USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Williamsburg > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Williamsburg 1895-1915 > Part 36
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2 50
Thos. Coogan,
20
Paid H. A. Bisbee, Constable, $31 35
H. A. Bisbee, Special Police, 25 00
H. A. Bisbee, Janitor, 35 00
H. A. Bisbee, repairs Town Hall, 50
District Court Fees, 85 38
O. W. Hill, Special Police, 3 00
G. A. Thresher, Special Police, 5 00
C. M. Brewster, team Thresher lot forest fire, 5 00
C. M. Brewster, team, Reservoir lot forest fire, 5 00
C. M. Brewster, team, Saw Mill lot forest fire, 5 00
H. W. Hill, recording births, deaths and marriages, 37 80
H. W. Hill, sundries, 3 75
H. W. Hill, Registrar,
10 00
M. E. Riley,
5 00
S. J. Burke, 66
5 00
W. G. Bisbee, 1910, 1911, 10 00
A. J. Polmatier, Elector, 10 00
F. J. Vining, Forest Warden, 7 18
John Mansfield, service forest fire, 1 12
Charles O'Brien; 1 12
Martin Mullaley, 66
1 12
Philip McGowan, 66 66
1 13
Thomas O'Brien,
66
1 13
Jerry Keating, 66 66
1 13
Byron Loomis, team to forest fire, Saw Mill Lot, 2 00
Geo. P. O'Donnell, legal services,
4 20
Hobbs & Warren Co., blanks for Overseers of the Poor, 97
Haydenville Hose Co., services at Pyresark fire, 4 30
The Carter Ink Co., record ink, 2 25
A. J. Polmatier, team, South St. and Breckenridge fires, 5 00
21
Paid Williamsburg Fire Co., services at Breckenridge fire, $1 60
Bureau of Statistics for certifi- cation of Town Notes, 12 00
R. F. Burke, sundry abatement of 1910 tax, 118 70
R. F. Burke, Collector, 1910, 125 00
Geo. E. Tennyson, Special Police,
100 00
Lawrence Molloy, Assessor,
35 00
H. H. Nichols, 66
35 00
C. S. Damon, 66
38 75
H. H. Nichols, inspecting beef, pork and veal, 67 95
Gazette Printing Co., printing letter Heads, 3 50
$2,270 03
AVAILABLE FOR CONTINGENT ACCOUNT.
Appropriation,
$900 00
National Bank Tax,
578 16
Corporation Tax,
400 56
Rent of Town Hall,
30 00
District Court Fines,
62 70
Sundry licenses and articles sold,
39 75
Compensation of inspection of animals,
13 50
Received from State, Smiths School Account, 102 50
Received from sale of Loomis lot,
40 00
Received from Town of Chesterfield, Forest Fire Account, 3 00
$2,170 17
Appropriation recommended, $900 00, and State, Corporation and Bank Tax.
22
PAUPER ACCOUNT.
Under the provisions of Chapter 412 of the Acts of the year 1910.
Number of persons aided for the year ending February 1, 1912,-45 ; 4 men, 15 women, 14 boys, 12 girls.
Number having a settlement in this Town, 33
66 66 " other Towns, 4 66 of State Poor, 8
Total amount expended,
$2,011 62
AMOUNT AVAILABLE.
Appropriation,
$1,200 00
Received from other Towns, 190 16
the State, 192 31
66 Individuals, 69 14
$1,651 61
Appropriation recommended, $1,200.00.
MILITARY AID.
Paid Myron Ames and wife,
$222 78
Paid Geo. Cheeney, 41 80
$264 58
AMOUNT AVAILABLE.
Appropriation,
$225 00
Received from the State,
70 00
$295 00
Appropriation recommended, $100.00.
STREET LIGHTS.
Paid Mill River Electric Light Co.,
for electric current, $1,314 38
Paid for lamps, 33 60
$1,347 98
Appropriation, $1,375.00.
Appropriation recommended, $1,375.00.
23
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS.
Paid C. H. Wheeler, M. D.,
$59 00
Paid J. G. Hayes, M. D., 39 00
$98 00
Appropriation, $100.00.
Appropriation recommended, $100.00.
SPRINKLING WAGON. -
Paid City of Northampton, for one Sprinkling Wagon,
$100 00
Appropriation, $75.00.
SIDEWALKS.
WILLIAMSBURG VILLAGE.
Paid P. J. O'Connor, expense, 491 square yards walk, $235 06
HAYDENVILLE VILLGAE.
Paid P. J. O'Connor, expense, 437 square yards walk, $236 06
$471 12
Appropriation, $400.00.
POWER FOR CRUSHER.
Paid Mill River Electric Light Co., for 1 25 horse-power motor and fixtures, $421 11
Paid G. M. Gradford, lumber, 12 74
F. W. Thayer, sundries, 85
R. F. Burke, 1 roll roofing paper, 2 25
Appropriation, $500.00.
$436 95
24
MEMORIAL DAY.
Paid Adelbert Bailey,
$50 00
Appropriation, $50.00.
STATE ROAD.
Under the provisions of Chapter 279, of the Acts of the year 1908, and Chapter 525 of the Acts of the year 1910. Total amount expended, $4,933 03
AMOUNT AVAILABLE.
Appropriation,
$1,000 00
Allotment No. 1,
1,000 00
66
" 2,
1,000 00
66
" 3,
1,750 00
Balance from last report,
305 67
$5,055 67
Balance unexpended,
$122 64
Received from the State,
$3,764 81
for broken stone,
18 25
for sale of shovel,
84
$3,783 90
Appropriation recommended, $1,000 00.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Paid Mill River Electric Light Co.,
electric current and meter
charge for Williamsburg and Haydenville Engine Houses,
$ 9 00
Williamsburg Fire Co., 20 men,
40 00
Haydenville Fire Co., 20 men,
40 00
Byron Loomis, for wood,
3 50
$92 50
Appropriation, $250 00.
Appropriation recommended, $250 00.
25
LIST OF JURORS
Prepared by the Selectmen under the provisions of Chap. 348, Acts of the year 1907.
Charles W. Porter,
Farmer.
Harry C. Hosford,
Brass Worker.
Frank C. Graves,
Foreman.
Harry L. Wells,
Assistant Supt.
Warren H. Nash,
Moulder.
Michael J. Cusick,
Brass Worker.
Walter E. Pillinger,
Farmer.
George A. Buck,
Clerk.
Arthur J. Tilton,
Clerk.
Charles W. Warner,
Farmer.
Patrick P. Dunphy,
Brass Worker.
Joseph Novack,
Brass Worker.
J. Walter Nash,
Foreman.
Fred A. Shumway,
Farmer.
Michael H. Smart,
Farmer.
John M. Black,
Farmer.
James F. Dunn,
Polisher.
Thomas Vaughn,
Moulder.
George Danscerau,
Farmer.
Michael E. Riley,
Brass Worker.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES S. DAMON.
LAWRENCE MOLLOY,
Selectmen of
HALLECK H. NICHOLS, ) Williamsburg.
REPORT OF SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS.
Dr.
1911.
Feb. 15. Cash on hand,
$746 73
July 10. Interest on deposit,
13 77
Interest on bonds,
140 00
26
1912.
Jan. 1.
Interest on bonds,
$140 00
Interest on deposit,
18 00
Feb. 7.
Town Treasurer,
1,000 00
-- $2,058 50
Cr.
Feb. 14.
Paid Haydenville Savings
Bank for bonds Nos. 43-2,
$2,014 20
Accrued interest,
8 70
$2,022 90
Feb. 14. Balance of Cash on hand,
35 60
ASSETS.
1912.
Feb. 14. Williamsburg bonds Nos. 42-50,
$9,000 00
Cash on deposit,
35 60
$9,035 60
C. B. HOSFORD, BYRON LOOMIS, H. W. GRAVES,
Commissioners.
ALMONERS OF WHITING STREET FUND.
Amount received,
$290 00
Balance from last report,
10 00
$300 00
Paid 33 beneficiaries, $ 5.00 each,
$165 00
10 66
10.00 each,
100 00
1
66
16.50,
16 50
1
66
3.50,
3 50
$285 00
Balance on hand, $15.00.
MRS. GEORGE DANSEREAU, ) P. P. DUNPHY, Almoners.
W. G. BISBEE, S
Assessor's Report.
Total valuation of Assessed Estate, $1,024,615 00 Value of Assessed Real Estate, $745,145 00
66 Personal Estate, 279,470 00
--
-$1,024,615 00
66
66
Buildings,
$507,190 00
Land, 237,955 00
$745,145 00
No. of polls assessed, 623
No. of residents assessed on property,
316
All others (corporations, etc.,) 40
No. of non-residents assessed on property, 83
All others, [10
No. of persons assessed on property,
449
66 66
for poll tax only, 365
Rate total tax per thousand, $19 00
No. of horses, assessed, 276
66 cows,
66
403
66 neat cattle,
204
66 sheep, 66
25
swine, 66
66 fowls, ยท
66
1,967
66 dwelling houses, 6 425
28
State tax,
$1,727 50
County tax,
1,563 38
17,100 00
Town grant, Overlayings,
287 06
Northampton St. Ry. Co., excise tax,
478 44
$21,156 38
Bank and corporation tax, $978 72
VALUE OF PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION.
Literary Institutions,
$27,350 00
Church property,
52,300 00
Petticoat Hill Park,
1,500 00
$81,150 00
Estimated value of Public Buildings, Water Works, Fire Apparatus, and Sinking Fund, $90,719 00
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES S. DAMON, Selectmen LAWRENCE MOLLOY, of
HALLECK H. NICHOLS. ) Williamsburg.
$20,677 94
Town Clerk's Report.
BIRTHS REGISTERED IN 1911.
January 66
4. Boleslov Golas.
22. Benjamin Vondeloski.
1. Stefania Zebrowska.
February 66
9. Mari Elizabeth Taylor.
21. Esther Louise Lincoln.
66
24. Mildred Esther Robarge.
March 10. Lorencia Sweeney.
66
19. Joseph Kulac.
66
22. Stanislaus Kowalzik.
66
24. Joseph Lintner.
April
4. Antoinette Beatrice Babineau.
66
4. Catherine Julia Riley.
66
17. Esther Mary Coffee.
66
30. Vonda Hmielewski.
May 11. Vonda Antoz.
15. Anna Catherine Westin.
66
21. Watchlov Wydra.
66
28. Antony Varnitsky.
66
31. Dorothy Arcelia Mayotte.
June
4. Stephen Gressik.
66
5. Thomas Cofocostas.
6. Emma Josephine Jondreau.
66
6. Frederick Joseph Jondreau.
66
8. Edward Lester.
66
8. George Ernest Cranson.
11. Edward Wierstat.
30
June
20.
Stavula Caryofilles.
20. Ignatius Zisk.
July
2. Anthony Maleck.
66
6. Lorena D. LaFoe.
66
6. Henrietta Larkin.
9. Mary Agnes Allaire.
66
9. Ceslava Wodginski.
66
9. Marie Agnes Allaire.
66
13.
Anna Kulash.
66
17.
Onias Benjamin Duplin.
66
19.
Allen Lewis Brewer.
20. Barbara Wells Bisbee.
66
22. Edna Rose Fontaine.
66
31.
George Liapes.
August
2. Stanislaus Batura.
66
12.
William Haskin Moran.
66
16. Mary Egesta Black.
66
23. Reah Viola Knox.
66
25.
Kathleen Benoit.
September 15.
Roger William Kinney.
66
18.
Bronislaw Culash.
66
22.
Joseph Kurzek.
October
2. Henry Thompson Drake.
66
17 Mary Ellen Molloy.
November
Salamanca Mascovicz.
66
14. Alice Anna Maturin.
66
30. Alexandra Naumowicz.
December 15.
Corinne Virginie Loupien.
66
19. Robert Damon Warner.
MARRIAGES RECORDED IN 1911.
January
1. Joseph John Larkin of Williamsburg. Hazel Mary Lynch of Williamsburg.
66
24.
Evangeline Kitson.
13. Francis Edward Brazill.
2. Mary Mwrawski.
31
March
1. Charles Edwin Evans of Springfield. Elizabeth Hague Elder of Williamsburg.
29. Athanus J. Papademetriou of Williamsburg Olga G. Karamaropoulou of Ludlow.
1. Edmund F. Tillson of Hartford, Ct. Almeda F. Prentiss of Williamsburg.
16. Raymond G. Bradford of Williamsburg. Helen M. Warner of Williamsburg.
June
27. William H. Hannum of Easthampton. Rose E. Sylvester of Williamsburg.
27. Wilfred J. Duplisse of Williamsburg. Grace Vanslet of Northampton.
July
2. Wladislaw Golas of Williamsburg. Bronistawa Bulock of Williamsburg.
14. William C. Devlin of Williamsburg. Flora S. Vollinger of Northampton.
August
7. Anton Kostek of Williamsburg. Klemyntyna Ozga of Amherst.
September
1. Rufus E. Miner of Williamsburg. Effie Louise Culver of Williamsburg.
5. George Albert Moore of Cambridge. Bertha Louise Thresher of Cambridge.
6. James H. MacNaughton of Belmont. Ruby M. Thresher of Williamsburg.
14. James Henry Shaw of Springfield. Frances Louise Belcher of Springfield.
18. Joseph Misorski of Williamsburg. Anna Cydlowski of Williamsburg.
25. Stephen Vondolosky of Williamsburg. Vonda Micolasky of Williamsburg.
October
18. Robert Page Emrick of Williamsburg. Jennie Lavina Tennyson of Chestertown, N. Y.
April May
32
October
23. Mark Taradyna of Williamsburg. Maryana Keztewska of Williamsburg.
25. Caleb D. Allen of Whately. Bessie M. Codding of Williamsburg.
November 6. Kostantz Moraz of Williamsburg. Honorata Perezak of Williamsburg.
13. John Stefanin of Williamsburg. Ceslaus B. Ratanska of Northampton.
13. Frank Wilynski of Williamsburg. Margarita Mortski of Williamsburg.
15. Nelson H. Damon of Williamsburg. Jannette Williams of Williamsburg.
29. Patrick Joseph Murray of Williamsburg. Gertrude D. Latham of Northampton.
DEATHS RECORDED IN 1911.
DATE. NAME.
AGE. Jan. 4. James M. Foster, 79 yrs.
20. Willard Williams,
65 yrs. 6 mos. 20 days.
Feb. 3. Louis Miller, 62 yrs. 5 mos.
24. John W. Belcher, 84 yrs. 2 mos. 16 days.
Mar. 5. Paraskive Gravas, 27 yrs.
11. George Prastes,
20 yrs.
15. David Larkin,
22 yrs. 0 mos. 9 days.
15. Chauncey W. Fay,
72 yrs. 7 mos. 7 days.
17. Myron Ames,
April 6. Stephania Zebrowsky,
11. Emeline J. Ames,
13. Alexander Vondeski,
27. Emily Stoughton,
79 yrs. 9 mos. 17 days. 2 mos. 6 days. 70 yrs. 2 mos. 4 mos. 91 yrs. 11 mos. 2 days. 76 yrs.
May
16. James Mansfield, Sr.,
17. Thomas J. Walsh,
51 yrs.
18. William Perry Hager,
36 yrs. 4 mos. 14 days.
29. Edward Lyman Hill,
84 yrs. 4 mos. 7 days.
June
2. Mary Plevka,
1 yr.
4. Celina Garrett, 55 yrs.
33
June 10. Silence Hall Adams,
87 yrs. 2 mos. 11 days.
11. William Cowing, 24 yrs. 3 mos. 13 days.
28. Stella Roula Caryofilles, 9 days. July 9. Abbie Porter Everett,
70 yrs. 5 mos. 7 days.
21. Joseph A. Packard,
20 yrs. 7 mos. 8 days.
Aug. 24. Ignatius Zisk,
2 mos. 4 days.
24. Lucy Lee Rising,
63 yrs. 5 mos. 5 days.
Sept. 4. John F. Quinn,
41 yrs.
12. John Sullivan,
56 yrs.
25. Cyrenthia E. Spear,
77 yrs. 7 mos. 22 days.
Oct. 12. Electa Wait,
98 yrs. 1 mo. 28 days.
27. Frank C. Richards,
56 yrs. 7 mos. 6 days.
Nov. 6. Jeremiah E. Miner,
71 yrs. 5 mos. 10 days.
Dec. 11. Myra P. Goodhue, 90 yrs. 6 mos. 18 days.
10. Charles May Ives, 65 yrs. 9 mos. 14 days.
Number of Hunters' Licenses issued in 1911, 109. Amount received in fees for same, $16.35.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY W. HILL, Town Clerk.
3
Report of Library Trustees.
The Trustees of the Haydenville Public Library make the following report :
There have been 127 new books purchased during the last year and have received about fifty old books, given by the Springfield library.
There are now 1,922 books catalogued this year, with about a hundred people who take books from the library. There have been no books rebound this year, that work having been thoroughly done two years ago. The much- needed repairs on the inside of the building have been made. Another year the foundation of the building needs to be repaired.
The appropriation of $200.00 is just the amount needed for the purchase of books, care of the building, and needed repairs for the maintenance of the library.
The financial report is as follows :
Paid W. M. Purrington, insurance, $13 09
G. M. Bradford, 5 75
F. W. Warner, labor, 15 87
A. T. Peterson,
70
Thomas H. Ives, services,
20 00
Martha Marks,
10 00
J. T. Downer, painting,
9 00
Bridgman & Lyman, books,
108 27
Sundries, 5 75
$188 43
35
AVAILABLE FOR LIBRARY.
Town Appropriation,
$200 00
Received for fines,
3 75
$203 75
Balance unexpended, $15 32
GEORGE M. PAGE,
THOMAS H. IVES,
Trustees,
LIZZIE PURRINGTON,
S
Water Commissioners' Report.
RECEIPTS.
Balance cash on hand, last report, $737 13 Received for water rent, 2,728 92
66 . 66 (hydrants and
water tanks), 5 00
" service connections,
391 50
66 interest on deposits, 21 93
appropriation for High St. and
Myrtle Ave. extensions,
1,107 13
$5,486 61
EXPENDITURES.
Paid Lawrence Molloy, mileage and wit- ness fees, $22 76
George A. Thresher, mileage and witness fees, 10 50
R. D. Ames, mileage and witness fees, 10 01
C. R. Damon, 15 08
J. W. Hill, 66 66 134 58
F. A. Brooks,
66
66
134 58
W. M. Purrington, mileage and witness fees, 38 63 A. S. Hills, mileage and witness fees, 121 71 A. S. Hills, labor on service trench, 1 05 C. K. Darling, for copies of wit- ness certificates, 1 50
37
Paid Jesse F. Wells, damage to horse from blasting, $2 00
P. J. Murphy, plumbing and labor, 251 22
George A. Thresher, labor and lumber, 21 50
H. G. Hill Co., for labor on Wil- liams St. extension, 2 40
H. W. Graves, for labor, 2 00
for curb boxes, 16 60
Norwood Engineering Co., for galvanized iron pipe, hydrant, and gate boxes, 105 44
H. S. Gere & Sons, for advertising, 1 50
Wm. Chadwick, for blacksmithing, 1 95
freight on iron pipe, 29 20
R. D. Wood & Co., for 4-in. iron pipe, 206 97
Frank Cowing, for labor, 1 75
A. Bailey,
6 50
telegram to R. D. Wood & Co,
79
F. A. Brooks, expressage,
1 50
Albert Allaire, labor,
3 90
Miss Susie Cranson, for typewriting, 4 75
O. L. Davis, inspector, 44 00 66 66 inspecting plumbing, 5 00
John M. Dineen, for laying pipe on High St. and Myrtle Ave., 537 25 The Haydenville Co., bills ren- dered to August, 1911, 242 75
W. M. Purrington, collecting wa- ter rent, postage, etc., 18 06
E. E. Davis, surveys and plans of High St. and Myrtle Ave. ext., 25 00
E. E. Davis, surveys and plans of Village Hill extension, 16 60
Thayer Mfg. Co., labor, 5 00
freight on curb boxes, 1 96
for labor on Hosford extension, 105 37
38
Paid for bill heads, $3 00
George Thresher, for labor at reservoirs, 17 04
George Thresher, for care of res- ervoirs, 25 00
for stamped envelopes,
4 33
N. Y., N. H. and H. R. R. Co., labor at Hosford's crossing, 2 86
George H. Warner, for labor, 5 00
H. W. Hill, Treasurer, 3,000 00
Balance cash on hand, 278 02
$5,486 61
F. A. BROOKS, A. S. HILLS, J. W. HILL,
Water Commissioners.
Report of School Committee.
FOR YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 1, 1912.
We hereby submit our annual report. This includes reports of Superintendent, Music Teacher, Truant Officer and Committee.
ANNUAL REPORT.
The High Schools have been in session forty (40) weeks and the others thirty-six (36).
We are happy to say that we have done better than last year and have kept within the appropriation and have some three hundred dollars left by hard work and leaving some things undone and will need as much for another year.
NEEDED REPAIRS.
Water put in Skinnerville room and metal ceiling on two more of Haydenville Center rooms and one or more of the Williamsburg Center rooms need new seats and desks, some of which should be done next year.
T. F. DUNPHY, H. N. GODDARD, GEO. H. WARNER.
Superintendent's Report.
To the School Committee of Williamsburg, Mass .:
GENTLEMEN :- The annual report of the Superintendent of Schools is herewith presented for your consideration and approval.
The same number of schools as last year has been con- tinued and all have been taught by competent and efficient teachers, the work has progressed steadily, smoothly and satisfactorily.
There is no time but what it is possible to make im- provement in some direction, since like other interests the schools are presumed to progress and adapt themselves to the requirements of the times, and it has been the desire of the authorities to keep informed about all progressive movements, judge as to their value when locally applied, and endorse and utilize them, when determined valuable and reasonable, as far as conditions will permit.
But one change in the corps of teachers was made in September, a very unusual and almost remarkable record, showing emphatically that the citizens have confidence in their teachers and believe in retaining those tried and proved good when possible.
The change referred to above was made necessary by the resignation of Principal O'Shea of the Haydenville High- Grammar School. The Committee made every possible attempt to retain him, but at the salary paid it is almost impossible to keep a teacher of his ability for longer than one year. Of course this is a constant menace to the value
41
of the school, as has been abundantly proved by past expe- rience, but in a town with the large expenses of this it can hardly be expected that we can enjoy perfect conditions. The Committee feel that it was extremely fortunate in the selection of his successor and the work of the school has gone on in the most satisfactory manner. Under the ener- getic, wise and efficient management of the present princi- pal, cordially assisted by the other teachers who thor- oughly understand the needs of the schools and the char- acter of the pupils, the Haydenville schools have become as near a model of successful discipline, thorough instruc- tion and dilligent application to performance of duty as can be expected under present circumstances.
The Williamsburg Center schools have been equally fortunate in their teachers and are doing good work. The spirit of mischief-making and disturbance which was occa- sionally in evidence during the first part of the year seems to have been overcome, and the pupils are applying them- selves to their duties well. The out schools have also been good and profitable and hardly interrupted by illness at all, save in the case of the Searsville School, which was closed two weeks owing to the prevalence of mumps. The manner in which this disease was brought into the school serves to emphasize the need of most careful medical inspection and the immediate reporting of all suspicious cases of illness to the school physician. The continuance of the school in the Staab Building appears to be wise and beneficial to all concerned. It has so equalized the work that the pupils are receiving more individual attention than was possible before. The change made in the grades of the High School appears to be warranted by results, but hardly sufficient time has elapsed to report with cer- tainty on the real merits of the present plan.
The Town has failed to receive from the State thousands of dollars because of a technicality in the compliance with the requirements of the law and, although really giving our pupils better advantages than some schools receiving State aid, we have actually been fined for so doing. By
42
the present arrangement this technicality has been over- come, but there is doubt as to whether we shall receive the aid ; if we do not, it is an open question as to our ability to continue the present arrangement. More work is being done in the school than before, and it seems probable that we may soon complete the High School course in town and avoid the expense of sending pupils to other schools.
There is some complaint, and with reason, by the teach- ers of the higher grades that many of the children are expected to devote so much time to entertainments of various kinds which calls for late hours at night that it interferes with their duties in school. This may not be general, but it is probably true in many cases that the fag and weariness so often noticed is not the result of over- work in the schoolroom.
The School Industrial Club formed last year has proved a very successful organization. There is a good member- ship, and the exhibit given in the Town Hall was large and excellent, proving that our pupils are able to make a good showing in industrial activities and evidencing the possibilities of systematized training along this line. The attendance on the exhibit and the evening address by Professor Hart of the Massachusetts Agricultural College was large and appreciative. The speaker strongly compli- mented the work done and the spirit of interest shown. It is very evident that our townspeople believe in this instruc- tion and recognize it as a legitimate function of the com- mon schools. The instruction in music has been continued under the supervision of Miss Larkin, and the public has had opportunity to judge of results as shown in the singing of the pupils at public and other entertainments. Special attention is called to the full and interesting report of the Supervisor following this.
The instruction in drawing has also been continued in the Haydenville schools, and though this is paid for from a private fund, yet the report of the teacher is of interest to all and is appended to this.
The Committee introduced into the central schools, for a
43
portion of the fall and winter terms, systematic instruction in sewing. This was done with the desire and for the pur- pose of ascertaining the value of such a course, the charac- ter of the work done by the pupils and to obtain an expres- sion of the citizens regarding it. Several lessons were given and all the girl pupils above fourth grade were included in the classes. So far as can be ascertained at present, the teachers, parents and pupils are generally pleased with the plan, and there appears to be a strong desire to have it made a permanent part of the school course.
It is equally desirable that some instruction of like nature be given the boys, but it seems difficult to arrange for it at present. Sometime it is hoped that proper appli- ances for industrial training can be afforded. Classes in penmanship and drawing for the boys were taught by Principal Larkin and Miss Nichols at Williamsburg during the time of the sewing lessons.
A class of four completed the course of the High School, three of whom are now attending the Northampton High School. The closing exercises held in the Town Hall on the evening of June 30, 1911, were of usual excellence and attended by a large number of citizens. All the parts were taken excellently and the essays were of great merit. The music by members of the school under the direction of Miss Larkin was greatly appreciated and added much to the pleasure and interest of the occasion. The address by Mr. C. W. King was one of the best and very helpful and interesting.
With the exception of the High School course little change in the curriculum has been made. Too frequent changes tend to disconnect work and create uncertainty and confusion of both teachers and pupils. The general course as now formulated is, in effect, the same as gener- ally adopted in schools of like character. It is true that changes, and some quite radical, might possibly be made to advantage, but it must be remembered that such cannot well be inaugurated in any individual community without
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probable injustice to those intending to enter other schools. The higher schools practically determine the character of the courses in those of lower grade and any material de- parture from them places the pupils at a disadvantage when seeking admission to such higher schools. The present course might be extended by the addition of several requirements which would not conflict with a preparation for other courses and prove of advantage to many who may not be able to secure more than a common school education. These will probably come as soon as conditions will permit.
A very encouraging indication of increased interest in our schools during the past year has been the intelligent, reasonable and helpful criticisms made. This shows a real appreciation of the worth of our schools and a desire to increase their efficiency and give helpful aid. Such criti- cisms are ever welcome to those in authority and should be much more frequent than they are. No person is infal- lible in educational matters and all may make mis- takes because of imperfect knowledge of conditions, and no really competent person will object to intelligent criti- cism ; mere fault-finding based on personal prejudice or fancied injury, or by persons totally unable to judge cor- rectly of matters about which they can possibly know little is entirely a different matter. The parents especially should be free to consult with the school officials at any time and thus make known to them circumstances which they are not knowing to because of difficulty in ascertain- ing them, or suggest such things as seem for the good of
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