USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1848-1874 > Part 21
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14 43
Uncollected taxes of 1866,
100 90
66 66 1867,
2,915 24
3,030 57
Value of property in Liquor Agent's hands, (estimated,)
117 51
117 51
Value of security on house of C. M. Jenkins,
103 70
103 70
Due for aid to paupers,
54 85
54 85
" from sales of C. Peak's personal estate,
1 31
1 31
" for use of Town Hall,
13 50
13 50
" from State, for rent of Armory from Jan. 1, 1868,
$20 83
$20 83
" from State for State aid of 1864-5 and 6, 754 53
20
Due from State for State aid of Jan. 1, 1867, to March 1, 1867, $632 00 " from State for State aid from March 1, 1867, to Jan. 1, 1868, 1,150 00 " from State for State aid from Jan. 1, 1868, to March 1, 1868, 175 00 2,711 53
Amount of resources, $13,065 32
SUMMARY OF DEBTS.
From amount of Debts, $32,858 88
Take amount of Resources, 13,065 32
Balance, Debt of the Town, March 2, 1868,
$19,793 56
COMPARISON OF DEBTS OF 1867 AND 1868.
The debt, March 4, 1867, (excluding cost of 2d Cliff road, not then known) was estimated at $17,720 51
To this, add the cost of 2d Cliff road,
4,167 31
Add, also, excess of cost of repairing Little's Bridge, above estimate, 28 77
Amount of bill against the United States for trans- portation of volunteers (bill smothered), 8 75
And a bill for incidental School expenses, under estimated, 58
And the actual debt at that time, including the expense of the road, was $21,925 92
Deduct the amount of debt, March 2, 1868, 19,793 56
Balance, Decrease of Debt, $3,132 36
.
21
ESTIMATED EXPENSES FOR 1868.
The Town, at their meetings held in March, 1867, voted to raise the following sums of money, viz :
For support of Schools,. $3,000 00
" repairing of highways, 1,000 00
" contingent expenses, 9,300 00
Making the whole amount of the Town Grant, $13,300 00
To this must be added State and County taxes, amounting to $6,282.22, increasing the sum required to be raised by taxation to $19,582.22, and the rate of taxation to $1.85 per $100.00 of the valuation of the town, ($1,028,819).
This rate, though higher than had previously been known in Scituate, did not exceed the average rate of taxation in the State.
Of the whole rate of $1.85, the Town Grant and County tax required $1.372 and the State tax $0.472.
The State tax forming so important an element in estimating the probable rate of taxation, we applied to the proper authori- ty for information as to its amount, and have ascertained, that Scituate's proportion of the State tax of 1868, will not ex- ceed $2,000.00 ; it may be considerably less.
If, then, the Town raise no more money than the necessary expenses will require, the rate of taxation will be very much reduced from that of 1867, as will appear from the following estimate of expenses for 1868.
22
ESTIMATE.
For removing snow, (last year's expense, ) -
- $2,000 00
" incidental school expenses,
-
-
75 00
" support of the poor, -
-
-
- 1,600 00
" repairs of public buildings,
200 00
" repairs of roads and bridges,
500 00
" Town officers, -
-
-
400 00
" stationery and printing,
- 120 00
" abatement of taxes, -
350 00
" law expenses, - -
-
-
-
100 00
" miscellaneous, -
-
-
- 200 00
" Interest, -
-
-
-
- 1,900 00
" collection of taxes, -
-
-
- 140 00
Total for contingencies, -
- $7,585 00
For schools, -
- 2,800 00
Total Town grant, -
-
-
- $10,385 00
Add State tax, -
-
-
- 2,000 00
" County tax, - -
- 1,132 22
Total estimated amount to be raised by taxation, $13,517 22
which, allowing an overlay of $350.00, will require a rate of $1.22 per $100.00 of the valuation of the Town.
Should the Town raise more money for the repairs of high- ways, or other purposes, than here estimated, for every $1,000 so raised, an addition to the rate of 10 cents per $100.00 of valuation will be necessary.
The cost of removing snow last year having been paid, if the Town raise the $2,000.00 as recommended, the excess of that sum above the actual expense of removing snow in 1868, can be applied to the reduction of the Town debt.
GEORGE C. LEE, Selectmen of
FRANKLIN DAMON,
THOMAS TILDEN, Scituate.
Scituate, March 2, 1868.
-
-
-
-
- -
-
-
-
-
-
-
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REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Marriages registered in the Town of Scituate during the year 1867.
Date of Marriage.
NAMES.
Agc.
Residence of each at time of Marriage.
Birth-place.
Occupation.
1867. Jan. 13.
Richard Hoar, Catherine Ward,
27 94
Scituate,
Ireland. Boston.
Fisherman.
Jan. 16.
Charles H. Damon, Amanda Pratt,
27
Scituate,
Scituate. Cohasset.
Farmer.
Jan. 22.
George W. Packard, Ellen A. Litchfield,
23
Scituate,
E. Bridgewa'r. Scituate.
Mariner.
Feb. 26.
Nathaniel F. T. Hunt, Florence T. Allen, .
31 18
Weymouth, Scituate.
Weymouth. Scituate.
Merchant.
March 3.
John A. Merritt, Sarah A. Whitcomb,
40
Scituate, 66
Scituate. Ashburnham.
Farmer.
March 30. William G. Litchfield,
27
Scituate, Cohasset,
Scituate. Cohasset.
Shoe-cutter.
April 3.
Peleg F. Clapp, Mary L. Manson,
32 24
Boston, Scituate,
Scituate. 66
Mason.
April 30.
William H. Allen, Sarah H. Simmons,
23 19
New York City. Scituate,
Scituate. Boston,
Telegraph Oper- ator.
May 5.
John B. Damon, Ella A. Grover,
31 17
Scituate, Hingham,
Scituate. Hingham.
Shoemaker.
May 16.
Henry A. Seaverns, Mercy G. Litchfield,
26
Scituate,
Dorchester. Scituate.
Machinist.
May 21.
Gideon W. Young, Anjenette E. Perkins,
31 19
Brooklyn, N.Y. Scituate,
Scituate. Dedham.
Clerk.
June 2.
Francis C. Tower, Margarett E. Sloane,
19
Cohasset, Scituate,
Cohasset. Scituate.
Brakeman.
June 12.
Jolin Conroy, Catharine Ward,
34 29
Scituate, 66
Boston.
Fisherman.
June 20.
Marshall H. Litchfield, Abigail Turner,
59 47
Scituate, So. Scituate,
Scituate. So. Scituate.
Farmer.
July 9.
Noah B. Nichols, Mary T. Royce,
23
Scituate, Cuttingsville, [Vt.
Scituate. Cuttingsville, [Vt.
Sept. 1.
George M. Merritt, Harriet T. Ellis,
21
Scituate, 66
Scituate. 66
Mason.
Sept. 11.
Edmund Q. S. Litchfield, Ella Newcomb,
21 21
Scituate, 66
Scituate. 66
Boot-maker.
Nov. 6.
Freeman H. Gannett, Mary A. Bellows,
25
Scituate, 66
Scituate. Boston.
Miller.
Nov. 28.
Warren Hatch, Jr., Mabel N. Mott,
24
Ilingliam, Scituate,
Hingham. Scituate.
Shoe-stitcher.
Nov. 28.
Walter L. Damon, Lucy T. Mott,
20
Scitua'c, 66
Scituate. Scituate.
Boot-maker.
Nov. 28.
Thomas O. Hayden, Nancy Studley,
26 23
Cohasset, Scituate,
Cohasset. Scituate.
Blacksmith ;.
Dec. 17.
Sumner O. Litchfield, Salone A. Stoddard,
25 21
Scituate,
Scituate.
Farmer,
24
Cordelia S. Pratt,
19
27
21
29
Mason.
20
22
18
21
18
24
DEATHS
Registered in the Town of Scituate during the year 1867.
Age ..
Date of Death.
NAMES.
Yrs.
Mos.º
Ds.
1866. Dec. 18. Dec. 25. 1867.
Hannah P. Hodgkins.
39
5
24
Scituate. Charlestown.
Hemorrhage of Lungs.
Mary A. Collier.
56
. .
3
Jan. 3.
Edwin R. Gardner
.
12
Scituate.
Infantile. Consumption.
Jan. 12.
Martha C. Newcor.b
18
13
Jan. 17.
Rowland Litchfield.
80
5
11
Sudden.
Jan. 18.
Sarah C. Litchfield.
74
5
14
Disease of Heart.
Jan. 26.
Lizzie J. Taylor,
4
10
16
Diptheria.
Jan. 28.
Melvin T. Ward.
· ·
12
Cohasset.
Infantile.
Jan. 29.
Ann L. Gray
46
5
25
Marshfield.
Consumption.
Feb. 1.
Braddock Cole.
79
1
22
Scituate.
Sudden.
Feb. 10.
William J. Turner
3
8
4
66
Lung Fever.
March 1.
John H. Spencer
.
1
18
Dropsy of Brain.
March 4.
Betsey Wade.
84
. .
Disease of Kidneys.
March 16.
Jane Briggs ..
84
1
28
Old Age.
April 9.
1
1
26
Scituate.
Lung Fever.
May 1. .
Debby Merritt.
70
16
Chronic Diarrhea.
May 8.
Peter J. Bates.
55
4
28
Abscess.
June 13.
Gridley Bryant.
77
9
17
Apoplexy.
June 14.
Marietta C. Vinal
13
3
1
Disease of Brain. .
June 22.
Olivia A. Hunt,
37
9
25
Weymouth.
Consumption.
July 8.
Lewis Studley,.
75
S
18
Scituate. 66
Erysipelas.
July 16.
- Doherty
..
July 19.
74
1
9
Marlboro', N.H. Scituate.
Sudden.
Aug. 13.
Harvey Whitcomb.
8
10
Disease of Kidneys.
Aug. 25.
Maria Vinal ..
36
5
10
Lung Fever.
Aug. 29.
Marcus M. Damon.
37
1
13
Consumption.
Sept. 15.
Edward J. Toban.
5
8
7
Drowned.
Sept. 18.
Andrew J. Pool.
. .
1
Infantile.
Sept. 18.
Edwin J. Pool ..
1
Sept. 18.
29
5
15
Syphilis.
Oct. 3.
Wesley M. Bailey
4
5
20
Scituate.
Oct. 13.
Sara'ı Brown ...
91
1
S
Old Age.
Oct. 24.
Areanna E. Mott
18
9
24
Consumption.
Dec. 16.
Olive A. Spooner
33
2
Boston.
Disease of the Uterus .
Dec. 25.
Drusilla Curtis
60
2
2
Scituate.
Consumption.
7
Consumption.
March 17. Edwin Stoddard. Freddie L. Hunt
44
4
Hingham.
Dropsy.
July 23.
Nathaniel Wade.
81 52
9
25
Sept. 20.
Lyman E. Brown. John Vinal ...
69
3
. .
Cohasset.
Sudden. Dropsy of Brain.
JAMES L. MERRITT, Town Clerk.
Scituate, March 2, 1868.
Birth-place.
Discasc.
Cyrus Stone ..
·
66
FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
OF THE
TOWN OF SCITUATE,
FOR 1867-8.
SCHOOL REPORT.
GENTLEMEN OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :-
It again becomes my duty to present to you the annual re- port of the Superintendent of schools, it being the fifth since the establishment of that office.
Rev. William S. Heywood was elected Superintendent at the annual meeting of the committee, with an increase of salary that would enable him to devote considerable time to the duties of the office. It seemed fortunate that the services of a gen- tleman so competent could be thus procured ; but, about the middle of the year, just as he had fairly entered upon his work, he received and accepted a call to another field of labor, and his official connection with our schools was rather abruptly terminated.
It was only by the unanimous wish of the committee that I consented to undertake again, official duties of so responsible a character, the Rev. Mr. Sessions still declining the position. It is scarcely possible in a community like ours for any one to perform those duties faithfully without creating enemies ; and let the requirements of the law be fulfilled and the compensa- tion, as fixed at present, will not exceed a dollar a day. It is therefore necessary to feel considerable interest in the schools to undertake a labor like this.
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The committee again called Rev. Alexander J. Sessions to the chair, which he has filled so acceptably to them and the town, and George W. Merritt, Esq., was elected secretary.
PROSPEROUS SCHOOLS.
In the half dozen years that I have been connected with the schools of this place, I have known no year of such general prosperity with them as. the past. They have closed, with but few exceptions, under the happiest circumstances that could reasonably be expected, being generally in much better condi- tion the last day of the year than the first. This improvement is the evident result of the liberality of the town. It has en- abled the committee to retain many experienced teachers ; the teachers have felt like expending their best energies in return ; the whole system has moved forward cheerfully, and prosperity has put her floral crown upon the year.
This is but being generous to yourselves. Liberal school appropriations not only benefit your children, but add value to your houses and farms. "Good schools make good sales," say the real estate agents. "Churches and schools within five minutes' walk" are considerations which they are careful to fully advertise. It is a noteworthy fact that tenements are in greater demand in some of our best districts on account of their good schools.
CRITICISM OF TEACHERS.
According to our idea of propriety, criticism of teachers in the school report is a waste of time and paper. It was at- tempted a few years since, and certainly it was very trying to the writer, if not to the adjectives of our good language. About half the teachers had done very well ; and as something about this was to be put before the town, it became a question
29
whether we should say "a good school ; she has done well," in each instance, or, for the sake of variety, try to say the same thing by the use of synonyms. . The latter was attempted, and, as was expected, about a quarter of the teachers felt that the language was not sufficiently strong in their cases, and ac- cordingly were aggrieved; and, it is needless to add, that where the report was unfavorable, the language used was felt to be too strong.
And of what practical advantage is such criticism ? It ap- proaches retaliation when adverse, and is likely to be fulsome if favorable, without being able in the least degree to remedy the past. Criticism should fall direct' upon the fault as it ex- ists. The teacher will then feel that you are her friend, and de ire to help her. It should not even be made before the school, unless, indeed, the school is more responsible for the fault than the teacher. Whisper your criticisms, and they will be likely to do some good.
The question naturally follows : "Who shall criticise the teacher?" Those, only, who are appointed for that purpose by the town, I would answer. Half the battle would be won with a partially unsuccessful teacher if every one in the district were prudent in speech, looking alone to the committee to guide their teacher and school to greater prosperity. It always gives the committee pain and grave doubts of ultimate success; to hear of a teacher being denounced before her scholars, and par- ticularly because of the certainty of an evil effect upon the children themselves.
This disposition is an overgrowth of our democratic tenden- cies. In its workings, it is like the old Patriarchal govern- ment. A man claims exclusive control of his family, surren- dering nothing of government to the teacher, and demurring
30
· at any acts tending to discipline on her 'part. Under such a baleful influence, our glorious school system would soon crum- ble into ruins. It would be as fatal to it as that overgrowth of the doctrine of State rights, Secession, would be to our govern- ment, and is equally reprehensible. It should be checked wherever it may be creeping in. It will ruin your school and your family as well.
Support the teacher. When a teacher discovers that she has the warm sympathy of the parents, she does more work for them at a less cost to herself; and so, in the light of economy, it pays, and will continue to pay, like good interest money coming in, all through the lives of your children. All the fu- ture depends on educating the children of the present; and we can make it bright in prospect.
PARTICULAR REPORT.
The past winter has been one of the most unfavorable sca- sons for punctual attendance on record .. The attendance, how - ever, has been in several instances better than usual. Nearly half the scholars of the COMMON STREET school were not absent once the whole winter. Roll up the record, children ; we will stand back for you.
Beginning with the HIGH SCHOOL we find a very creditable register. Ten girls were present every day in the fall term, each of whom lived two miles, and several three, from the hall. MARTHA J. NEWCOMB has not been absent from school but one half day for three years, if we may except a week lost by de- layed promotion. Punctual scholars for one term : Ellen M. Young, Ellen M. Bailey, Hattie N. Bailey, Clara F. Brown, Han- nah E. Morris, Florence Orcutt, Josie A. Vinal, Priscilla J. Litchfield, Eugene W. Langdon and Frederick Cole. Punc- tual two terms : Emily Bates, Maria F. Vinal, and Frank B.
31
Allen. Punctual for two years, ANNIE F. ALLEN. After be- ing connected with this school for two years, Mr. Cook, on account of failing health and the need of rest, has felt obliged to tender his resignation. It was accepted with a feeling that we could hardly secure another man for the same money of such faithful and entire devotion to his work. The last two years have been among the very brightest in its varied history, and have firmly established it in the hearts of the people.
Passing to BROOK STREET, No. 1, another long list is pre- sented. The number of scholars in this school has been re- duced the last year by removals and promotions to fifty-two ; the average attendance for the year being forty-six. The Wil- low street school has also constantly decreased in size the past year ; the whole number of scholars during the winter term being only twenty-nine, with an average attendance of twenty- five. The average number in the Common street school is forty-two, three of whom belong to the Harbor district. I would therefore recommend that the two first-named schools be equalized in order to relieve No. 1. Punctual for one term : Lizzie Merritt, Josie Vinal, Thomas Supple, John Supple, Hen- ry J. Turner, Frank Doherty, Danforth F. Turner and Frank T. Vinal. Punctual two terms : Charles E. Edson, Joseph T. Little, Charles E. Turner, Joseph Doherty and Eddie E. Edson. MARY J. BOWDITCH, and NELLIE W. ALLEN were pres- ent every day for the year, while WILLIE L. JENKINS, the punctual, came very near making up three years of constant attendance. Sickness alone prevented.
No. 2, SOUTH STREET, is gaining in numbers every year. A few years since, it was among the smallest schools in town. It now numbers forty-eight. Rachel Stetson, Abbie A. Fernald, Ida M. Fernald, Mary A. Burke, George Colburn and Frank
32
F. Cole were punctual for one term ; Josephine L. Clapp for two, and ELLA B. CLAPP for the year.
At NORTH MAIN STREET, the register looks well except in respect to tardiness, and in that particular there is a very inky record. One scholar was tardy thirty-five times in a single term. This difficulty is getting to be "chronic" here. Let an effort be made next year to rectify it. Punctual one term : Nellic F. Nott, Carrie W. Bailey, Martha J. White, Eddie S. Bailey, Wilbur F. Merritt and Alfred J. Clapp. Punctual two terms : Abbie J. Gannett and Eliza A. Bryant. Punctual whole year : LUCIE A. CLAPP, EMILY F. B. MORRIS, HERBERT B. BAILEY and JOSEPH W. MORRIS, being the largest number who have maintained punctuality for the year of any school in town.
GROVE STREET, Nc. 4. This school is not closed, and the register has therefore not been received. A broad walk has been graded from the road to the school-house, which will prove a great addition to the comfort and convenience of the pupils.
In No. 5, HIGH STREET, there has not been a single instance of constant attendance for two years before the present, when we find a fair record for the winter term. As this district, from its situation, enjoys the least benefit from the High School of any in town, Ihave always recommended that a male teacher should be employed here in winter, and hence, have advised a larger appropriation for its support. This course has been in part followed the last two winters with good results. Clara F. Litchfield, Edith E. Stoddard, E. Eldora Litchfield and Lucy M. Brown were punctual for one term.
Turning to BEACH STREET, on the Neck, now the smallest school in town, we find Sarah F. Pratt, Charles II. Nott and
33
George O. Pratt with an unblemished record for one term, and SARAH R. DAMON punctual for the year.
In COMMON STREET, No. 7, we have a register of which fa- vorable remarks have already been made. Punctual for one term : Fannie Merritt, Alice Merritt, Flora P. Taylor, Mary Murphy, Emma F. Manson, Clemence G. Young, Edward Dunn, John Murphy, Perez Young, Edward Merritt and Alfred Nightingale. Punctual two terms : Addie Nightingale, Mercy J. Manson, Agnes W. Jenkins, Edgar S. Jenkins, Charles H. Vinal and George Nash. Punctual through the year : MATILDA NIGHTINGALE and FRANK H. YOUNG. Punc- tual for two years : SUSIE C. YOUNG.
At WILLOW STREET, No. 8, Nellie P. Bates, Carrie Dunbar and Dennis Driscoll were not absent in one term, and Lillian C. Clapp, Jennie I. Clapp, George C. Parker, and George Dunbar not absent in two. This has become one of the three smallest schools in town. It will not probably long remain so.
CENTRAL STREET had fifty-nine scholars one term of the year. Punctual one term : Kate F. Totman, Lucy M. Vinal, Emma Whitcomb, Lydia F. Jackson, Emma C. Cudworth, Laura Bradford, Billings Merritt, George Langdon and Asa E. Merritt. Punctual two terms : Mary E. Damon, Mercie C. Brown, and Stephen Webb. For the year, ANNIE M. BROWN, and ESTELLE W. HYLAND. For two years : HELEN S. BROWN.
No. 10, CHARLES STREET, has the same number of scholars, and the same average attendance as last year. The snow has obstructed the roads very much in this district. Punctual for one term : Lizzie Litchfield, Mary A. Ferguson, Harvey Cur- tis, Levi W. Vinal, Henry F. Vinal and Alvin Colburn. Punc- tual two terms : Lizzie J. Curtis, Mary F. Curtis and George Litchfield.
5
34
SCITUATE TEACHERS IN BOSTON.
It is often stated with something of pride, that Scituate has furnished three Presidents for Harvard and Yale colleges, and a Chief Justice for the U. S. Supreme Court. The teachers of her Primary schools have been appreciated abroad as well. The following list of Scituate teachers who have been connected with the public schools of Boston within a few years, the most of whom are still thus engaged, has been kindly furnished by one of the number :
Hannah L. Manson,
Mercy T. Cole,
Clara Ellms,
Juli aT. Beal,
Jane E. Beal,
H. Augusta Clapp,
Julia Clapp,
Mary A. Ford,
Margeret J. Stewart,
Emeline Briggs,
Ellen Briggs,
Abby D. Beal,
Abbie A. Cook,
Fannie Turner.
Lizzie Turner.
EXHIBITIONS.
Several of the schools have given exhibitions the past year, generally in connection with gift-trees, which have been much the best I have ever attended. The scholars in their pieces have been particular to intimate their preferences for cold water as superior even to "sweet cider," which tried to disclaim the killing of one Thomas Roper. What is best of all, these entertainments have had an excellent effect in awakening an interest in the schools. People have discovered that they had good schools, and many have been almost astonished at the progress of their own children. The superintendent takes this opportunity to gratefully acknowledge several presents, among
35
which a beautiful watch-fob from Miss Litchfield's pupils, and a copy of Webster's Unabridged illustrated Dictionary, are the most valuable.
SANITARY ..
The health of the children the past year has been unusually good. No infectious nor contagious disease has been per- mitted to bring distress to the family firesides. The number of deaths has, therefore, been very small, and a steady increase in the number of scholars between five and fifteen has been exhibited. There are now 462, a gain of forty-four in two years. Every town, by an act of 1866, now receives seventy- five dollars from the income of the school fund, the balance being divided per capita upon these children. We have gained by the passage of this law. Our last apportionment was nearly two hundred dollars, and our next will be still larger.
Allusion was made last year to a report of an association of physicians in Middlesex County, concerning the health of pu- pils, which is so excellent that every one should read it.
1st. No child should be allowed to attend school before the beginning of its sixth year.
2d. The duration of daily attendance (including time given to recess and physical exercise,) should not exceed 41 hours for the Primary schools ; 6 hours for the other schools.
3d. There should be no study required out of school,- unless at High schools ; and this should not exceed one hour.
4th. Recess time should be devoted to play outside the school- room-unless during very stormy weather-and as this time rightly belongs to the pupils, they should not be deprived of it except for some serious offense ; and those who are not de- prived of it should not be allowed to spend it in study ; and
5
36
no child should ever be confined to the school-room during an entire session. The minimum of recess time should be fifteen minutes in each session, and in Primary schools there should be more than one recess in each session.
5th. Physical exercises should be used in· school to prevent nervous and muscular fatigue, and to relieve monotony, but not as muscular training. It should be practised by both teach- ers and children for at least five minutes in every hour not broken by recess, and should be "timed" by music. In Pri- mary schools every half hour should be broken by exercise, recess or singing.
6th. Ventilation should be amply provided for by other means than open windows, though these should be used in addition to special means, during recess and exercise time.
SINGING
Is receiving more attention in the schools than formerly. CENTRAL STREET takes the lead of the primaries, with . WILLOW . STREET not far behind. The boys in the latter school do the best in this branch of any in town. The singing of the High School at examination elicited much favorable comment. Mr. Charles Young has taught a Singing School through the winter, at Union Hall, with his usual success. He should be em- ployed to instruct the schools in vocal music.
SCHOOL-HOUSES.
The very great difference in the expense of keeping a few of the school-houses in repair over the others demands investi- gation and correction. . Doubtless the isolated situation of some may expose them somewhat more to mal-treatment, but this is not the principal cause of the trouble. There is want-
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ing in certain districts a healthy sentiment of respect for the school-houses ; there is a general carelessness in all that per- tains to their management, and the result is, the school-house receives many a rude assault which leaves its mark behind. "Why," the boy says, "it's only the school-house ! Nobody takes any care of the school-house ; it isn't much, I guess." It is time that this should be stopped. Let the local committees determine to keep their houses in constant repair, not allowing a pane of glass to remain unset all winter, or anything of the kind to be seen ; and then require teacher and scholars to take care of the building. If any damage occurs, make it a seri- ous matter and set about discovering the perpetrator in earnest. When discovered, do not let him off by simply repairing the injury, unless it was clearly done by accident, but magnify the offense by imposing a punishment that shall be remembered.
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