USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1858-1899 > Part 45
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51 44
L. L. Wheelock, repairing chimney,
7 32
Nathan Towne, sundries, 1 72
A. W. Judson, repair3, 2 60
Field Brothers, coal, 11 14
$129 05
G. B. Williams, cash paid for Kellen's Index Digest,
10 88
4
SERVICES OF TOWN OFFICERS.
Edward Dixon, services as Supt. Schools, 1885-6,
$75 00
Gilbert Gaskill,
" constable, 15 00 66 66 66 " lockup-keeper, 5 00
E. S. Worthen, copy of tax-list, 1885,
15 00
M. M. Aldrich, 6. 66
1886,
5 00
66 66 services as Assessor, 1886,
40 00
James Quigley, 66 66
36 00
Nathan Towne,
66
66 66
35 00
L. Freeman,
Collector, 1885,
65 00
D. Adams,
Town Clerk,
18 45
Martin Thayer,
Constable,
10 00
Austin A. Taft,
Treasurer,
35 00
L. Freeman,
Selectman,
20 00
Albert W. Gaskil!,
66
20 00
G. B. Williams,
66
66
38 00
$432 45
STATE AID PAID PENSIONERS, CHAP. 301, ACTS OF 1879.
John Curley,
$48 00
Abigail Mitchell,
16 00
James McKenna,
56 00
Michael Foley,
36 00
Rufus Hazard,
39 00
Chas. H. Burnham,
18 00
Olive E. Pickering,
8 00
$221 00
PRINTING.
Cook & Sons, town reports for 1886 and tax-list of 1885, $75 00
66 sundries for collector of taxes, 5 50
$80 50
SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS.
Paid School Committee, by eight town orders drawn in their favor,
$2,370 00
REPAIRS OF ROADS.
Paid Road Commissioners, by eight town orders drawn in their favor, $968 45
5
SUPPORT OF POOR. Paid Overseers of the Poor, by ten town orders drawn in their favor, $845 00
THE TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Paid Trustees, three town orders,
$145 00
RECAPITULATION.
Incidentals,
$171 03
Fuel and sundries for Town Hall,
129 05
Town Officers,
432 45
State Aid, Chap. 301,
221 00
Printing,
80 50
Support of Schools,
2,370 00
Roads,
968 45
Poor,
845 00
Library,
145 00
$5,362 48
The Selectmen also report that the liabilities of the town known to them, are as follows :-
Due on bills against the town, estimated,
$20 00
Due town officers, estimated, 145 00
Due school teachers, estimated, 60 00
Due on town bonds, 4,200 00
$4,425 00
The available assets, so far as known, are as follows :- Due from Collector, list of 1886, $77 10
Due from state, aid to pensioners to Jan.1,'87, 205 50
Cash in hands of Treasurer, 1,742 12
$2,024 72
Net indebtedness of the town,
$2,400 28
G. B. WILLIAMS, Selectmen A. W. GASKILL, of Mendon.
I. FREEMAN,
Mendon, Feb. 15, 1887.
COLLECTOR'S REPORT.
LIBERTY FREEMAN, COLLECTOR FOR 1885.
DR.
Balance uncollected, Feb. 17, 1886, $88 77 Interest received, 12 24
$101 01
CR.
By cash paid Treasurer, $90 90 Abatements, 10 11
$101 01
LIBERTY FREEMAN, COLLECTOR FOR 1886.
DR.
Taxes committed for collection,
$6645 30
Additional assessment,
2 00
Interest received,
44 33
$6691 63
CR.
By cash paid Treasurer,
$6142 25
Paid county tax,
453 00
Abatements,
19 28
$6614 53
Balance uncollected, Feb. 19, 1887.
$77 10
ROAD COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
The undersigned, Road Commissioners, respectfully submit the following report for the year ending March 7, 1887 :-
The Commissioners charge themselves with cash received : On town orders, For old plank sold W. H. Swan,
$968 45
3 00
They credit themselves by paying the following bills :
Balance due Commissioners March 1, 1886, $ 38 45
Hugh Crawford, for labor,
25 50
L. P. Cummings, 64 05
Walter A. Gaskill,
69 60
G. A. Staples, 66
72 45
John C. Wood, 66
2 25
C. B. Williams, 66
185 60
E. T. Bates, labor and cash paid as per bill,
108 70
A. W. Gaskill, 66 66
133 86
E. II. Taft, for labor,
6 45
Thomas T. Sculley,
5 10
Peter Morris,
66 two bills,
19 65
T. McKenne,
11 37
H. M. Goldthwait, 66
three bills,
27 52
Frank H. Wood, 66
two bills,
59 96
L. E. Taft. 66
10 20
Thompson Taft,
1 05
S. H. Taft, 66 and cash paid as per bill, 123 90
$965 66
Balance in hands of Commissioners, $5 79
SAMUEL H. TAFT, Road Commissioners ALBERT W. GASKILL, of ELIAS T. BATES, Mendon.
$971 45
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
The Overseers of the Poor submit the following report for the municipal year, ending March 7, 1887:
Lawrence Wilber, Mary Kirby, Dennis Halloran, Mary C. Taft, Edna Allen, Lucretia Albee, Hattie A. McNally, Edna French, the families of Francis R. Scisco, Jennie Davenport, (having a settlement in Mendon), Anna D. Swith (belonging to Uxbridge), the family of James Campbell, (having no settlement in the state), have been wholly or partially supported.
The Overseers charge themselves with the receipt of the fol- lowing named funds belonging to the town:
Balance from account of last year,
$ 6 17
Ten town orders,
845 00
Town of Uxbridge,
52 39
Received for grass on D. Halloran farm
21 50
Received from D. Halloran, cash,
54 15
$ 979 21
The Overseers credit themselves with paying the following amounts:
$182 43
187 85
Dennis Halloran,
107 00
Francis R. Scisco,
97 00
Mary C. Taft,
96 00
Mary Kirby, 86 38
Edna Allen,
78 00
Lucretia Albee,
48 98
Hattie A. Mc Nally,
26 00
Edna French,
4 50
Anna D. Smith,
9 19
Austin A. Taft, wood for tramp house,
1 75
FOR SUPPORT OF
Lawrence Wilber,
Jennie Davenport,
9
Gibert Gaskill, care of tramps, L. Freeman, postage stamps,
88
L. Freeman, services as Overseer of the Poor, 66
33 00
Gilbert Gaskill,
7 00
Edward Dixon, 66 66 66
6 00
$978 56
Leaving a balance in hands of Overseers, $0 65
From the whole amount paid for support of poor, $978 56
Deduct what was due for the support of the paupers to March 1, 1886, $77 62
What has been received from Dennis Halloran, 75 65
What is due from Dennis Halloran, 31 35
What is due from Uxbridge, 9 19
- $193 81
$784 75
Add what will be due for support of paupers to March 7, 1887, 33 75
Cost of supporting the poor for the year ending March 7,1887, $818 50
Respectfully submitted,
LIBERTY FREEMAN, Overseers of the
GILBERT GASKILL,
EDWARD DIXON, Poor.
Mendon, Feb. 19, 1887.
6 60
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
We have examined the accounts of the Selectmen, Treasurer, Overseers of the Poor, Road Commissioners, School Committee and Collector of Taxes of the Town of Mendon, and that of the Treasurer of the Taft Public Library, and find them correctly kept, and with proper vouchers.
JULIUS A. GEORGE, ANDREW W. JUDSON, Auditors.
Mendon, Feb. 21, 1887.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
---
TOWN OF MENDON TO DAVID ADAMS-DR.
To express paid on Massachusetts Reports and other public documents, $2 70
To cash paid Sanford & Co., blank book, vol. 9. for records, 6 00
35
To express on same,
To postage paid on election, registration and other returns during the year, 30 To cash paid for stationery, 25
$9 60
To services as clerk of the Board of Regis- trars, $3 00
To services state election and Clerks' meet- ing ( 2 days), 4 00
To recording, indexing and returning 16 births, 8 00
To recording, indexing and returning 3 marriages,
45
To recording, indexing and returning 15 deaths, 3 00
$18 45
Cash received for Dog Licenses during 1886.
Male dogs, 53, Female dogs, 7,
$106 00
35 00
Less Clerk's fees,
$141 00 12 00
Balance paid County Treasurer,
$129 00
12
BIRTHS REGISTERED IN 1886.
1886. DATE.
NAME OF CHILD.
Jan. 24
Caroline Wheeler,
Feb. 2I
Lillian Lizzie Barrows,
Feb.
Caroline Staples Wood,
Mar. 30 Charles Stephen Kelley,
Apr. 21
Berton Genett Brown,
Apr.
18 Raymond Lee Whitney, Walter Lucius Lowell,
May 19
Rosa Wheeler,
July 19 Bertie Leroy Moores,
Aug. 30 Carrie Edith Daniels,
Oct. 23 Louise Jane Curliss,
Oct. 30 Foster Howard Wood,
Nov. 18 Carroll Forbes White,
Nov.
23 Clare Williams,
Charles B. and Ada A. Williams. Leonard E. and Susan M. Taft.
Alderman C. and Susan I. Cook.
MARRIAGES REGISTERED IN 1886.
DATE
NAME OF GROOM AND BRIDE.
RESIDENCE.
May 29
Walter M. Newhall,
Mendon.
Jennie B. Everton,
Bellingham.
Frank Elliot Barrows,
Mendon.
Ellen Elizabeth Munger,
Mendon.
Dec. 26 .6
Frank Clayton Wood,
Mendon.
Jennie Elliott Gaskill,
Mendon.
DEATHS REGISTERED IN 1886.
DATE
NAME OF DECEASED.
AGE
RESIDENCE.
Jan. 19 1886.
Solomon Pratt,
88
Mendon.
Feb. 21
66
Zalmon G. Wood,
74
May 8
Seth T. Staples,
67
May 3
Lydia Briggs.
71
66
May 19 66
Lillian L. Barrows,
88
66
July 4
Mary A. Curliss, 57
65
66
Aug. 10
Rhoda Hill,
70
Aug. 23 66
Peter Byrne,
50
Sept. 1
66
Mabel R. Taft,
1
Brooklyn.
Sspt. 4
William L. Young,
73
66
Sept. 18
Arthur M. Albro,
-
Nov. 26
Phebe Pickering,
90
Dec. 21
66
Hollis Pond,
80
66
DAVID ADAMS, Town Clerk.
Mendon, Feb. 15, 1887.
William D. and Sarah J. Kelley. Henry W. and Abbie N. Brown.
Arthur N. and Ada L. Whitney. Lucius and Alice Lowell.
May 13
Lyman E. and Susan I. Wheeler. Henry and Emeline J. Moores. Leon and Mary M. Daniels.
Samuel A. and Amelia M. Curliss. Edwin F. and Annie H. Wood. Carroll E. and Annie I. White.
Dec. 23 Lulu Elizabeth Taft,
Dec. 26 Anna Maria Cook,
NAME OF PARENTS.
Frederick M. and Arabella Wheeler. Alfred I. and Lizzie A. Barrows. Frank H. and Sarah J. Wood.
66
66
May 30 66
Lucretia Albee,
July 26
Owen Cunningham,
66
Nov. 3 1886. 66 66
TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY.
SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE TAFT
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Trustees have but little to add to the very full report of the Librarian which appears herewith. The Librarian has dis- charged the duties of her office the past year, as heretofore, in a manner highly satisfactory to all, and her services have been se- cured for the ensuing year.
The Library continues to be a source of pleasure and profit to those who avail themselves of the facilities it affords. The books were examined Feb. 8, 1887, and found to be all accounted for, and in satisfactory condition. The library was re-opened Feb. 12.
The thanks of the citizens are extended, by this Board, to all who have donated books, magazines, or pamphlets to the Library, during the past year.
The demand for shelf room for the increasing number of books has been temporarily met the past year by encroaching upon the room devoted to town officers, but the Trustees would call the attention of the town to the fact that a permanent increase of room for library purposes should be furnished in the near future.
The Trustees recommend an appropriation of one hundred and fifty dollars for the use of the Library the ensuing year.
JULIUS A. GEORGE, HORACE C. ADAMS, GUSTAVUS B. WILLIAMS, WILLIAM J. TAFT, FRANK H. WOOD,
Trustees Taft Public Library.
Mendon, Feb. 19, 1887.
14
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
TO TIIE TRUSTEES OF THE TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Agreeably to the by-laws, I herewith submit my report for the library year, ending Feb. 5, 1887.
The library opened for the delivery of books Feb. 13, 1886. The circulation for the year was 4,058. The library now contains 2,354 volumes, of which 97 have been added the past year. Of the latter, 68 were purchased and 29 donated.
The books donated came from the following sources: Rev. C. A. Staples, 11; estate of Henry E. Staples, deceased, 5; Hon. Henry B. Peirce, 6; Dept. of Interior, 2; Mendon Agricultural Library, 1. Pamphlets were also received from various sources. The Manifesto, Traveler's Record, and Union Signal have been sent for a part of the year. Harper's Magazine for 1885 was given by Julius A. George, and The Century for 1885 by Nathan R. George. These have since been bound in four volumes.
Few catalogues have been sold this year. Many of the patrons of the library have no catalogue and consequently do not know of the many valuable and interesting books to be found on the shelves. All the books are in, and in general, are in good condi- tion. None have been lost during the year. A few need rebind- ing. Some books have been soiled more than seems necessary, and leaves of others turned down. Fines for the detention of books, and cards sold amount to $8.53.
The circulation was as follows :-
Agriculture,
16 | Poetry, 71
Biography,
156
Miscellaneous, 94
History,
240
Novels, 2,853
Travel,
147
Periodicals, 440
Educational,
41
Largest daily circulation,
102
Smallest
58
Average 66
79
The number of borrowers during the year was 275. The libra- ry has been opened 52 days. Many of these have been stormy, which may account for a small part of the decrease of the circula- tion from last year. Most of the books borrowed have been circulated through the Centre and North end. Very few have been carried into other parts of the town and the reason given for this is the distance and stormy Saturdays.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. DUDLEY,
Librarian.
Mendon, Feb. 7, 1887.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
The undersigned, Treasurer of the Trustees of the Taft Public Library, respectfully submits the following report for the year ending Feb. 8, 1887.
DR.
Cash on hand,
$7 63
rec'd on three town orders,
145 00
" of M. E. Dudley, for fines, etc.,
8 53
$161 16
CR.
Cash paid G. B. Williams, for book,
$3 75
66
W. B. Clark & Carruth, for books,
60 75
66
66 Martin Garrison & Co., " 66
17 00
66 Cook & Sons, labels and paper,
6 75
66 F. M. Marcy, binding books,
5 83
66
66 M. E. Dudley, sundries, etc.,
3 20
66 66 6 services as Librarian,
50 00
Cash on hand,
13 88
$161 16
HORACE C. ADAMS, Treasurer.
Mendon, Feb. 14, 1887.
Examined, found correct, and with proper vouchers.
G. B. WILLIAMS, for Auditors.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE
TOWN OF MENDON.
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1887-8.
MILFORD, MASS .: G. M. BILLINGS, PRINTER, GAZETTE OFFICE.
1888.
Names and Residences of Teachers
Employed in the Public Schools of Mendon for the School Year ending March 1, 1888 :-
Mr. Hill Williams,
Mendon.
Mr. James Nichols,
Millville.
Miss Mary E. Dudley,
Mendon.
Miss Mary L. Aldrich,
Mendon.
Miss M. Elsie Hill,
Mendon.
Miss Annie W. Gaskill,
Mendon.
Mrs. Mary A. Barrows,
Mendon.
Miss Jennie L. Goodrich,
Milford.
Miss Eva A. Rich,
Blackstone.
Miss H. Josie Davis,
Blackstone.
LIST OF TEXT-BOOKS IN USE.
Arithmetic-White's. Algebra-Greenleaf's. Chemistry- Hooker's. Civil Government-Townsend's. Drawing-Eclectic. Dictionary-Webster's, Worcester's. English Literature-Swin- ton's. Geography-Harper's. Grammar-Harvey's. Geometry- Wentworth's. History-Stone's, Scott's. Latin-Harkness'. Physics-Norton's. Physical Geography-Warren's. Physiolo- gy-Brown's, Barnes', Eclectic. Penmanship-Eclectic. Rhet- oric-Kellogg's. Reader-Franklin. Speller-McGuffey's.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The following report of the school expenditures for the mun- icipal year is respectfully submitted :-
DR.
Seven town orders,
Cash in Home National Bank,
$2,363 00 116 61
$2,479 61
CR.
Teachers' wages, fuel and care of rooms,
$1,888 90
School books and supplies,
213 91
Incidentals,
264 44
Cash in Home National Bank,
112 36
$2,479 61
TEACHERS' WAGES, FUEL AND CARE OF ROOMS.
J. Q. Hayward, old bill,
$123 00
A. May Townes,
40 00
Hill Williams,
$210 00
James Nichols,
261 00
Mary E. Dudley,
214 50
Mary L. Aldrich,
210 00
Mary A. Barrows,
200 00
Annie W. Gaskill,
210 00
M. Elsie Hill,
174 00
Eva Rich,
66 00
Jennie L. Goodrich,
60 00
W. W. Nelson, for fuel,
18 00
Frank H. Wood, «
24 50
Liberty Freeman, " 66
2 40
Frederick Bates, "
17 25
J. G. Barrows, fnel and fitting,
9 75
Austin A. Taft, 6
20 50
A. T. Dixon, care of fires,
6 00
J. G. Barrows, 66
2 00
Mrs. J. G. Barrows, care of fires,
2 00
Frederick Bates,
1 00
Annie W. Gaskill, 66
3 00
$163 00
4
W. E. Dixon, care of coal fire, etc., $2 50
Dixon boys, for sawing wood, 8 00
4 barrels of shavings, 50
Ann Quigley, for cleaning rooms, No. 2, 3 00
$1,725 90
INCIDENTALS.
E. L. Smith, for use of well, $ 7 00
H. A. Aldrich, postage,
2 50
C. A. Copeland, supplies,
6 79
Frederick Bates,
and labor,
2 20
Harrison Hume,
3 53
Adams & Ingraham, “
2 80
Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co., supplies,
6 72
King & Merrill. supplies, globe and dictionary, 21 87
and labor, 11 75
Frank H. Wood, 66 Albeeville school, 105 43
A. P. Scribner,
10 30
H. W. Brown,
on three clocks, 2 00
A. W. Judson, and labor, 2 62
35 00
Edward Dixon, as school-book agent, etc., 66 fare to Boston,
2 00
J. G. Barrows, cash paid,
75
F. M. Ambrose, for dictionary,
7 50
Walter E. Ballou, labor,
1 40
W. E. Dixon, labor and for census, No. 2,
4 50
Bartlett & Ellis, supplies,
2 10
Hill Williams. labor and supplies,
1 10
J. F. Hickey, supplies,
6 00
A. Lovell & Co.,
7 78
D. Appleton & Co., supplies,
10 80
$264 44
EDWARD DIXON, Treasurer of School Committee.
FRANK H. WOOD, Chairman, EDWARD DIXON, Secretary, W. W. NELSON, J. G. BARROWS, FREDERICK BATES,
School Committee,
SCHOOL BOOK AGENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MENDON :-
Gentlemen: I herewith submit the school book account for the year.
DR.
To Books and supplies on hand, $ 57 08
To Books and supplies purchased this year, 213 91
$270 99
CR.
By books and supplies furnished :-
High school,
$92 52
Grammar school,
51 53
Primary school,
21 75
North school,
34 40
South school,
23 99
East school,
9 44
West school,
8 14
Albeeville school,
8 36
C. D. Albro, M. D., Physiologies,
15 00
Practice paper,
60
Books and supplies on hand,
5 26
$270 99
EDWARD DIXON, Agent.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
RESOURCES.
Town appropriation,
$1500 00
Income from state school fund,
210 02
Income from dog tax,
121 31
Received for out of town scholars,
7 25
Balance in treasury, last report,
81 21
$1,919 79
EXPENDED.
Teachers' wages, fuel, and care of rooms,
$1,725 90
Teachers' wages unpaid,
180 00
Apparatus from state school fund,
10 80
Balance in treasury,
3 09
$1,919 79
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Your Superintendent begs leave to respectfully submit his annual report of the public schools, to the citizens of Mendon :-
Having recently come into your midst, and being unac- quainted with the teachers, and unfamiliar with the condition and standard of the schools in the past, much time has been necessa- rily consumed in becoming familiar with the condition and work- ings of each school, to determine their individual needs, and to know how to accomplish the most work in the best man- ner, in the short time allotted us for work. I observed in some of the schools a great lack of discipline, and a want of thorough- ness in the pupils' work, the latter being due, not necessarily, nor altogether, to the fault of the teachers of the preceding year, but undoubtedly due, in a great measure, to the fact of not being started right in their early training. The old maxim, "As the twig is bent so the tree 's inclined," proves true in a forcible manner in connection with the pupils of our schools. The im- pressions which a child receives from the teacher on entering school for the first time, and during the first term of their school life, and the instructions and training, or the lack of proper in- structions and want of training-for the latter will often cling to the child more closely than the former-of that teacher, will follow the child all through its school life, and doubtless beyond that, even all through their after walks in life. How important, then, it is that children should have teachers who will start them right and give them the right training in the first part of their school life.
What care, what discretion, what keen foresight should those have whose duty it is to procure teachers for the first training of our children in the schools; not to secure the services of those who simply desire to teach, or from the necessity of earning something, or who make teaching a stepping-stone-I was about to say, to something higher; is there any vocation higher than that of the true teacher ?- to some other avenue in life, or who will teach for less wages, but in order to secure the very best teachers, not those who have intellectual attainments only, but who also have an aptitude for teaching, who love the work, and one of the best qualifications, as well as necessary, those who
7
love children. And in order to accomplish all this, how impor- tant that the parents, and those who have the financial part of our schools in their hands, be so impressed with the importance and the value of giving to their children proper educators and right training, and of the necessity of providing sufficient means where- by the very best teachers can be secured, for a fair and reasona- able compensation, and thus be enabled to retain the best teach- ers term after term, and also to increase the number of weeks' schooling in the year. One of the greatest detriments to our schools is the constant change of teachers which occurs, and which seems to be, but which ought not to be, necessary in a ma- jority of cases. There has been but little cause for change in teachers during the past year, but where it has been necessary, such changes, in nearly every case, if not in every one, have been attended by good results, and, in some cases, a very marked im- provement in the condition, character and progress of such schools. The present arrangement which exists in relation to Superintendent and Committee, in connection with the duties of each, which are so much divided between them, causes some con- fliction which cannot necessarily be avoided under existing cir- cumstances, and is a detriment to the best workings of the schools. If the Superintendent could receive a salary which would enable him to devote more time and attention to school work, and assume the burden of the duties of such office, a great- er amount of, and very much better work could be accom- plished in a given time.
Most of the schools are in good condition, and some of them in excellent condition, and as far as I am able to judge, they are in much better condition for good work the coming year than they were at the beginning of this year. Many of the teachers have labored hard, and have accomplished much and efficient work in their respective schools, and some of them have had hard, up-hill work and many obstacles to surmount and many difficulties to contend with, which has required great perseverance and for- titude on their part; but by persistent effort they have risen above them all.
We are gratified to see that much attention has been given to some of the common branches, which are much neglected so often by many teachers. Writing has received good attention, and in many cases good progress has been made and, as a general thing, the books quite neatly kept. In some cases a fine taste for drawing has been manifested. Reading has received good atten- tion, as a general thing, but this is one of our most neglected branches in the common schools, and should receive still greater and more marked attention at the hands of our teachers. It is not sufficient that there is the right quantity of reading, nor that a good variety of the best reading in quality is furnished our teachers, but it requires to be taught, not alone in a mechanical manner, (for that produces too many parrot-like, expressionless readers,) but to be thoroughly taught, as any other branch is
8
taught. Much thorough systematic drilling, tact and energy, and a good ear is requisite on the part of the teacher. It may be that as fine and delicately trained an ear for reading is as neces- sary on the part of the teacher as is required in music, in order to teach reading well. In order for a pupil to become a good reader it is necessary, in the first place, for that pupil to have such subjects placed before him to read as he understands, or can be made to understand, corresponding to his ability to grasp the subject. If he does not understand it, or if the ideas are beyond his comprehension, no amount of drilling, or of repetition, will make him a good reader, for his reading will be expressionless, lifeless, and without the understanding of, and the ability to con- vey the author's meaning and the expression. While it may be called reading, it is only repetition, and the teacher has labored al- most in vain and failed to teach reading. It is necessary, then, that the teacher herself should be thoroughly imbued with the idea and the spirit of the subject before she attempts to teach it, for by so doing she can save much lost labor, there will be much better economy of time, and she can save a vast amount of labor and time spent in drilling on the proper pauses in reading; for when the child grasps the idea completely, so as to give a clear understanding and proper expression, he will read naturally and the correct panses will take care of themselves, just as well as in one's speaking.
The attention of the teachers has been called to the morals of the children during intermission, and especially upon the play- ground. There is much need of this, as there is a lack of good morals, especially the choice of language, about the school- grounds, and it is not only necessary, and the duty of the teacher, but very important that the teachers should have a careful and closer oversight of the children during the inter- missions. The evil of profanity, we fear, must be admitted to be an increasing one, especially among children, and we have observed how astonishingly and sadly prevalent this habit is among school-children, and among those of a very tender age. It is an evil to be sadly deplored, and one which our teachers and school boards should earnestly strive to uproot. This could be more easily prevented in connection with the Centre schools, as well as an advantage to these schools in many other respects, if a uniform arrangement was made in connection with these schools, so as to have the teacher in the higher department have a general oversight and supervision of all the schools in session in the building.
Another item of some importance, though perhaps not to the progress of the schools, is a lack of hitching-posts, which are much needed at nearly all of the schools.
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