USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1883/1884-1886/1887 > Part 13
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54
REPORT OF AUDITORS.
Amounts brought forward, $337 59 8,041 90
P. M. Clarke, services as truant officer, - 8 50
J. T. Mckinstry, labor and material, 5 07
G. F. King & Merrill, books, -
6 00
James H. Ryan, labor,
-
3 00
360 16
S. D. Gordon, teaching,
-
20 00
Cowperthwait & Co., books.
10 00
\V. Ware & Co., books,
7 50
G. S. Stone, labor and material, 60
$8,440 16
Balance to the credit of this account March 1, 1886, Treasurer's balance to this account, 1,833 70
$1,733 70
Error in footing, -
100 00
$1,733 70
CONTINGENT SCHOOLS.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation April 6, 1885, $2,300 00
Books sold, -
46 17
$2,346 17
EXPENDITURES.
Account overdrawn March 1, 1885, $206 25
P. M. Clark :
Painting, material and labor, $231 18
Services as truant officer, 32 92
264 10
William Ware & Co., books and supplies,
209 71
Amount carried forward, $680 06
55
REPORT OF AUDITORS.
Amount brought forward, $680 06
Cowperthwait & Co., books and supplies,
159 00
J. L. Hammett, books and supplies, 156 16
Knight, Adams & Co., books and supplies,
91 14
Michael Farrell, labor and material, 83 61
Michael Egan, painting, 73 63
A. C. Stocking, books, 48 75
Azel Thompson, labor and material,
68 36
Prang Educational Co., supplies, -
48 65
J. J. Oakes :
Rent of office, - - 38 91
Sundries, -
5 39
44 30
J. M. Ammidown :
Labor and material,
35 IO -
Taking school census, - 15 00
50 10
Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & Co., books, 36 80
Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co., books, 34 60
Brown, Thompson & Co., books, -
29 77
J. M. Geer, labor, -
29 70
Whittemore, Couch & Co., blackboard material, 28 39
Leach, Shewell & Sanborn, books, 23 09
Harper & Brothers, books, - 21 00
Joseph Williams, hardware, 19 00
Leonard Cutler, labor and material,
21 38
Ginn, Heath & Co., books,
19 19
William Harper, expressage, postage, etc., 12 86
George L. Winter, hardware,
12 54
J. Booth & Co., labor, material and repairs,
12 78
D. C. Heath & Co., books,
II 20
Herald Publishing Co., printing,
15 40
D. Appleton & Co., books, 10 00
Lee & Shepard, books, 10 65
Amount carried forward, $1,852 II
56
REPORT OF AUDITORS.
Amount brought forward, $1,852 II
Julius S. Gleason, supplies,
9 88
F. M. Ambrose, books, - 9 20
James A. King, repairs and supplies, 8 75
George M. Whitaker, printing,
9 75
J. F. King & Merrill, supplies,
8 43
George H. Hartwell, disinfectants, 7 40
William C. Barnes, supplies,
7 70
William C. Lewis, hardware, -
7 53
W. P. Guy, chairs, 7 38
A. Lovell & Co., books, 6 67
L D. Vinton, teams, -
6 75
William H. Clarke, hardware,
6 17
Margaret Hardy, cleaning,
5 25
M. Crane, supplies, -
5 00
Ruth C. Thompson, cyclopedia, 5 50
Harrison Hume, supplies, - 5 00
Francis O. Letcher, labor,
4 50
Horace Walker. labor and material, -
4 50
Carl Schænhof, books, 7 56
Charles H. Whiting, books, 4 34
A. H. Brown. brooms, 3 50
John J. Bowlen, teams. 3 00
Cheney & Young, slates, -
2 25
J. F. Parker & Son, teams, -
2 25
Henry Holt & Co., supplies,
2 00
Mrs. Horace Walker, cleaning, 2 00
Mrs. John Stone, cleaning, -
2 00
E. S. Northrup, repairs.
I 50
Mrs. Monohan, cleaning, 1 20
Mrs. Kate Powers, cleaning, I 05
J. M. & L. D. Clemence, kindlings, - 35 1
J. A. George, labor, -
1 00
Newton E. Putney, labor, -
75
Samuel Williams, chair, 67
Amount carried forward, $2,013 89
57
REPORT OF AUDITORS.
Amount brought forward, $2,013 89
William Comstock, supplies, 55
Silvanus Hayward, postage, 54
William Harper, expessage, postage, etc., II 04
Paid outstanding orders March 1, 1885, - 53 76
$2,079 78
$266 39
HIGH SCHOOL.
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit this account, March
1. 1885, -
$292 71
Appropriation April 6, 1885. 2,200 00 -- $2,492 71
EXPENDITURES.
S. F. Tower, services teaching, - $1,067 50
Emma S. Bickford, services teaching, 182 00
Evelyn Smalley, services teaching, 150 00 Lucius Ammidown, services, teaching, 130 CO
Clara L. Ham, services teaching, 186 25
Taylor & Farley Organ Co., for organ, 60 00
J. L. Hammett, for books and supplies, 12 08
Prosper Goodbeau, for wood, - 45 62
Leonard Cutler, for labor and material,
25 22
J. M. Geer, care of school, -
43 66
Dresser & Paige, use of hall for graduating exercises, 18 00
Charles M. Morse, for wood, 16 25
Amount carried forward, $1,936 58
58
REPORT OF AUDITORS.
Amount brought forward, $1,936 58
E. M. Rice, for cutting wood, - 30
J. Booth & Co., for curtains and fixtures, 6 85
Congregational Society, book case, 6 00
Morse Brothers, for wood,
-
5 25
George B. Corey, for cutting wood, 3 50
Carl Schænhof, books, 4 50
H. R. Beecher, engrossing diplomas, - 2 00
Fred Rowley, music at graduating exercises, 2 00
P. M. Clarke setting glass, - 1 00
Mary E. Remington, services teaching,
44 00
$2,019 98
Balance to the credit of this account March 1, 1886, $472 73
SCHOOL APPARATUS.
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit of this account March 1, 1885, $112 60
$1I2 60
EXPENDITURES.
J. W. Queen & Co., charts, apparatus, etc., $42 20
E. S. Ritchie & Sons, apparatus, 18 24
D. Appleton & Co., maps, 5 60
Harris, Rogers & Co., maps, 3 25
Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co., maps, 2 50
William Ware & Co., apparatus, -
96
$72 75
Balance to credit of this account March 1, 1886, $39 85
CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
CEMETERY IMPROVEMENTS.
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit this account, March I,
1885, - - $34 09
Appropriation April 6, 1885, 350 00 -
$384 09
EXPENDITURES.
Edwin Bacon, labor, self, men and teams, $460 41
G. A. Cheney, plants, 21 3I
W. H. Clarke, tools, -
13 55
$495 27
Account overdrawn March 1, 1886,
III 18
Order outstanding, Edwin Bacon, 22 25
60
REPORT OF AUDITORS.
ACCOUNTS.
Appropriations and receipts.
Expenditures.
Unexpended.
Deficiency paid
and unpaid
Outstanding.
Appropriations recommended.
Abatement of taxes.
$705 66 75 00
$292 75 $412 91
Army and navy records, Bridges.
453 64
152 SO
330 84
Brook channel near yel
low school house. -
100 00
100 00
111 18
22 52
450 00
Cemetery improvement, Common schools.
10,173 86
8.440 16 1,733 70
Contingent schools.
2.346 17
2,079 78
266 39
1,200 00
Chapin street walk,
509 22
701 75
Chapin street ledge,
100 00
100 00
Contingent.
1,721 32
1.434 49
256 92
1,000 00
Discount on taxes.
5,723 16
4,700 00 1,023 16
4,000 00
Dresser street drain.
100 00
100 00
Decoration day.
111 35
89 92
21 43
100 00
Engine muen.
2.022 00
1,910 00
112 (X)
2,0000 00)
Fire department,
1.121 59
875 08
246 51
00 00
High school.
2.402 71
2.019 98
472 73
1,700 00
Hamilton street walk,
1,100 00
1.049 96
50 04
Haskell road.
350 00
3440 00
10 00)
Highland street.
527 50
262 91
264 59
Hamilton and streets drain,
Hook
200 00
200 00
Highways.
3.189 57
3 .- 73 30
Insurance.
146 8
223 69
76 84
200 00
Interest.
400 00
374 39
25 61
300 00
Lamps and lamp posts.
280 00
237 00
43 00
Ledge near William H. H Cheney's .*
50 00
49 85
15
111
47
41
Marcy street walk, west, Outside poor.
4.172 00)
3.828 69
372 03
3,500 00
Police station.
2-2 27
158 64
93 63
200 00
Pleasant street walk, -
3115 IM)
305 00
.
30 61
450 00
Public library. -
1,926 97
1.758 20
138 77
1,500 00
Railings.
292 72
273 62
19 10
River street repairs. -
900 00
896 20
3 80
Repairs on farm build'gs.
1.100 00
1,013 70
86 30
300 00
Scho I apparatus,
112 60
72 75
39 85
50 00
sidewalks.
691 23
535 49
155 74
300 00
State aid.
534 31
195 00
339 31
270 26
2.000 00
Salaries.
3.200 (M)
2.996 70
203 3
2.500 00
Support of poor,
2 952 14
2.112 04
840 10
1.200 00
Water supply, -
640 00
640 00
640 00
Vinton road,
400 00
369 19
40 $1
$55.194 73 $48,495 15 86215 01 81476 62
$84 93 835.790 00
. ·
·
75 00
$200 00
384 00
495 27
192
53
3,000 00
Marcy street walk. east.
300 00
411 37
561 60
354 31
207 99
62
Printing.
350 00
3SD 61
& dogfund 200 00
Street lights,
2.057 29
2,327 55
* Balance of 15 cents transferred to Highway account.
VALUATIONS.
VALUATION OF THE TOWN FOR 1885.
Valuation of real estate, - -
$2,211,252 03 862,782 44
Valuation of personal estate,
$3,074,034 47
Loss on personal estate,
22,361 06
Gain on real estate, -
-
3,613 03
Total loss, -
$18 748 03
Total tax-State, County and Town,
$48,517 71
Rate of taxation,
14 80
Total number of polls, -
1,51[
Total number of horses,
453
Total number of cows,
431
Total number of sheep,
153
Total number of swine,
96
Total number of dwelling-houses,
796
Total number of acres of land, -
12,109
VALUATION OF CENTER WATCH DISTRICT.
Value of real and personal estate, -
$1,118,856 50 Gain in valuation over 1884, 25,238 50 800 00
Amount raised by taxation, Rate of taxation, 76
REMARKS.
The Chapin street walk account shows unpaid assessments amounting to $242.52. There is a misunderstanding between the Selectmen and the abutters in regard to the amounts of the assessments.
The salary account shows outstanding bills amounting to $509.38. This sum comprises the salary for the Board of Selectmen ; as there was no vote taken at the annual meeting in April, 1885, for the pay of town officers, the Auditors did not feel warranted in approving these bills, but finally concluded to upon being advised by the town counsel.
AUGUSTUS COOK, C. W. JOHNSON, M. J. SURPRENANT, Board of Auditors.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN.
REPORT.
We herewith submit a brief report of our doings the past year, with some suggestions in regard to the highway, sidewalk, and health departments. For details of expenditures we refer you to the several accounts in the auditors' report.
We have endeavored to be as economical in the expenditures committed to our care, as was consistent with obtaining sub- stantial results. It is far more economical to make improve- ments that will be permanent even at an increased cost. Money spent on work of a temporary nature, is thrown away. Do well, or not at all. should be the motto.
The town has made some mistakes in former years, in at- tempting to make extensive improvements with inadequate ap- propriations.
HIGHWAYS.
The highway account has been largely overdrawn, but the ex- penditures are not much larger than last year. This account is entirely at the disposal of the highway surveyor. He is re- sponsible directly to the inhabitants of the town and not to the selectmen, who are not accountable for his acts.
Our relations with the surveyor have been very agreeable, and he is entitled to great praise for the admirable condition in which the outside roads have been kept. But we believe that there is just cause for criticism in the poor condition of the streets within the limits of the villages. These have been
66
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
neglected and do not compare favorably with the streets of for- mer years. In our judgment, the village roads are continually growing worse. Some of the principal ones are noted for their bottomless cradle boles, insurmountable hummocks, and exceed- ingly muddy condition during a storm, and for too long a time afterwards. This state of things can be easily remedied. The improved roads in the out districts are due to the fact that they are repaired earlier in the season. It is next to impossible to receive any great benefit from roads that are repaired late in the fall. All repairs must be made as early as practicable. if the public expects to derive benefit from the outlay.
In order to accomplish the desired result, it is essential that the town elect at least two Surveyors who would be controlled by the Selectmen. The board would have authority to divide the town into two districts, designated as outside and inside districts ; all of the highways could then be repaired early in the season, and the town would have better roads at all times in the year.
CONTINGENT.
The expense of the supposed small pox case, entered largely into the expenditures of this account. We have never been ful- ly satisfied whether it was small-pox or chicken-pox that affect- ed this family, but are inclined to think that it was a mild case of small-pox. Vet when doctors disagree, who can decide. We considered it our duty to take precautionary measures, and pre- vent any possible danger. We made the best contract we could for the use of the pest-house, which to say the least was expen- sive. The town will probably be reimbursed to some extent for expense incurred. We suggest the building of a pest-house. to which we allude again in suggestions relative to the Board of Health.
67
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
SIDEWALKS.
Our sidewalks are in a fairly good condition, with the excep- tion of the p'ank walks on River and Pine streets. These are an expensive nuisance, and in point of casualties, comparable only to a Fredericksburg battle. The town should enter an emphatic protest against further construction of these entangling abominations.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The town has been fortunate in having no very serious fires during the year.
We have nothing but words of praise for the Fire Depart- ment, and believe that it is ably managed, and far above the av- erage in point of efficiency. The inhabitants of Southbridge should endeavor to keep it so by liberal compensation, as well as by encouragement. The fact that we have not been visited by numerous and extensive fires, is no argument against the department.
Assuming that it is in any degree responsible for this happy state of affairs, it would certainly be entitled to great credit, and increased compensation as well. Would-be critics should be ignored, and the firemen awarded the praise they have earned and so richly deserve. Any action that will discourage its members, or any attempt to grind their pay down to a Chi- nese basis, would be ignominious.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
We are of the opinion that the Board of Health is one of the most important offices in the gift of the town, and that a proper attention to its duties requires a great deal of careful study and time. More than one-half of the time expended the past year by the present Board of Selectmen has been given to the
.
68
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Health department. We have, either verbally or by written notice, compelled the cleaning or building of over one hundred sink drains, cesspools and privies.
In our judgment, the Board of Health should be a distinct body, this would relieve the Selectmen from at least one-half of the work that they are now obliged to do. Consequently, the Health Department would receive more attention. It seems to us that viewed in the light of economy, or efficiency, or both, it would be a desirable improvement. There should also be at least one good physician on the board-a practical man, with business qualifications and medical knowledge combined. We recommend the building of a pest-house. The superintendent of the outside poor of this commonwealth informs us that the State will not reimburse a town for any expense incurred for the use of buildings used for a pest-house, as every town is supposed to maintain one. Therefore as a matter of economy, as well as convenience, we make the recommendation.
Nuisance brook with its deathly grin stares us in the face as usual, although in a somewhat cleaner condition than formerly. Early last spring we notified the abutters that they must re- move all sink drains, privies, etc., from the brook; this order was generally complied with, but after a number of cess- pools had been constructed, we came to the conclusion that the cesspools were a far greater nuisance than the brook had been, and therefore decided not to enforce the order. It is far better and more healthy for the contents of sink drains, privies, etc., to enter the brook, and be washed into the river, than to be con. fined and allowed to ferment in cesspools. The time is fast approaching when the town will be obliged to make some pro- vision for its sewage in this locality or suffer the consequences. The fact that a dread epidemic has not already visited us, is no proof that danger is not eminent. By a census carefully taken quite recently, we find that there are two hundred and sixty- three families, with a population of fifteen hundred, who main- tain nearly one hundred and fifty cesspools in the immediate
69
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
vicinity of this brook. This, it seems to us, should be an argu- ment sufficient to convince the most sceptical.
We do not advocate any particular project. What we do say is that there should be some system of sewage established in the vicinity referred to. We think, however, that the line of the brook is the most feasible, the least expensive, and able to answer every purpose for the next twenty-five years. It ought not to be argued that because the project is going to cost some- thing, the town cannot afford to entertain it. The town in all probability will never be in a better condition to meet the ex- pense, and if it is necessary to curtail, we can dispense with a great many improvements that are made merely for conven- ience.
Sewers, if properly constructed, protect the health and pro- long the lives of your children and families. They are therefore of vastly more importance than all other improvements. The care of personal and public health is not merely a question of convenience and comfort, but one which has essentially to do with general prosperity. People that find themselves deprived of health, however much estate they may have, realize that their best capital is embarrassed. Towns, too, that are invaded by an epidemic, by which valuable lives are lost, business paral- yzed, and anxiety caused, soon find by actual money calculation, that the business of the whole community has had a shock. Hence the preservation of the public health has come to have monetary value. It has been proved over and over again that noth- ing is so costly in all ways as disease, and that nothing is so remu- nerative as the outlay which augments health. Persons about to locate in a place, inquire concerning its drainage and its general sanitary conditions; thus the people and the governing au- thorities come to feel that not only must they' show the facilities of their locality for business, but its facility for health.
Those people take a very limited view of the subject, who regard the existence of one or more unsanitary districts as a matter of merely local importance. Influences reach out from those plague spots into all other parts of a town
70
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
with damaging effect ; the residents in every portion of a town are concerned in every other portion. Therefore, let us as a town take heed, and not longer neglect to overcome this great epidemic breeder, a continuation of which may cost us the lives of those most dear.
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS.
At the annual meeting held last April, there was appropri- ated something over four thousand dollars for special improve- ments. With one or two exceptions, the money has been ex- pended. Three hundred and fifty feet of concrete sidewalk were built on the east side of Chapin street, from land of Geo. W. Corey, to land of Joel W. Marble ; also five hundred feet of similar walk on the south side of Hamilton street, between Marcy and Pine streets ; and two hundred on the west side of Marcy street, from land of W. H. Clark, to land of St. Mary's Catholic Society. The town appropriated three hundred dollars for a concrete walk on the east side of Marcy street, from land of John M. Cheney to Hamilton street-three hundred and thirty feet. The sum appropriated was inadequate, but the curbing has been set, gutters laid, and all other necessary prep- arations made for the concrete. We endeavored to be thorough in the construction of these walks; all loam to the depth of eighteen inches was removed, and a solid foundation of gravel laid. We have removed the old plank sidewalk on the south side of Hamilton street, from Pine street west to Main street, and sub- stituted gravel therefor.
Two special appropriations were for new roads. We have built a new road over the land of H. N. Vinton, from the lower road leading to Charlton City, across the brook to the old road. Highland street has also been constructed dur- ing the year. It was built for less than one half of the appro- priation, and is in excellent condition.
The improvement of existing streets by special appropria- tions has not been neglected. The wall on the
7I
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
south side of River street, from the bridge to Mill street, has been relaid, the street widened ten feet on an average, and a substantial iron-post railing built the entire length. These improvements cost about nine hundred dollars. Three hundred and fifty dollars were appropriated for special re- pairs on the road east of the residence of Herbert F. Haskell. The road-bed was changed, and an entirely new road built a dis- tance of three hundred feet or more, which makes a great im- provement. The work was done by Mr. Amasa Haskell. In addition to the above, the town appropriated three hundred and eight dollars to build a new wall on the north side of Pleasant street, and widen this road from the brook to the barn of L. W. Curtis. This work was contracted to Dr. Curtis for the amount appropriated. A sum of one hundred dollars was appropri- ated to remove the ledge on the southerly end of Chapin street; this was contracted to Mr. Geo. W. Wells. Where not other- wise specified, the work on the specific jobs has been done by Mr. A. H. Shepard. In all cases it has been performed in a satisfactory and economical manner, and within the appropria- tions.
The town appropriated one hundred dollars to change the course of the brook north of the residence of M. M. Marble. This sum we found to be inadequate. It will be necessary to appropriate additional money in order to make the improve- ment contemplated by the vote of the town.
We have reported upon these special appropriations under this head that the tax payers may see at a glance what was ap- propriated and how expended. Special appropriations are of the utmost importance, for they determine in a great measure the amount of the yearly taxes. Appropriations for ordinary expenses do not burden the inhabitants to any great extent.
It is the amount appropriated for special purposes that in- creases the rate of taxation. Towns that vote money for every improvement petitioned for, must necessarily expect that their taxes will be increased. "Money makes the mare go," and if the tax payers want her to go, they must open their purses.
72
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
The suit of Morrissey, vs. the town of Southbridge, was an action brought for alleged injuries done the plaintiff's estate, by the relocation of Gilmore street by the County Com- missioners. We believe it to be for the interests of the town, to evade all suits at law if possible, and we endeavored to make an amicable settlement of this suit by offering the plaintiff's coun- sel, what we considered a fair and liberal remunera-
tion. The offer was rejected, and the case
tried, resulting in a verdict in favor of the
town. We are fully satisfied that the plaintiff was persuaded to believe that he was entitled to damages, but he was ill advised, as the decision of the trial shows. In the contingent account are some charges of amounts connected with this suit, which have been refunded by the plaintiff, but do not appear in this report, having been paid since the first of March.
A. H. WHEELER, WM. D. MORSE, JOHN RYAN. Selectmen.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Library Committee.
REPORT.
The Library Committee respectfully submit their Sixteenth Annual Report, for the year ending February 28, 1886:
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand March 1, 1885, $54 88
Appropriation at annual meeting, - 1,500 00 Dog fund for 1884, - 298 08
Received by Librarian for fines, cards, etc.,
74 0I
$1,926 97
EXPENDITURES.
Miss A. J. Comins, librarian, for services and
expenses paid by her, $842 34
Mutual Gas Light Co., for gas, - 167 84
Southbridge Coal Co., for coal, 48 00
Library bureau for supplies, -
18 95
Estes and Lauriat and others for books,
periodicals, and binding, - 663 c9
Amount carried forward
$1,740 22
76
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
Amount brought forward, $1,740 22
Mutual Gas Light Co., for burners, I 30
W. P. Plimpton, fuel, 7 75 -
H. Hobbs, for labor, 3 50
J. Booth & Co., for labor,
5 97
L. Cutler, for labor, - 5 16 -
H. C. Wales, for desk, 2 00
G. M. Whitaker, for printing, -
20 30
Library Bureau for membership fee, $2 00
Balance, 138 77
$ 1,926 97
BOOK ACCOUNT.
Balance to debit of account March 1, 1885, $ 07 Expended during the year, -
663 09 -
$663 16
Appropriation for this account, 700 00
Credit balance,
$36 84
REMARKS.
The annual examination of the Library was made by the Committee on February 22d, and the same was found in satis- factory condition.
The committee would recommend an appropriation of $1,500, and the dog fund for 1885 to defray the expenses for the ensu-
77
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
ing year. We append herewith the report of our Librarian which is made a part of our own.
Respectfully submitted by the Library Committee.
C. D. MONROE, Secretary.
Public Library, March 1, 1886.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
In a discourse recently delivered by the Hon. James Russell Lowell, at the opening of the Free Public Library Building in Chelsea, he remarked "A college education is an excellent thing, but after all, the better part of a man's education is that which he gives himself, and it is for this a good Public Library furnishes the means." It is most gratifying to observe the growing appreciation of our citizens of this function of our Pub- lic Library, and it is also a matter for congratulation that we are so well furnished with works that will directly aid in study and investigation. To meet the growing use of our Library in this direction, the Library Committee have the past year purchased eighteen volumes of the Encyclopædia Britannica, and the re- maining volumes are to be added the ensuing year. There has been much discussion among those having the care of Libraries and Schools, how, not only to prevent the library from becom- ing a positive injury to the School, but to devise means for mak- ing it an actual aid. For several years experiments have been tried in several of our cities in the schools, and with encourag- ing results. To a limited extent, the High and Grammar Schools only being allowed the privilege, the plan has been in operation with us, and the results satisfactory. During the last three months, all of our schools have been allowed this extended privilege. The plan is to issue to teachers for use in school, a limited number of books relating to subjects being taught. These books will give variety and breadth to the knowledge gained, as well as give the teacher opportunity to teach the pu-
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