USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1882-1886 > Part 18
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tools,
$60 50
Parker & Gannett, seeds,
5 05
Geo. E. Donald,
7 15
B. W. Oliver, 66
12 75
Total,
.
·
.
$85 45
113
HARDWARE AND BLACKSMITH WORK.
Paid Young and Hutchinson, $6 26
Thomas Little,
5 15
T. McCoubrey,
.
6 75
Joshua Walton,
4 00
John A. Blount,
1 50
Geo. M. Kelley,
2 33
Geo. E. Donald,
. 3 50
Total,
$29 49
WHEELWRIGHT'S WORK AND REPAIRS.
Paid Edwards Bros .. $10 00
PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS.
Paid Geo. W. Aborn, drain pipe, $10 24
James Westgate, lumber for hen house.
10 92
G. Oliver, labor on hen house, 2 80
E. I. Purrington, feed boxes, 2 90
J. G. Morrill, windows, .
·
1 25
Mr. Leavis,
.
2 00
Wm. Darling, 66
3 00
F. Poole, painting room, .
1 50
D. Goss, repairs,
2 40
Geo. E. Donald, repairs, .
75
Total,
$37 76
STOCK EXPENSES.
Paid S. P. Kirby, yoke of oxen,
$170 00
Joseph Kirk, cow,
75 00
A. L. Dunshee, cow,
67 50
J. B. Nichols, cow, .
25 00
W. L. Griffiin, 2 pigs,
21 00
Geo. E. Donald, shoats,
16 00
swine & fowls,
4 75
Total
$379 25
15
114
SALARY ACCOUNT.
Paid Geo. E. Donald, 1 month, $33 33
12 months, to
April 1, '84, 425 00
Total, .
$458 33
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
Paid G. W. Cunningham, manure, $12 50
W. L. Griffin, 9 70
Thomas Green, 8 75
O. Walton, burial E. A. Love- land, 22 00
J. G. Morrill, expenses at Mon- son, 14 30
J. G. Morrill, ice, , 7 75
C. W. Eaton, Citizen & Banner, 2 00
Geo. E. Donald, rubber cover, . 6 00
C. R. Hamilton, repairing clock, 1 00
D. C. Wright, dressing hog, 1 50
James Eaton, attendance on sick cow, 3 00
J. T. Atwood, attendance on sick cow, 4 00
Wakefield Coal Co., lime,
1 25
S. F. Littlefield, sundries,
13 39
Geo. E. Donald, pasturing cow,
5 00
Cate & Jewett. lumber, . 4 62
T. J. Horgan, repairing harness, 1 75
A. L. Maclachlan, horse collar, 66 repairing har-
3 50
ness; 3 00
Geo. E. Donald, sundries, ·
18 30
J. H. Eaton, expressing, .
2 10
D. Hegarty, digging grave of J. Noonan, . ·
3 00
Total,
·
$148 41
Total Almshouse expense,
.
$2,892 32
115
DETAILED ALMSHOUSE RECEIPTS.
From Chas. H. Davis, acc't of Charles Davis,
$72 00
Mrs. Gould, ·
12 00
Geo. E. Donald, 66 66 Henry Mccullough 20 00
" Rose Durgin,
4 00
account of sale of one pair of oxen,
170 00
66
" cow,
33 00
"' calves,
2 25
" heifer,
15 00
66
66
" shoats,
11 00
66
66
" pigs,
51 50
66
" chickens,
2 00
" swine,
30 21
" milk,
645 80
66
" eggs,
11 07
66
" potatoes,
29 40
" apples,
1 00
" peas,
3 50
" beets,
2 00
" poultry,
9 60
66
" pork,
23 80
" wood,
50 00
" barrels,
2 00
66
" junk,
50
" offal,
1 88
of use of oxen, .
11 00
" difference in sleds, .
5 00
Total,
. $1,219 51
.
116
ALMSHOUSE INVENTORY, MARCH 1, 1884.
One Morgan horse,
$250 00
Three cows at $75 each,
225 00
Two cows,
85 00
One heifer,
35 00
Seventeen swine, .
106 00
Fifty fowls, .
38 00
-- $739 00
Hay, grain and feed,
148 00
Manure, 20 cords,
160 00
Coal, 10 tons,
70 00
Wood, 30 cords,
150 00
Carriages and harnesses,
438 00
Farming tools,
253 00
Household goods,
440 00
Provisions,
146 00
Total,
.
.
$2544 00
INMATES OF ALMSHOUSE, MARCH 1, 1884.
Age.
Sarah Nichols,
85 years.
John Mertins,
66
Annette Mayo,
32 66
Charles Davis,
88 " (board repaid. )
OVERSEERS' FINAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Whole expense on Almshouse account, · . $2,892 32
Less, paid for permanent fixtures, $37 76
Less, also, cash paid Treasurer, 1,567 37 $1,605 13
1,287 19
Add Inventory of March 1, 1883, .
2,341 28
Total, 3,628 47
Deduct Inventory of March 1, 1884,
2,544 00
117
LEAVING.
Net cost of Poor at Almshouse, 1,084 47
Outside Relief, 2,934 74
Total net cost of Support of the Poor, 4,019 21
ALMSHOUSE INMATES.
First of the year, 6
Close of the year,
.
4
Largest number,
15
Smallest number,
4
Average number,
7 (nearly).
Cost per week, per inmate,
$2 96-100
Last year,
2 92-100
Tramps received at Lock-up,
134
Cost of Tramps, for the year,
$61 64
OVERSEERS' GENERAL REPORT.
The Town Farm and Almshouse have been under the care- ful and efficient charge of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Donald during the year just closed, and their services have been secured for the year ensuing.
Improvements have been made on the Farm by grading a portion of the Flats which have been heretofore unproduc- tive, and increased returns of hay are expected from this source. Boulders from the fields and pastures have been removed to a great extent; a wood lot that was burned over last year has been cleared up, from which has been cut some thirty or more cords of wood. Stone walls and fences have been repaired, thus making an improvement in the gen- eral appearance of the Farm and its surroundings.
The crops were seriously injured by the drought of last summer, but enough was raised to show what the Farm is capable of under favorable circumstances.
118
Six cows have furnished all the milk required for Alms- house use for the year, while the sum of $645.80 has been realized from the sale of milk to outside parties. This income is believed to be larger than has ever been received from this source, and shows what can be done in this direc- tion with a capable Superintendent.
Katie Blakeney who was committed to our charge by the Judge of the Municipal Court in Boston, was 14 years old last August ; Frank B. Fay, General Agent of the Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has been appointed her guardian and has removed her from the Almshouse thus relieving the Town from further care.
One death has occurred at the Almshouse, that of Mrs. Jane Noonan on Feb. 23, 1884. Otherwise the health of the inmates has been generally good.
OUTSIDE RELIEF.
Henry H. Corey and family of Monson whose case was reported last year have received personal attention of the Overseers. His settlement is a military one. As they could not conveniently be removed to our Almshouse an arrange- ment was made with the Town of Monson to aid them. Mr Corey died the 26th of February, 1884, and it is hoped that the family may now be removed here, making the expense to the Town less.
Moses Barnes is now living in Northbridge, Mass., receiv- ing aid from the Overseers of that town at our expense. During the year the Overseers have visited Northbridge sev- eral times to see if he could be removed here, but found it impossible owing to his condition. He has paralysis, and is confined to his bed with no prospect of recovery, needing constant care and attention. This accounts in a great meas- ure for the excessive expenditure of $400.33 over the previous year, in the Outside Relief department of persons whose residence is here.
Forty-nine families representing one hundred and twenty-
119
nine persons have received aid from the Town during the year. Of this number ninety have settlements in this town, while the remaining thirty-nine belong to the State or other cities and towns.
The case of B. F. Burlington, who was arrested last year under the provisions of Chapter 270 of the Acts of 1882, was carried to the Superior Court. This Court has sustained the decision of the lower court, and he is now serving out a sentence for unreasonably neglecting to provide for his minor children.
Whole number of Tramps lodged in the Lockup during the year was 134.
An increase in the population of the Town brings an in- crease of expense in this as well as other departments of the Town. The Overseers have exercised great care especially in dispensing outside relief in order to keep the expenses within the appropriation granted.
HIRAM EATON, JOSEPH CONNELL, JOHN G. MORRILL,
Overseers of the Poor.
120
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
Valuation of estates, real and personal, taxed in this town May 1st, 1883 :
Valuation of Real Estate,
$3,052,000 00
Personal “ 352,122 00
Resident Bank Stock (Nat. B'k of So. Reading, ) 54,784 00
Total valuation, . $3,459,906 00
Whole number of polls, males, 1,654, at $2 00, $3,308 00
Amount of State tax, . $3,210 00
County tax, . 2,393 21
Town Appropriations,
. 46,875 00
$52,478 21
Total amount assessed including overlay, $53,476 63
Rate of taxation $14 50 per $1,000.
Number of dwelling houses taxed,
1,060
horses .
313
60 cows .
224
acres of land
3,734
Value of real estate and machinery of corpora- tions, $501,015 00
Value of real estate in Wakefield exempted by law from taxation, 147,000 00
Number of steam boilers .
21
Aggregate horse power, .
721
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID PERKINS,
CHAS. F. HARTSHORNE,
Assessors.
CHAS. F. WOODWARD,
121
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The Report of the Selectmen upon the different matters under their supervision, for the year ending April 1st, 1884, is hereby respectfully submitted.
NEW PARK.
Appropriation authorized
$10,000 00
Sale of Grass, . · .
.
28 25
Total,
$10,028 25
Expended, $190 00
The action of the Town in accepting the "Park Act" has been officially communicated to the Secretary of State, by the Secretary of this Board, and the publication of the required certificate by the State official has been duly certi- fied to the Town Treasurer by the Secretary of the Com- monwealth.
By vote of the town passed May 7th, 1883, the Treasurer was authorized, with the approval of the Selectmen, to hire ten thousand dollars in notes of one thousand dollars each. to meet the conditions of the bequests in the will of Corne- lius Sweetser, and it was also voted that the sum of one thousand dollars be raised annually, for the next ten years, to meet the payment of these notes. This sum with the bequest of Mr. Sweetser ($10,000) to be expended in improv- ing and beautifying the new park. Our citizens will be called upon at our next annual town meeting to vote for three Park Commissioners.
INTRODUCTION OF WATER.
Under date of Dec. 1st, 1883, the Selectmen were noti- fied by the Wakefield Water Company of their readiness to
16
122
complete their contract, for the introduction of water into the town, and the 13th of the same month was assigned as the time for testing the hydrants. The trial was first made upon those upon Main street, on each side of the Town Hall building, followed by those upon, and near the junction of Pleasant and Salem streets, and finally of those upon Main street near the residence of Mr. Lucius Beebe. The result in each case was highly satisfactory, the water being thrown from fifty to seventy-five feet in a perpendicular stream by the force of reservoir pressure alone. Each hydrant was also tested by the Chief Engineer, and by him reported to the town as in a satisfactory condition for their designed use.
PERAMBULATION OF TOWN LINES.
The line between the towns of Melrose and Wakefield, was perambulated by the Selectmen of the respective towns, on the 27th of Oct. 1883, in conformity with law, and the monuments found in good condition.
TOWN HALL BUILDING.
Appropriation authorized,
$1000 00
Receipts (as per vote of the town) .
983 10
1983 10
Expended
1994 51
Many much needed repairs and improvements have been made upon the interior of the edifice, and it is believed that the whole is now in a state of complete repair. By vote of the town Nov. 26th, the sum of three hundred dollars was appropriated to meet the expense of covering the steam pipes in the basement of the building with a cement com- posed of asbestos, and insoluble carth, to secure and convey to the different radiators the entire amount of heat generated by the boiler. This vote has been carried out at an expense of $275.00 with very satisfactory results.
123
At the same meeting the sum of $75.00 was appropriated to cover the expense of a Gas Regulator for the building. This was purchased and placed for the sum named, securing it is believed a saving of one hundred feet, in each eleven hundred feet of gas.
By vote of the town Dec. 10th, the sum of two hundred dollars was appropriated for conveying water into the build- ing. This was accomplished at an expense of $212,32.
STREET LAMPS.
By vote of the town Dec. 26th, 1883, the sum of $200, was appropriated for placing street lamps upon Melvin, Water, Bryant, Elm, W. Chestnut and Salem streets ; this vote has been carried out, and in addition a lamp has been placed upon Lake street. The lighting of the lamps in the central part of the town has been attended to in a very un- satisfactory manner indeed, causing much dissatisfaction among the citizens, as well as annoyance, and regret to the Selectmen.
INSURANCE.
Policies for the following amounts of insurance are now · held upon the public buildings.
Building.
Sum. $5,000
Company.
Town Hall,
..
5,000
Franklin, Phil.,
10,000
No. America, Phil.,
..
10,000
Com'l Union, London,
66
.i
5,000
Phoenix
10,000
Liverpool & London & Globe,
5,000
Pennsylvania, Phil.,
Dec. 1, 1886.
Furniture,
5,000
Royal, Liverpool,
Aug. 3, 1884.
Beebe Town Library,
2,000
Etna, Hartford,
June 24, 1884.
May 1, 1886.
High School,
5,000
London & Lancashire, Liverpool,
Jan. 9, 1887. 66
66
10,000
American
Sept. 12, 1887.
$6
5,000
Royal, Liverpool,
5,000
Pennsylvania, Phil.,
North School,
2,000
Guardian, London,
·· 6, ..
Centre
4,000
..
“ 3, "
66
Academy,
3,000
3,
April 1, 1887. May 9, 1886.
West
2,000
Dorchester Mutual, Boston,
2,000
5,000
No. America Phil.,
Expires. Sept. 10, 1884. March 13, 1886
Lancashire, Eng.,
66
124
Montrose School,
2,000 Home, New York,
Nov. 18, 1887. 66
South
66
2,000
66
Franklin 66
2.000
Royal, Liverpool,
Jan. 8, 1887.
2,000
Sun Fire, London,
Feb. 1, 1888,
Woodville
4,000
London & Lancashire,
Nov. 8, 1887.
Almshouse and Barn,
2,250
Citizen's, New York,
July 11, 1883.
2,250
National.
New Hamilton School,
..
5.000
Guardian, London.
66
66
1,000
Pennsylvania, Phil.,
Feb. 18. 1.89.
66
..
Furniture, 1,000
LYNN WATER SUPPLY.
A movement was commenced by the City of Lynn by a petition to the Legislature for authority to take water from Saugus River, to increase the supply for that City. This was opposed by the Board and by many citizens of the town as threatening to destroy our ancient source of drainage. The expense in opposing it was considerable, but was war- ranted in our judgment by the importance of the subject, but owing to causes beyond our control our opposition was unsuccessful.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES OLIVER,
Selectmen OTIS V. WATERMAN, of
A. W. BROWNELL, Wakefield.
Dec. 1, 1888.
5,000
Royal, Liverpool,
125 POLICE REPORT,
POLICE OFFICE, Wakefield, Mass.,
March 1, 1884.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen ;
GENTLEMEN,-The report of this Department from June 1, 1883 to March 1, 1884, is herewith respectfully sub- mitted :
ARRESTS.
Whole number,
51
Males,
46
Females. .
5
Minors,
.
3
NATURE OF CRIME.
Drunkenness,
14
Burglary,
2
Drunkenness, assault and avoiding fare,
2
Disturbance of the peace, .
4
Assault,
12
Highway robbery,
1
Vagrancy,
1
Insanity,
1
Assault, and default warrant,
1
Malicious mischief,
5 .
Common drunkard,
.
2
Default warrant,
1
Larceny, .
1
Threatening bodily harm, .
1
Larceny, and assault on officer,
2
Disobedience, .
1
Total, .
51
.
·
Respectfully submitted,
J. S. BATCHELDER, Chief of Police.
-
126
NIGHT WATCH REPORT.
WAKEFIELD, March 1, 1884. To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN,-The report of this Department, commenc- ing March 1, 1883 and ending Feb. 29, 1884, is herewith respectfully submitted :
Arrests made,
26
Males,
26
Females,
0)
Assault, .
·
4
Burglary, .
1
Drunkenness,
8
Vagrancy,
4
Malicious mischief,
5
Default warrant,
1
Disturbing the peace,
2
Larceny,
1
Alarms of fire by night,
11
Places of business found open,
27
Stray teams cared for,
4
Stray horses cared for,
3
People assisted home,
22
People assisted in finding lodgings,
18
Disturbances suppressed,
15
Stray children found,
2
.
.
JOHN A. MELONEY, JOHN F. WHITING,
Night Police.
127
.
LOCK-UP REPORT.
WAKEFIELD, March 1, 1884.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN,-The report of this Department from March 1, 1883, to March 1, 1884, is herewith respectfully sub- mitted :
One hundred and thirty-four tramps have been provided with lodgings at the Lock-up from Feb. 15th, 1883 to March 1st, 1884.
There have been received from the First District Court of Eastern Middlesex, for the town of Wakefield, as lock-up fees, from March 1st, 1883, to March 1st, 1884, $17.50. There have also been received, as lock-up fees due from last year, $8.50.
JOHN A. MELONEY,
Lock-up Keeper.
128
ENGINEERS' REPORT.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-The Engineers of the Fire Department herewith present their annual report, in which a detailed statement of its force and apparatus, together with a com- plete record of all fires and other information relating to its work and present condition are given.
FORCE.
The force of the Department numbers 84 men, including a Chief and two Assistant Engineers, and the following named companies and apparatus :
Steamer Lucius Beebe Co. No. 1; Foreman, Justin How- ard, 15 men.
One fourth class Silsby Steam Fire Engine.
C. Wakefield Engine Co. No. 2; Foreman, Thomas Hickey, 35 men.
One Hunneman Hand Engine.
Washington Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1, Truck ; Foreman, David C. Malcolm, 20 men.
Chemical Engine Co. No. 1; Foreman, W. C. Allen, 11 men.
One Chemical Engine.
One two-wheeled Hose Carriage, stationed in Chemical House, in charge of Foreman W. C. Allen.
Yale Engine, out of commission. Housed on Park street, near Main.
One four-wheeled Hose Carriage.
One Supply Wagon.
One Fire Extinguisher, located at Town House.
Fifty-one Johnson Pumps and Buckets.
129
Three thousand two hundred feet of hose, a small portion of which is not thoroughly reliable for steamer service or hydrant pressure under certain possible conditions.
One Lowry Hydrant Base, on Main street, near Lincoln street, for which a four or six nozzle head should be pro- vided.
Sixty double nozzle Fire Hydrants, furnished by the Wakefield Water Company. And said Hydrants, at the re- quest of your Honorable Board, were carefully examined and tested by your Chief Engineer, assisted by the Superintend- ent of Water Works, and were found to be in good order and of sufficient force and capacity for the throwing of two good, efficient fire streams from each and every hydrant.
And it is the opinion of your Engineers that with this great accession to the forces already named, for the suppres- sion of fire in the thickly settled portions of the town, there might be some changes made for the reduction of apparatus and men. After careful thought, we would respectfully offer the following suggestions, or recommendations, for your consideration :
That the Chemical Engine Company be changed to a Hose Company.
That the C. Wakefield Engine be placed on the retired list.
That the Chemical Engine take its place for the protection of that section of the town.
That one thousand feet of hose be purchased for hydrant service.
That for the better protection of life, in the event of a fire in Wakefield's Block, a portable fire escape be located in the upper story thereof.
That the town offer a substantial, standing reward for the detection, conviction and punishment of incendiaries.
That an electro-mechanical tower-bell striker be placed in connection with one of our heaviest bells, (if permission of
17
130
the society owning it could be obtained,) for the giving of fire alarms.
That the cause of all fires be investigated, and the sale of low-test kerosene oils prohibited.
That the steamer and the horses should be nearer cach other, and, finally, that the town should soon take into con- sideration the question of new, more commodious and more centrally located quarters for the Fire Department.
We trust that you will give these matters your careful consideration, to the end that the efficiency of our Depart- ment may be maintained and that disaster from fire may not come to us.
FIRES AND ALARMS.
The loss by fire during the past year has been light, and in almost every case was confined to the building in which the fire originated. Two or three incipient fires have been put out by holders of Johnson Pumps, who showed courage and good judgment in not alarming the entire town, where a few buckets of water only were required.
There have been 19 alarms of fire, 18 of which were re- sponded to by the prompt turning out of the entire depart- ment, and one fire where one company failed to get the alarm.
April 1st, 1883. Fire at Woodville. House of Henry MoCullough. Totally destroyed. Supposed cause, an over- heated brick oven. Loss $2000. Insurance $1400.
April 26th. Alarm rung in by boys for a grass fire in the vicinity of Bear Hill.
April 27th. Alarm rung in by boys for a light seen in the vicinity of Lexington. This was a wanton and malicious alarm.
May 3d. Alarm for fire set in the woodlands of Thomas Cox at Lynnfield. Another piece of malicious mischief.
131
May 9th. Fire at the house of Mr. Joseph Cartwright. Fire confined to interior of house. Cause, a defective flue. Damage $400. Insured.
June 17th. Fire in Reading. Large business block and one dwelling-house totally destroyed. Chief Engineer Parker called for assistance and the Steamer "Lucius Beebe" was at once dispatched.
June 28th. Fire at the barn of Cyrus Wakefield. Cause unknown. Damage $200. Insured.
July 12th. Fire at Michael Holden's. Barn and contents - damaged. Received on insurance $235. Cause unknown.
July 19th. Fire on Elm street. Barn owned by Walton & Aborn. Loss $25. Set by children.
Aug. 15th. Fire at Greenwood. Cider mill owned by James B. Forsythe. Cause unknown. Loss $300. Insur- ance $300.
Sept. 5th. Fire in swamp near New England Ice Houses. Supposed to have been set by locomotive.
Sept. 5th. Fire in house on Otis street. Damage very slight.
Sept. 5th. False alarm.
Sept. 6th. Fire in woods at Woodville. Incendiary.
Sept. 6th. Fire in woods between Wakefield and Read- ing. Supposed to have been set by a locomotive.
Sept. 27th. Fire alarm. Burning of grass in Lynnfield meadows. Cause, supposed to have been set by locomotive.
Oct. 6th. Fire caused by swamp clearing at Woodville. Still alarm. Taken care of by the H. F. P. A.
Oct. 7th. Fire in the woods at Woodville. Fire extin- guished with a Johnson Pump. Cause, incendiary.
Oct. 25th. Fire in a small shed on Richardson street. Damage slight. Cause, unknown.
Nov, 30th. House and barn at Greenwood owned by
132
Mrs. Burrell. Totally destroyed. Valued at $1900. In- sured for $3000. Cause, upsetting of a kerosene lamp.
No alarm being sounded the department did not respond.
Dec. 29th. Fire at Lake Cottage, Saugus.
Jan. 12th, 1884. Fire in large boarding house owned by Cyrus Wakefield. Damage by fire and water about $500. Insured. Caused by a careless smoker.
First use of Water Company's hydrant at a fire.
Feb. 23d. Still alarm. Caused by a burning chimney in a tenement house owned by Chas. Bateman.
Mr. Patrick Kenny responded to this alarm with Johnson Pump No. 20, and rendered a service which entitles him to our thanks, and adds another proof of the value of these small pumps when promptly managed.
The location of Johnson Pumps has not changed since last year, with the exception of No. 24 transferred to Mrs. H. N. Flint's, Main st., No. 38 transferred to John J. Brooks, For- est st., No. 42 transferred to John McGlory, Jr., Elm st.
In closing this report we desire to tender our thanks to the Selectmen and other town officials, for the interest shown by them in the welfare of the department, and their uniform courtesy at all times.
To the officers and members of the Fire Department we are under renewed obligations for the good will shown dur- ing the past year. By their devotion to duty and the promptness with which they have responded to all alarms, they have maintained, their former good and well-earned rep- utation.
We are not unmindful of the independent, self-supporting organizations, outside the regular Fire Department,-the Fountain Engine Company and the H. F. P. Association. Both are entitled, to a share of praise, and the thanks of the community they endeavor to faithfully serve.
Our thanks are also due Messrs. Hathaway, Dow and
133
others, and their assistants, for prompt responses to all alarms, and for skillful handling of the horses. On one occasion the excellent management of the driver prevented what might have proved a very serious disaster.
We are pleased to report that none of the members have met with accidents in the discharge of their duty worthy of mention, nor have any died during the past year.
The expense of the Department exceeded the amount esti- mated. See report of Auditors, page 76.
And we would recommend for the ensuing year that the sum of $5,000, including Hydrant Service, be raised and appropriated for the Fire Department.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES H. CARTER,
OWEN CORCORAN, Engineers. ROGER HOWARD, Sec.,
-
134
REPORT OF FISH COMMITTEE.
The eighth annual report of the Fish Committee of Wake- field is herewith submitted.
And it differs but little from those which have preceded it, as the movements of the fish are in the order of nature from season to season, unless interfered with by the devices of men.
The alewives came up from the sea in about the usual numbers for a short time during the first part of the season, when it was found that the Fish Way gates were shut, thus retarding the movements of the schools of fish.
The State Commissioners were notified and measures were promptly taken to do away with this trouble, when the fish again went forward and on into the lake. Large numbers of the young fish went out of the lake before the unprece- dented drought cut off their escape. But large numbers must have remained in the lake until the midwinter rise of water.
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