Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1903, Part 3

Author: Fairhaven (Mass.)
Publication date: 1903
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 154


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Moulder. Boat builder. Farmer. Marketman. Trader. Laborer. Carpenter. Clerk. Foreman.


Painter.


Grocer. Machinist. Bomb-lance maker. Machinist. Machinist.


Clerk. Pairpoint Mfg. Co. Machinist. Teamster. Tool maker.


Moulder. Drill hardener. Farmer. Boat builder. Machinist. Painter. Ice dealer. Farmer.


73


Lemuel D. Eldred, Isaac P. Francis, Isaiah Gurney, Clifton A. Hacker,


George L. Hiller,


Matthew H. Howard,


Walter H. Judd,


George G. Lawton, Edward B. Mackie, George A. Matthewson,


Joseph C. Omey, Augustus F. Perry, Jeremiah H. Pease, Lewis O. Pardee,


Andrew J. Shooks,


Roger Sherman,


Moses S. Stone, Peter Sheehan,


James F. Tripp,


James P. Terry,


Artist. Real estate. Wheelwright. Electrician. Farmer. Teamster. Manufacturer. Blacksmith.


Clerk. Cigars.


Carpenter. Retired.


Cooper.


Mason.


Painter.


Farmer.


Farmer.


Farm hand.


Caulker. Farmer.


.


REPORT


OF THE


Sewer Commissioners.


REPORT OF THE SEWER COMMISSIONERS. FOR THE YEAR ENDING FEB. 10, 1904.


The past year has been one of activity in building exten- sions of the sewerage system. Under the supervision of Z. W. Dodge, 176 ft. was added to the Shone system in Laurel street, south from Church street. Under John I. Bryant, Assistant Superintendent of Streets, 486 feet was added to the Shone system extending from Washington street through Summer to Rodman street. Also under Mr. Bryant's supervision the S. W. Gravity system was extended by 446 feet, being laid in Fort street, south from Cottage to Cedar street, and under contract with the Shone Co. of Chicago, an Ejector Station and system were installed in the so-called "Pease district." The Ejector Station is of a new pattern and claimed to be superior to the original. The gravity system in this new construction is of cast iron pipe with caulked joints, and will call for the use of that constructon in house connections. There are 753 feet in Middle street, 759 feet in Main street, 1,077 feet in Bridge street, 254 feet in Cowen street, and 155 feet in Pease street.


Mr. J. K. Nye and Engineer F. M. Metcalf acted as gen- eral inspectors on behalf of the Town, although neither was on the work all the time. It is believed that the work is done in a thorough manner however.


The town's share of the cost was assumed by Mr. H. H. Rogers. There have been thirty-two (32) connections made the past year, making a total of 401.


The Commissioners have had completed a record of all the Y branches of all sewers in such form that they may be blue- printed, and a copy of these will be kept on file in one of the town safes.


78


The Commissioners at one of their meetings voted to recommend the construction of the Oxford sewerage system in accordance with the plan now on file with the Commis- sioners or such modifications as be deemed advisable, and that the town appropriate for such construction the sum of twelve thousand dollars ($12,000.)


A larger appropriation for maintenance will be necessary this year on account of the extensions, and in the not far distant future it may become necessary to increase the power at the pumping station.


Respectfully submitted,


E. G. PAULL, GEO. T. THATCHER, Z. W. DODGE,


Sewer Commissioners.


REPORT


OF THE


BOARD OF HEALTH.


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.


To the Citizens of Fairhaven, the Board of Health respect- fully submit its annual report for the year 1903.


The Board organized in March, 1903, with the choice of Charles P. Maxfield as chairman, Joseph B. Peck as secre- tary, and Dr. Wm. H. Thayer as medical inspector.


There has been reported to the Board during the last twelve months, thirty-two cases of contagious and infectious diseases, viz : -


6 typhoid fever, 12 scarlet fever, 10 measles, 4 diphtheria.


This shows a decrease in number of fifty-eight cases in comparison with last year. There was but one death from contagious disease and that a child, one year old, of diphtheria.


There were seventeen complaints of nuisances, which upon notice were promptly abated.


During the past year there has been inspected, as the. law directs, 158 slaughtered animals, viz : -


152 hogs, 5 cows, 1 ox.


One cow was found affected with tuberculosis and con- demned.


Mr. E. G. Grinnell inspected at the general inspection, the following animals, viz : -


410 cows, 63 young cattle, 82 swine, 6 bulls, 1 yoke of oxen,


82


One cow was found affected with tuberculosis and con- demed, making two cows which were condemned during the year.


There has been no cases found of the Foot and Mouth disease, within our jurisdiction, the past year.


The Board recommend, the same as last year, that the town license some responsible person to collect the swill and garbage, at least twice a week, from the residences of those who make application to him, he to furnish water-tight cans for the removal of same.


No license was granted to any person or place where the Jews could slaughter, under the license of others; we recommend the same condition continue.


At the annual Town meeting, the town appropriated $300 and voted to place the same in the charge of Board of Health, for the purpose of exterminating, as far as possible, the mosquito nuisance.


At the first meeting of the Board, held in March, we con- sidered the question and we decided to use Phinotas oil in all fresh water hatching pools, and petroleum fuel oil in temporary and brackish pools, and also for spraying pur- poses.


We procured the necessary apparatus, such as cans, pumps, sprinkling pots, etc., and hired Geo. H. Carpenter with his team, as he was well acquainted with all parts of the town, to perform the necessary work. At this same meeting, W. C. Stoddard, who has always been very much interested in the work of exterminating mosquitoes, kindly volunteered his services to assist Mr. Carpenter in his work. Mr. Frank W. Proctor of Sconticut Neck, also assisted in the work, and agreed to take care of a mile in area if the Board would furnish the oil, which they did, and he reports that the Phinotas oil gave excellent results in all fresh water places, but is not adapted to salt water. He


83


recommends the drawing of salt water marshes by ditches, which are effective in two ways. They either entirely dry the pools or unite several pools into one sufficiently large to maintain fish life, which feed upon the wrigglers. Mr. Proctor also reports that the barn and tree swallows do much toward reducing the quantities of mosquitoes, as they constitute a large share of their food in this vicinity.


Mr. Carpenter made three trips a week to different parts of the town, and for the first three months was apparently successful, then the rains with the warm weather, produced such enormous numbers around the marshes, that with our limited means, it was simply impossible to subdue them, and we considered it best to attend to the inland ponds and ditches.


In the opinion of the Board, and with the experience of Mr. Carpenter, we have concluded that it was not altogether successful and we would not recommend that the town appropriate any more money for that purpose.


EXPENSE ACCOUNT.


Appropriated,


$300.00


Paid labor,


$111.00


Phinotas oil,


31.20


Fuel oil,


34.62


Utensils, etc.,


10.64


Carting, etc.,


2.50


$189.96


In Town Treasury,


$110.04


CHARLES P. MAXFIELD,


JOSEPH B. PECK,


WILLIAM H: THAYER, M. D.


THE MILLICENT LIBRARY


----


THE MILLICENT LIBRARY FAIRHAVEN, MASS.


ANNUAL REPORT 1903


OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES OF THE MILLICENT LIBRARY 1893-1904


President


HIENRY H. ROGERS 1893-


Vice Presidents


WALTER P. WINSOR


1893-94


GEORGE H. TABER


1895-96


GEORGE H. TRIPP


1 897-98


THOMAS A. TRIPP


1899-00


JAMES L. GILLINGHAM


1901-02


JOB C. TRIPP


1903-


Treasurers


JAMES L. GILLINGHAM


1893-94


MRS. LIZZIE F. NYE .


IS95-96


WALTER P. WINSOR


IS97-


Secretaries


THOMAS A. TRIPP


1893-94


MISS ELLEN H. AKIN


1895-96


MRS. SARAH C. ANTHONY


IS97-98


MRS. LIZZIE F. NYE


1899-00


DON C. STEVENS


1901


DREW B. HALL 1901-


3


Standing Committees 1903-1904


Book Committee -


H. H. Rogers, President, J. C. Tripp, Vice President, Mrs. Anthony, Miss Akin, G. H. Tripp.


Finance Committee -


W. P. Winsor, Treasurer, Mrs. Nye, J. L. Gillingham, W. E. Benjamin. E. L. Besse.


House Committee -


T. A. Tripp, Mrs. Broughton, Mrs. Winsor, C.W. White, Jr., G. W. Stevens.


Trustees


Miss Ellen H. Akin


1893-


Edmund Anthony, Jr.


1902


Mrs. Sarah C. Anthony


1893-


William E. Benjamin 1893-


Edward L. Besse


1893-


Mrs. Cara R. Broughton


1 893-


James L. Gillingham


1893-


Mrs. Lizzie F. Nye


1893-


Henry H. Rogers


1893-


Don C. Stevens


1893-01


George W. Stevens


1893-


George H. Taber


1893-01


George H. Tripp


1893-


Job C. Tripp


1902-


Thomas A. Tripp


1893-


Charles W. White, Jr.,


1902-


Mrs. Mary G. Winsor


1893-


Walter P. Winsor


1893-


1


LIBRARIAN'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1903


To the Trustees of the Millicent Library :


I have the honor of presenting to you my third annual report for the year 1903.


Growth in Volumes


The additions of the year number 875 volumes ; 722 by purchase, 26 by gift and 127 by the binding of periodicals. 623 volumes were with- drawn, leaving a net increase of 252 which added to 16,660, the actual number in the library Dec. 31, 1902, makes the present total 116,912.


Binding


349 volumes have been re-bound and 127 volumes of periodicals newly bound at a local bindery ; besides these 476 many hundreds have been repaired in the library building. All of these, together with the 602 with- drawn have been examined and passed upon by the librarian. A new style of binding for periodicals which so far gives entire satisfaction, has several points of merit over the style formerly followed, and one that seems entirely new. It is the lacing of the bands through the covers from the outside, the band being countersunk ; this allows the volume to open perfectly flat and removes the strain on the hinges as the covers are turned back toward each other ; a strain which increases when the lacing is from the inside out. Other specifications are light or neutral whole buckram, vellum corners, sewing " all-along " on bands, and tight backs.


Registration


496 persons have received borrowers' cards ; 231 adult residents of Fair- haven, 112 between the ages of 11. and 20 ; residents of New Bedford 61, and of other places 92. These 2496 names added to the 1,346 reported last year make 1,842 taken on the new registration beginning May 1, 1902. Of the 3,250 residents of Fairhaven over 11 years of age, 1,484 or 45.6% are registered borrowers ; a per cent. hardly surpassed in the country.


Loan Department


Non-fiction privileges have been extended so that any reasonable number of books on any subject may be borrowed at one time on a single card. The appreciation which this and the following change evoked are most gratifying. Current periodicals are issued for one week instead of two; this enables a much larger number of people to see them while fresh.


1 Appendixes 1, 2, and 3.


2 Appendix 4.


5


Periodicals over four months old and all bound volumes. are charged for two weeks as before.


During their summer holidays, many availed themselves of the vaca- tion reading plan and borrowed, till September, six novels of titles published prior to 1902.


The 5000 odd volumes of fiction have been freshly labeled and rearranged on the shelves to read from the left to the right like a newspaper column, and from the top down.


The volumes loaned from the library were 350,882, a gain of 5,327 or II.7% over 1902. This is the largest year since 1894, when the library was new, and hard times gave leisure for reading. The largest day was Saturday, Feb. 21, 255 ; the smallest, 56, on Sunday, July 26, the opening day of the Old Home Week celebration. Thanksgiving and Christmas days were 104 and 76 respectively. The average daily circulation was 139.4, and the circulation per capita, 13.5+. The percentage of fiction both adult and juvenile, was 58.5.


Reserves


Reserving, which is done without charge and on all classes of books, is very commonly practiced, but it has not seemed to meet the needs of a considerable number of readers. For their benefit, and that of the general public, several of the copies of a popular title are no longer subjected to reserves ; they are stamped, " This copy not to be reserved," and come in and go out to the first fortunate borrower. The remaining copies, one-half or three-fifths of the total number, are reserved in the usual manner. The plan works well.


Publications


Besides the regular weekly annotated lists in the Star, and five 8 page bulletins, there have been printed a reading list of 190 entries on Washing- ton and Lincoln, a decorative certificate for the juvenile vacation reading, a careful explanation of the system of marking our books and arranging them on the shelves, and a thoroughly considered folder of " Information for readers and borrowers."


Cataloguing


In September the cross references in the non-fiction catalogue to the number of 5,200 were completed after 10 months' work; they are based on the A. L. A. List of subject headings, and form a network of references joining allied subjects.


816 printed catalogue cards for current accessions were obtained from the Library of Congress at a cost of $6.97 ; not only is the print clearer and more correct, but the cost is much less, than that of our typewriter work.


4,180 Cleveland-Pittsburg printed cards analyzing selected juveniles have been filed as received and are of great assistance.


3 Appendix 5.


1Population being 3,750.


6


And some eleven hundred titles of fiction have been indexed as to sub- ject.


Classified Accession Book


The new shelf-list on cards furnished an opportunity for simplifying and improving two of the library records, to effect a considerable saving of time both in their making and in later reference to them. The accession book contained, in the order of addition to the library, twelve specifications for each volume, occupying a written line twenty inches long; the shelf- list, showing the order of place on the shelves, duplicated most of these twelve specifications.


To avoid this duplication and the resulting loss of time, and yet to preserve an accurate accession record showing how many and what books have been added, the Classified Accession Record was devised. It presents a classified list in the order of accession, of volumes, and works as distinct from volumes, and it indicates extra, replaced and withdrawn volumes and copies ; exhibiting at a glance both the extent and the character of growth during any period. A more detailed description of its use and a diagram of the ruling of the pages were published in the Library Journal for December, 1903.


Juvenile Vacation Reading


During July and August 24 pupils of grammar school age received cer- tificates for reading and reviewing satisfactorily to a library attendant at least five of a prescribed list of So worth-while books. Two pupils read 26 each and received prizes of books.


Picture Collection


A collection of illustrative material was begun during the summer by several high school girls who met from time to time and aided in pulling to pieces old magazines. 5,250 magazine prints and 150 Perry and Cosmos pictures have been gathered, classified, indexed, and numbered for circulation. It is hoped they will prove useful to teachers and others in search of illustrations.


Reference Lists


From 10 minutes to 9 hours have been spent in gathering from 1 to 55 references on each of some 520 different subjects; and 14 special lists and bulletins have been posted. All these have been filed for future use.


Childrens and Reference Rooms


The change of reference and trustees rooms to childrens and reference use, has increased our table and floor space though shelf room is still insufficient. And we are able to serve more fitly both students and chil-


7


dren, furnishing better accommodations and quieter rooms ; the low chairs and tables being specially appreciated.


School Reference Instruction


In accordance with arrangements with the school authorities, six talks to pupils of the Eighth and Ninth grades were each given twice at the library for the purpose of instructing the children in a proper use of books. The subjects considered were :


I. The book itself.


(1) Its makeup. a. Paper. b. Printing. c. Binding.


(2) Aids to its use. a. Title-page. b. Contents. c. Index.


2. Classification of books according to subject.


Decimal classification.


Notation-class and book numbers.


Location of classes on shelves.


3. Catalogue.


Use of card catalogue (Dictionary).


4. Reference books.


Characterization and methods of consulting.


5. Bibliography. (Grade 9).


Directions for and practice in the making of simple lists on subjects connected with school work.


To test the information gained from these talks, pupils of the Ninth grade made lists of material in the library on Longfellow's Evangeline, the French Reign of Terror and the Landing of the Pilgrims. The re- sults were gratifying, for of a class of 40, 20 pupils presented excellent lists and II others fair ones.


Picture and Book Exhibits


Collections of photographs of Switzerland, Amsterdam and North Holland, Siena, Paris, two of Venice, Russia, Sicily, China, Albrecht Durer's paintings and engravings, Yachts, and Birds have been exhibited, and the New York State Library kindly loaned for two weeks one of its books for the blind, curious and interesting.


During the fortnight preceding Christmas a hundred new and worthy books were shown in the reference room with the idea of aiding givers of books in their purchases.


Christmas week a large number of photographs of paintings of the Madonna owned by the library were exhibited.


Library Rotation


In the Rotation case collections of books on Gardening, Nature books and nature lovers, Easy chair journeys (travel), Domestic science, and


Pilgrim days and ways, have allured many, and the easy chair before it has had an occupant during much of the time.


Respectfully submitted,


DREW B. HALL.


12 Jan. 1904


Librarian.


APPENDIX 1 Growth 1903


Volumes at the beginning


16,660


Volumesª added


875


Volumes withdrawn, etc.


623


Net growth


252


Net total


16,912


Appendix 3.


9


APPENDIX 2 Classified Additions, 1902 and 1903


Volumes


New titles


Volumes of juveniles incl. in total vols.


1902


1903


1902


1903


1902


1903


Encyclopedias and magazines,


23


119


9


12


Philosophy and ethics,


II


9


II


9


Religion,


18


17


17


15


3


2


Political economy, education


and folklore,


55


54


43


45


14


IO


Language and grammar,


7


1


6


1


Natural sciences,


52


26


39


21


16


3


Useful arts,


47


41


42


28


3


4


Fine arts,


47


51


40


44


3


6


Literature,


102


82


64


40


30


IO


Travel and history,


III


64


81


54


39


14


Individual and collected


biography,


41


68


37


62


4


8


Fiction,


297


343


224


218


96


69


Totals,


811


875


613


549


208


126


APPENDIX 3 Gross and Net Increase 1903


ADDITIONS


Loss


By purchase,


722


, By withdrawal,


602


By gift,


26


By sold,


19


By binding periodicals,


127


By lost,


2


875


623


APPENDIX 4 Registration, 1902 and 1903


1902


1903


Total


Fairhaven, adult


877


231


1,108


Fairhaven, school


264


I12


376


1,484


New Bedford.


99


61


160


Other,


106


92


198


358


Total, 31 Dec. 1903,


1,842


APPENDIX 5 Classified Circulation by months, 1903


Fiction


General works


Philosophy


Religion


Sociology


Philology


Science


Useful arts


Fine arts


Literature


Travel, history


biography


collected


Individual and


circulation


Monthly


Jan.


2,652


952


32


39


91


12


82


91


105


21I


322


82


4,671


Feb.


2,687


S41


9


54


IOI


9


73


105


88


220


306


105


4.608


Mar.


2,944


887


28


41 .


122


IO


120


130


139


264


384


138


5,197


April


2,589


772


19


30


100


106


84


IO2


178


288


104


4,379


May


2,274


785


20


22


S4


2


98


S3


90


189


221


100


3,968


June


2,273


744


17


40


67


7


64


75


73


144


190


77


3.771


July


2,202


670


12


35


75


2


51


4.5


39


127


165


84


3,507


Aug.


2,413


779


17


26


57


3


51


75


72


131


199


5


3,890


Sept.


2,293


772


00


26


71


5


87


76


69


137


246


44


3,894


Oct.


2,558


934


19


49


89


9


74


103


83


170


293


90


4,471


Nov.


2,552


85.5


13


32


77


00


83


104


100


178


311


86


4,399


Dec.


2,370


774


00



86


0


81


90


94


I83


302


98


4,127


Totals


29,807


9,765


227


424


1,020


80


970


1,061


1,054


2,132


3,227


1,115


50,882


Per cent.


58.56


19.18


.44


.83


.15


1.90


2 08


2.07


4.18


6.33


2.19


99.9


10


11


APPENDIX 6


Library Staff


LIBRARIAN


DREW . B. HALL. . July, 1901-


ASSISTANTS (alphabetical order )


FRANCES H. FULLER, . October, 1902-


FLORA H. LEIGHTON,


·


January, 1903-


ANNIE THOMPSON,


December, 1891-


JANITOR


HORATIO JENNEY,


March, 1894-


PAGE


EDWARD G. SPOONER, JR.,


.


January, 1902-


THA


ROGERS SCHOOL


SCHOOL REPORT


FAIRHAVEN


MASS.


1 904


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


GEORGE H. TRIPP, JOSEPH K. NYE, THOMAS A. TRIPP,


GEORGE W. STEVENS, JOB C. TRIPP, JOSEPH PETTEE, JR.,


Term expires 1904. Term expires 1904. Term expires 1905.


Term expires 1905.


Term expires 1906. Term expires 1906.


Secretary and Superintendent : FRANK M. MARSH.


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE


To the Citizens of Fairhaven :


The condition of any locality is gauged by the attention paid to the public schools. On the one hand neglect, un- sanitary conditions, poor and underpaid teachers; on the other, comfortable buildings, care for the health of the pupils, and the best teachers that can possibly be provided.


A comparison of the schools of this town as shown in the early school reports quoted in the Fairhaven town history published last summer, with the condition of the schools as shown today makes very satisfactory reading.


The children are well cared for in convenient buildings, the course of study is in accordance with the requirements of today, the great majority of the teachers are earnest, faithful, and practical educators, and the supervision of the schools is in the hands of a capable and efficient superin- tendent.


In fact, one of the difficulties that has to be met and overcome most frequently is directly due to the excellence of the schools. The teaching corps is so efficient that fre- quent changes have to be made owing to the special induce- ments offered to our teachers to take higher paid positions elsewhere. And the success of the Superintendent of Schools in filling such vacancies so acceptably is a source of gratification to the School Board.


4


The schools are constantly increasing in attendance. During the last three years five additional regular teachers have had to be added, increasing the salary list $2,000, and still the rooms are crowded, some school rooms having over fifty pupils to one teacher. Next year every room at the Rogers school will be filled, even to the hall. Oxford has had all the rooms filled during the present year.


Next year there will be required an extra fourth grade teacher in the Rogers school.


By request of the parents of the Naskatucket district, that school has been closed and its pupils transferred to the Rogers school. Special arrangements were made with the Union Street Railway Co., and the carriage to and fro is made with the least possible delay and discomfort The ex- periment has already proved a success, and the concentra- tion of pupils at the Rogers school is in line with the best educational results.


There are certain disadvantages inherent in the plan of transporting children to school, but by force of circumstan- ces, financial and otherwise, we have been obliged to devise the plan and the advantages from an educational standpoint vastly outweigh any objection.


The Rogers school now accommodates in addition to the pupils of the centre of the town, pupils from Sconticut Neck, Naskatucket, and those above the sixth grade from Oxford, and above the fifth grade from New Boston.


Pupils below the third grade are provided for in the annex.


The condition of the High school building demands con- stant attention. It will have to be newly shingled this year, but at the best it is poorly warmed, poorly ventilated, and the class rooms are very small and poorly arranged. The course of instruction at the High school has been improved, and compares very favorably with that of other towns in the


5


state. There is opportunity for the youth of Fairhaven to secure a good High school education at home, and the num- ber of pupils should increase.


A pleasant and profitable experiment was undertaken by the pupils of the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades of the Rogers school during the last spring months. School gardens were started, some of them with vegetables such as radishes, lettuce, corn, beans, squashes, beets, etc. ; and flowers, marigolds, nasturtiums, etc., etc., were raised. The children did the work, small prizes were offered for the best gardens, it cost the town nothing, and the result was entirely satisfactory. The children were enthusiastic, and the lessons in thrift and taste were valuable. Thanks are due Mr. Peter Murray for advice and assistance.


The Fairhaven School Art club as usual has still further added to the adornment of the schoolrooms. Since its organization considerably over $1,000 has been spent in the schoolrooms through its agency.


At the High school graduation in June, prizes offered by the Alumni association for excellence in English composi- tion were awarded as follows :


First prize - Hubert Ede.


Prize for pupil of two upper grades - Miss Gertrude Ellis.


Prize for pupil of two lower grades-Miss Mildred Gray.




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