USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Town annual report of Quincy 1880 > Part 5
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MILTON.
Cook, Artemas, 3 96
Field, Josiah, 99
Littlefield, Samuel, est. of, 5 61
Simmons, Sylvanus, I 32
Webster, Hannah R., 12 54
Carried forward,
$7,900 35
Brought forward, $7,900 35
NATICK.
Allen, Joel, 4 62
NEWTON.
Chapin, Eliphas, 2 64
Ray, Edwin,
3 30
PLYMOUTH.
Howard, C. C.,
36 96
RANDOLPH.
Howard, Edgar, 2 97
Capen, D. B.,
18 48
SOMERVILLE.
Hadley, Benj.,
I 65
WEYMOUTH.
Smith, Darius, 3 96
Smith, Dana, 7 26
Sawtelle, --
66
WALTHAM.
Dolan, John W.,
66
Adams, Frank A.,
I 65
$7,985 16
98 ABATEMENTS FOR 1879.
Anderson, Charles, I 77
Brought forward, $200 58
Adams, Ebenezer, 3 96
Edward, I 77
- Augustus, I 77
Fitzgerald, Patrick, est. of, 6 60 Furnald, N. B., I 98
Bates, C. F. & Co., 54 45
Bolin, Valentine,
I 77
Follen, Patrick, I 77
Bowen, Jerry, I 77
Fish, Benjmin F., I 77
Butler, John J., I 77
Fogg, - I 77
Burke, John, 2d,
I 77
Follen, --
I 77
Brown, W. F.,
1 77
Ford, Dennis,
I 77
Bryam, John, I 77
Farnum, Luther,
I 77
Baxter, Daniel S., 13 20
Galloway, James, est. of,
6 60
Berry, Joseph F., 26 40
Gallagher, Mary,
6 60
Bosworth, Noah, Mrs., 14 85
Garrity, John & Philip,
I 77
Cochlin, Dennis, 3 60
Glover, Julia E.,
5 28
Cochlin, Arthur, est. of, 13 20
Gulliver, Sarah E., 3 96
Claflin, R. F., 6 60
Gurney, Thomas, I 32
Cudworth, Urbane, est. of, 5 28
Garrity, Michael, est. of,
6 00
Cain, Louis H.,
3 96
Gannett, Howard, 3 96
Conley, Edward,
I 77
Colson, Augustus, I 77
Connors, Wm.,
I 77
Conway, John,
I 77
Guptill, John C., I 77
Collins, John, I 77
Grady, John, I 77
Costain, Wm.,
I 77
Hernan, Michael, est. of, 3 96
Corthell, S. N.,
I 77
Holmes, N. B., Jr., I 32
Cunningham, John, I 77
Hart, Ann, I 32
Chance, Charles,
I 77
Hardwick, B. C. C., 107 37
Callahan, Jeremiah,
1 77
Hernan, Peter J.,
I 77
Chesley, Charles E.,
I 77
Collins, J. J., 2 31
Drake, John E., .
13 20
Hartney, John, I 77
Dillon, James, I 77
Hanson, W., I 77
Denward, John,
I 77
Harris, John, 2d, I 77
Elcock, James H.,
2 40
Herow, Joseph, I 77
Carried forward, $200 58
Gallagher, John, I 77
Gavin, William, 2d, I 77
Gorman, James, I 77
Hardwick, Charles, est. of, 46 20
Carried forward, $434 91
99
Abatements for 1879, continued.
Brought forward, $434 91
Brought forward, $624 62
Herow, Lewis, I 77
Hickey, Kenneth, I 77
Mulligan, Wm., I 77
McGilvray, James, I 77
McGilvray, Daniel, I 77
McInness, Neil, I 77
Holmes, Charles M., I 77
- -, Joseph, I 77
Hunt, Charles R., I 77
Mc Mahan, Thomas,
I 77
Jones, John O., IO 56
McKeon, Michael, I 77
Johnson, June, 2 43
-, George,
Kelly, James, est. of, 14 26
Kent, Abby R., 33 00
Lapham, F. A., est. of, 4 78
Lacy, Barry & Carey, 2 64
Nason, Charles H., I 77
Lary, Caroline, 3 30
Newcomb, Lewis, I 77
Lamb, T. J., 1 32
Nelson, Andrew G., I 77
Lovell, L. W. 13 20
Nolan, George, I 77
Litchfield, Edwin M., I 77
Nott, Francis L., I 77
Lennon, James, I 77
O'Keefe, John, I 77
O'By, Trafley, I 77
Morse, Joseph C., 13 20
Mitchell, Samuel, IO 56
McDonnell & Cook,
I 32
Pratt, Thomas, heirs of, 13 20
Powell, Alfred S., I 77
Phillips, Geo. S., I 77
Poore, E. H. & F. W., I 77
Quailey, Wm., I 77
Murphy, John, I 77
Randlett, Nancy, 6 60
McLoud, Murdock, I 77
Robertson, J. W.,
. 66 00
Rogers, Horace G., est. of, 6 60
Rich, Benjamin, 3 96
Merthyr, Owen, I 77
Merritt, Charles, I 77
Owens, Patrick,
I 77
Perkins, E. A., 6 60
Murphy, John, est. of, 2 64
Mahoney, Daniel, est. of, 13 86
Murphy, Garret, est. of, 13 20
Meserve, W. P. F., 13 20
McGrail, Peter, I 32
Robinson, A. M., Mrs., I 32
Murphy, John, 2nd, I 77
Mayhall, David J., I 77
Reform Club, Trustees of, 30 36 Ray, Elizabeth, 18 48
Carried forward, $624 62 Carried forward, $841 31
Horan, Cornelius, I 77
Hall, John, 2nd, 8 37
Holton, Henry T., I 77
Moriarty, --- , I 77
- I 77
Newcomb, Isaac T., est. of, 6 60 Nightingale, Geo., est. of, 13 20 Newcomb, James, 6 60
Lennon, John, I 77
100
Abatements for 1879. concluded.
Brought forward, $841 31
Brought forward, $942 44
Richards, J. A., I 77
Taylor, Edmund B., IO 56
Roome, George, I 77
Thomas, Lizzie J., 12 21
Roberts, Thomas,
I 77
Turner, Isaac W.,
I 77
Roach, Joseph, I 77
Tuck, Abiathar,
3 96
Rowell, G. B., I 77
Tirrell, John,
I 77
Soule, Sumner, est. of,
8 37
Vinal, Sarah, 72 60
Samuels, Emanuel,
13 20
Spear, Charles H.,
IO 56
Shea, Dennis,
1 32
Sullivan, Patrick,
I 19
Sullivan, Michael J.,
53
Walsh, John, I 77
Weston, Fred.,
I 77
Stetson, Amos, I 32
Wild, Henry,
I 77
Sullivan, Eugene, est. of, 16 29
Woodbury, Caleb,
I 77
Sunderland, La Roy, I 77
Wren, John,
I 77
Scannell, Michael,
I 77
Whitcomb, Noah L., I 77
Sullivan, John,
I 77
Sullivan, P. J.,
I 77
Wheeler, B. F.,
I 77
Smith,
I 77
Wiley, James R.,
I 77
Smith, James,
I 77
Waterhouse, Seth T., I 77
Shackley, Geo. W.,
I 77
Usher, Mark,
I 77
Taylor, G. W. B.,
II 61
Carried forward,
$942 44
$1,140 43
Van Goff, Evart, I 77
Wentworth, Emeline, IO 56
Whicher, Relief, 47 52
Wollaston Land Co., 15 80
Smith, H. F., est. of,
15 50
White Fidele, I 77
WOODWARD FUND.
CASH ACCOUNT.
DR.
To cash on hand, Feb. 1, 1879,
$620 60
Interest on Portland Water Co. bonds, 480 00
6 66
scrip, 44 00
660 00
66
Loans secured by mortgage,
to Town of Quincy,
132 10.
City of Lynn bonds,
180 00
66 Cambridge bonds, 180 00
66
Boston 200 00
60
66 Cleveland
140 00
66
Old Colony Railroad bonds, 120 00
66
Ogdensburg & Lake Cham- plain Railroad bonds, 120 00
Dividend Nat'l Mt. Wollaston Bank, 84 00
Rent from Peter Butler, 1,000 00
sundry persons and salt grass sold, 190 50
Dividend on policy of insurance expired, 34 83
To Portland Water Co., scrip, 552 00
Town of Quincy, two notes, 5,700 00 ·
$ 11,000 U.S. bonds, 11,488 75
$23,067 02
Amount carried forward,
$23,067 02
(10I)
..
U.S. bonds,
1,140 24
IO2
Woodward Fund, continued.
Amount brought forward,
$23,067 02
CR.
By Loan to town of Quincy, $8,700 00
· $5000 Boston & Lowell Railroad bonds, 5,025 00
Accrued interest on same, 15 98
$ 5000 Pawtucket, R.I. bonds,
5,325 00
Accrued interest on same, 79 86
Loan on mortgage,
2,000 00
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Co., rent of safe, 20 00
D. H. Roche, repairs on house,
135 84
W. H. French,
12 75
D. H. Roche,
66
dam,
8 00
Sundry persons, "
fence and material, 27 23
Tax on real estate,
339 93
Advertising farm to let,
10 50
Jos. T. French, advertising and services as auctioneer, 5 00
Expenses, 100 00
Balance on hand, 1,261 93
-- $23,067 02
STATEMENT OF THE FUND, FEBRUARY 1, 1880.
Personal property received from estate of
Dr. Woodward, per appraisement, $30,089 83
Received from sale of land, 18,743 02
pews,
120 00
Income account, 36,981 58
85,934 43
Less Profit and Loss account,
1,045 00
- $84,889 43
.
103
Woodward Fund, continued.
INVESTED AS FOLLOWS : -
8 Bonds Portland Water Co., $1,000 each,
at appraisement, $8,000 00
6 Vt. & Canada Railroad, $ 500 each, at appraisement, 3,030 00
5
66 Vt. Central Railroad, $1,000 each, at appraisement, 4,000 00
6
66 Hartford & Erie Railroad, $ 1,000 each, at appraisement, 2,520 00
Loans secured by mortgage,
29,475 00
66 to town of Quincy, 7,000 00
14 Shares Nat'l Mt. Wollaston bank, 2,100 00
2 Bonds, City of Cleveland, $ 1,000 each,
2,060 00
3
3
66
Lynn, 3,285 00
5 Town of Pawtucket, R.I. $1,000 each, 5,325 00
2
66 Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain Railroad, $ 1,000 each, 2,000 00
2
66
Old Colony Railroad, $ 1,000 each, 2,047 50 Boston & Lowell, Railroad,
5
$ 1,000 each, 5,025 00
1,261 93
Cash deposited in bank,
- -- $84,889 43
HORACE B. SPEAR, Treasurer.
-
66
4 Boston, $ 1,000 each, 4,430 00
" Cambridge, $ 1,000 each, 3,330 00
104
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF SINKING FUND.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Quincy, Mass.
The following report of the Treasurer of the Sinking Fund will show the disposition of the sum received from the Town of Quincy, October 4th, 1879, by the Commissioners.
This amount was received at the earliest practicable date and at once invested. No interest at this time is due.
1
Respectfully submitted,
CHAS. F. ADAMS, JR., A. B. PACKARD, R. F. CLAFLIN,
COMMISSIONERS OF THE SINKING FUND.
Quincy, Feb. 4th, 1880.
CASH ACCOUNT.
To appropriation by Town, $3,000 00.
$3,000 00
CR.
By loan on mortgage, $3,000 00
$3,000 00
Dated Oct. 15th, 1879.
HORACE B. SPEAR, Treasurer.
MOUNT WOLLASTON CEMETERY.
As required by the By-Laws, the Board of Managers of the Mount Wollaston Cemetery submit their sixth annual report.
Twenty-one lots have been sold the past year, for which the sum of $210 has been received. Also received for the cost of grading the same $315. There has been charged for labor done on lots, and for plants, &c., furnished by direction of the owners, $688.25, of which sum $507,75 has been collected, leaving $180.50 due. The total amount of labor account is $1,003.25.
The Repair Fund has been increased by $400, making the total amount of said Fund $700, the income of which will secure " perpetual care" care for eight lots.
Quite extensive repairs have been made on the Receiving Tomb, which had become somewhat unfit for its purpose, from leakage. The covering was relaid, and filled with stone laid in cement, and the whole made perfectly tight and secure, and it is now in good condition, probably for many years.
The town suffered a loss the past year by the destruction by fire of the "Tool House," and also nearly all the tools used in the Cemetery, a good and complete supply. A new building has been erected, much superior to the old one in convenience and appearance, and in a far better location, and the tools re- placed in part. This has been done out of the usual appropria- tion and income, neither is any extra appropriation to be asked for; but in view of these unusual expenditures, which have reduced the amount of labor done for other improvements, and also in view of large repairs required on the fence, on the northerly side of the Cemetery, possibly the rebuilding of the same, the Managers respectfully ask the Town to make an ap- propriation of $1000 for the ensuing year.
(8 Q.)
(105)
106
FINANCIAL.
Cash on hand, Feb. 1, 1879,
$527 59
Appropriation for 1879,
800 00
Collected for lots sold,
210 00
for labor on lots,
822 75
from non-resident owners (assess- ments),
62 00
for hay sold,
10 00
for income of the Repair Fund, 18 00
66 for unpaid bills of 1877, 10 00
66
1878,
55 00
-$2,515 34
Expended as appears by the Selectmen's account, 2,033 67
Balance of cash to new account,
$481 67
Due from owners of lots for labor,-
1873 to 1878 inclusive,
$262 50
1879 as per report,
180 50
Total,
$443 00
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN CHAMBERLIN, Chairman, GEORGE L. GILL, Secretary.
QUINCY, Feb. 2, 1880.
ENGINEER'S REPORT.
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN. :
Gentlemen, - In accordance with the usual custom, the Chief Engineer submits his report for the year ending February Ist, 1880.
FORCE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
The Department at present is under the control of a Chief Engineer and six Assistants, and consists of three suction engines with hose jumpers attached, two four-wheeled hose car- riages, one hose pung (new), one relief hose jumper, one hook and ladder truck, and one chemical engine, all of which are in good condition, and manned by 215 volunteers. Also, a Blake steam pump, with Herreschoff boiler attached, to which are con- nected 2,500 feet of six-inch iron water pipe, which supplies six hydrants.
HOSE.
There is belonging to the Department 3,500 feet of cotton hose, 1,500 feet of which are fair, 1,900 feet poor, and 200 feet condemned. Also 200 feet of linen and 250 feet of leather hose, both of which lots are useless for fire purposes.
Also 180 feet of rubber hose for the use of the chemical engine and 60 feet for the steam pump.
The number of feet of good hose in the Department is rapidly diminishing by constant wear, and the time has arrived when it must be renewed. The old adage, "In time of peace prepare for war," applies as well to the fire as the military service ; and if our Department is expected to successfully cope with a large fire in any portion of the town away from the line of hydrants on Hancock Street, it must be supplied with good hose and enough - at least 1,500 feet.
(107)
108
HOUSES.
The buildings of the Department are all in good condition inside, but all of the frame houses are in immediate need of out- side painting.
RESERVOIRS.
The reservoirs, 20 in number, are all in good condition. A new one in the South district has been constructed during the past season, the Town having appropriated $500 for the purpose. The Board of Engineers have approved bills for its construction to the amount of $320.82. There is a balance of $110.00 due Mr. Faunce, the contractor, making the entire cost $430.82.
EXPENDITURES.
At the Annual Meeting in March last, the Town appropriated $4,625 for the Department, from which expenditures have been made as follows : -
Pay-rolls of officers and members,
$2,525 00
Repairs of apparatus,
649 42
New apparatus,
403 36
Supplies and refreshments,
315 94
Building dam and repairing reservoir,
70 40
Fuel,
IIO 77
Land rents,
75 00
New fixtures, ware, &c.,
209 25
$4,359 14
Leaving an unexpended balance of $265 86.
SUGGESTIONS.
In compliance with the provisions of Section IV. of the Town By-laws, I have the honor to state that the Board of Engineers recommend an appropriation of $4,500 for the ensuing year.
I also repeat my opinion, expressed a year ago, that "the portion of the Town in which water-pipes are laid is now better protected from fire than it would be with two or more steam fire engines ;" and as the expense of laying pipes and hydrants is
109
about the same, or a trifle less, per foot as leading hose, I would recommend, with the advice of the Board of Engineers, that the pipes be extended in a southerly direction through School Street to Franklin Street, and continued in a northerly direction to the junction of Hancock and Adams Streets, and also through Cot- tage Avenue and Foster Street to Washington. The Board of Engineers also recommend the purchase of a new hook and ladder truck; also a chemical engine, to be located at North Quincy ; and the construction of a reservoir at the junction of Contest Avenue and Atlantic Street.
REMARKS.
I again congratulate my fellow-citizens, through you, upon the passage of another year with a remarkable immunity from fires.
My thanks are due your honorable Board for the courtesy shown on all occasions ; also to my associates on the Board of Engineers for their support and assistance ; and, last but not least, to the officers and members of the Department for the prompt, able and willing manner with which they have responded when called npon.
Respectfully submitted, with a list of the officers of the several companies comprising the Department, and a schedule of Town property in charge of each ; also a list of fires and alarms that have occurred since the first of February, 1879.
JOHN W. HALL, Chief Engineer Q. F. D.
BOARD OF ENGINEERS.
JOHN W. HALL, Chief. JOHN A. DUGGAN, Clerk.
" ASSISTANT ENGINEERS.
Patrick F. Lacy, Joseph W. Hayden, John A. Duggan,
William C. Seelye,
Thomas H. McDonnell, Joseph M. Glover.
IIO
TIGER ENGINE Co., No. 2. Organized 1844. House on School Street. Whole number of members, 50.
Foreman, Lewis G. Mackintire.
Ist Assistant Foreman, Edward Powers ; 2d Assistant Foreman Thomas Donlin ; Clerk, John Swithin ; Standing Committee, John H. Dee, John A. Green, J. J. Sullivan ; Treasurer, Robt. J. Williams ; Steward, Peter Williams.
List of town property in charge of company : one engine and hose jumper, 550 feet of hose, I set runners, 12 spanners and belts, I wrench, 4 lanterns, 7 tables, I jack, 2 stoves, 9 spittoons, 7 chairs, 4 benches, 8 settees, 7 lamps, 6 curtains, 2 boilers, I desk, 4 rubber coats, 48 bowls, 32 plates, 107 spoons.
GRANITE ENGINE Co., No. 3. Organized 1844.
House on Copeland Street. Whole number of members, 50. Foreman, William B. Barry.
Ist Assistant Foreman, Patrick J. Kelly ; 2d Assistant Fore- man, John H. Ryan ; Clerk, John G. Woddick ; Standing Com- mittee, John E. Conner, Peter Barry, Christopher Barry ; Steward, Bernard Donaher.
List of town property in charge of company : one engine and hose jumper, I set runners, 600 feet of hose, 10 spanner belts and spanners, 4 fire hats, 2 jacks, 3 stoves, 4 benches, 8 settees, IO chairs, I table, 7 lamps, 4 rubber coats, I pair boots, 2 ladders, I pump, 50 feet rubber hose, 38 bowls, 40 spoons, 2 boilers, 4 lanterns, 6 curtains.
VULTURE ENGINE Co., No. 4. Organized 1844.
House on Washington Street. Whole number of members, 50. Foreman, Thomas F. Cleverly.
III
Ist Assistant Foreman, Elijah R. Bates ; 2d Assistant Fore- man, Josiah V. Packard ; Clerk, A. L. Mead ; Standing Com- mittee, Geo. O. Clapp, J. E. Packard, W. H. Packard ; Steward, Albert Parrott.
List of town property in charge of company : one engine and two hose jumpers, I set runners, 750 feet of hose, 4 wrenches, IO spanner belts and spanners, 2 stoves, I jack, I strainer, 4 lan- terns, 8 lamps, 8 cuspadores, 8 settees, 15 chairs, I desk, I step ladder, 5 rubber coats, I pump, 50 feet rubber hose, I extra rope, 2 boilers, 4 tables, 50 bowls, 50 mugs, 24 plates, 50 spoons, I center table.
FIREMAN'S AID (HOOK AND LADDER) Co., NO. I. Organized August 30, 1856. House on Canal Street. Whole number of members, 25. Foreman, John L. Maxim.
Assistant Foreman, Thomas E. Furnald ; Clerk, George W. Prescott ; Standing Committee, Charles S. French, Ensign S. Fellows, John W. Moore; Steward, John L. Maxim.
List of town property in charge of company : one hook and ladder carriage complete, I set runners, I Bangor ladder (50 feet), I wrench, 2 stoves, I jack, 3 lanterns, 3 Johnson pumps, 9 tables, 24 chairs, I chandelier, 15 lamps, 3 boilers, 68 mugs, 53 bowls, 2 rubber coats, 6 spittoons, 8 curtains, I I settees.
W. M. FRENCH HOSE Co., NO. I. Organized May 6, 1869.
House on Canal Street. Whole number of members, 20. Foreman, James E. Maxim.
Ist Assistant Foreman, Richard Newcomb, Jr. ; 2d Assistant Foreman, Asa A. Pope ; Treasurer, Gridley B. Totman ; Clerk, Jesse F. Curtis ; Standing Committee, E. W. Underwood, Asa A. Pope, Jesse F. Curtis ; Steward, Aubry R. Keith.
II2
List of town property in charge of company : two four-wheeled hose carriages, hose pung, 2000 feet of hose, 2 crotches, 4 John- son pumps, 14 spanners, 8 spanner belts, 2 lanterns, I jack, 5 wrenches, I table, 6 lamps, 20 chairs, 6 cuspadores, 2 stoves, 4 rubber coats, I squilgee.
L. W. LOVELL (CHEMICAL) ENGINE Co. Organized 1876.
House Wollaston Heights. Whole number of members, 20.
Foreman, Joshua D. Rollins.
Assistant Foreman, Israel Waterhouse ; Clerk, Charles T. Baker ; Steward, Albert G. Olney.
List of town property in charge of company : one chemical engine and hose carriage, 180 feet of hose, mallet, 3 coats, 4 chairs, I stove, I table, I wrench, I pair scales, 5 curtains, 3 lamps, 4 cuspadores, I thermometer, 3 ladders, 2 fire hats, 2 lan- terns.
STEAM PUMP AND BOILER. First operated Aug. 3, 1878.
House at junction of Hancock Street and Cottage Avenue.
Engineer, C. Edgar Tirrell.
List of town property in charge of the engineer : one Blake pump, one Herreschoff boiler, one Blake feed pump, I stove, and lot of tools.
There are also located at North Quincy in charge of engineer Duggan : one thirty foot ladder, one twenty-five foot hook lad- der, 2 water casks, and one large fire hook and cable.
In charge of the engineers : 7 fire hats and 8 rubber coats.
I13
A list of fires and alarms for the year ending Feb. I, 1880 : - 1879.
March II. - Dwelling house of John Jacobs, Pearl Street.
May 2. - Dwelling house of Mrs. F. D. Costeric, Pond Street.
May IO. - Stone shed of Lewis Dell, North Common.
June 3. - Dwelling house of Ebenezer Graves, Quincy Street.
Sept. IO. - Hen-house of John R. Graham, Washington Street.
15. - Dwelling house of Mrs. Foley, Sumner Street.
20. - Dwelling house of Mary Ryan, South Street.
« 29. -- Tool house and office, Mt. Wollaston Cemetery.
Dec. - - Hay stack of James Forrest, Hancock Street.
114
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NEW ALMS- HOUSE.
The Committee to which was referred the subject of location of New Almshouse and extension of Mt. Wollaston Cemetery, recommend that the Town purchase the Totman farm lying in the West District, for a sum not exceeding five thousand dol- lars ; also a tract of land adjoining said farm, belonging to the Hon. C. F. Adams, containing about five acres, at a price not to exceed two hundred dollars per acre. The two tracts of land will make, in the opinion of your committee, a very desirable location for an Almshouse.
Your Committee would further recommend that the Mt. Wol- laston Cemetery be extended eastward to include that tract of land now used by the Town for a Poor Farm.
EDMUND B. TAYLOR, WM. A. HODGES, JOHN Q. A. FIELD,
B. F. CURTIS, J. H. DEE,
Committee.
PUBLIC LIBRARY OF QUINCY.
THE Trustees of the Public Library ask leave to offer their Ninth Annual Report.
During the last year the library was open 304 days, and the whole number of books borrowed from it was 50,466; being about 3,800 more than in any previous year. In this number, moreover, no allowance is made for that portion of the circulation which takes place through the agency of the Grammar Schools of the town, and under the direction of the teachers. Includ- . ing this, the total circulation of the past year has not probably fallen short of 53,000 volumes.
The total expenses of the library for the year, of every description, were $2,678.31. It would, therefore, appear that the circulation of each volume issued in 1879 cost the town 5.31 cents ; as compared with 6.1 cents in 1878, 6.7 cents in 1877, and 7.5 cents in 1876,-showing a steady and gratifying decrease in cost, per volume circulated, of some 30 per cent. in the four last years. There are now no less than 4,110 names of borrow- ers registered on the books of the library.
As respects the character of the books circulated during the past year, it has not varied greatly from that of previous years ; nor does the experience of this library differ, in any important respect, from that of others. Works of fiction constitute nearly one-half of the circulation, and children's books a quarter of it. Books of history, biography, travels, and those relating to the arts and sciences, make up about one-half of the remainder. The reported division of the last three years has been as follows : -
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116
1879.
1878.
1877.
Fiction,
volumes,
23,909
22,24I
24,546
Juveniles,
12,812
12,264
IO,04I
Periodicals,
5,048
4,154
3,786
History,
2,153
1,722
1,778
General Literature,
1,205
1,385
1,237
Biography,
16
1,697
1,175
1,365
Travels,
66
1,454
1,296
1,160
Arts and Sciences,
66
1,197
1,286
1,145
Poetry,
574
608
555
Religious,
66
286
250
158
Medical and Educational, "
131
93
68
During the year 268 volumes, worn out in circulation, have been replaced ; and 395 volumes of new literature have been added to the library by purchase. In addition to the above, 134 volumes and 31 pamphlets have been given to the library, included in which was a complete set of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, in 32 volumes, for which valuable addition to its works of reference the town is indebted to Mr. S. E. Brackett.
The library is now supposed to contain about 12,000 volumes, besides some 1,200 pamphlets. The exact number of volumes cannot, however, be given, as a large portion of the public docu- ments belonging to the town, but almost never called for, are kept stored, in view of the very unsafe present position of the library as respects fire, and do not even appear in the printed catalogue, except by reference to the catalogues of other insti- tutions.
Altogether the library is believed to be in excellent working order. It is thoroughly catalogued and accessible, and complete enough for every practical purpose. It, of course, is not de- signed for the use of specialists, but, so far as the standard general literature of the English language is concerned, there are very few subjects in regard to which detailed information cannot be found upon its shelves. As regards the renewal of books worn out, the library is in reasonably satisfactory condi-
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tion, and there seems to be no reason to apprehend any excep- tional outlay on that account.
There are no bills outstanding and unpaid.
An appropriation of $2,200 is asked for to meet the regular and ordinary expenses of the library during the coming year ; the amount ($2,000) asked for and appropriated last year having proved insufficient to maintain the institution in the way to which our people are accustomed, and which it seems to the Trustees they have a right to expect.
The receipts and expenditures of the past year are set forth in the accompanying Report of the Treasurer.
CHARLES F. ADAMS, JR.,
HENRY BARKER,
H. A. KEITH,
L. W. ANDERSON,
WILLIAM S. PATTEE,
C. A. FOSTER,
Trustees.
ACCOUNT OF THE TREASURER OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR 1879.
Balance in treasury February 1, 1879, $289 53
Received of Town Treasurer, as per ap- propriation, 2,000 00
Received of Town Treasurer, as per Dog Tax Fund,
568 42
Received of Fines and Catalogues,
155 77
-$3,013 72
Disbursements.
For Books, .
$486 16
Services
1,164 74
" Stationery, 9 98
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