 1,300, and in the statistics this is assumed to be the number
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.