USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1913-1916 > Part 21
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89 Soda fountains, 1
Bowls,
107 Dentist Spittoon, 1
Number of inspections made during year.
Water tests,
97
Final tests,
124
Other inspections,
120
Number of houses connected with sewers or cess- pools during year.
With sewers,
Old-houses, 39, New houses, 20
With cesspools,
Old houses, 7, New houses, 18
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT B. BROWN,
Inspector of Plumbing.
Annual Report
of the
FIRE ENGINEERS
The board of fire engineers submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1913. Giv- ing the manual force, together with a list of the prop- erty owned by the department, a record of rescources and money expended, also value of property endan- gered when box alarms were given, loses, insurance paid and losses not covered by insurance.
We have had 25 calls in all, 15 box alarms, 3 general alarms, and 10 still alarms or chimney fires.
Value of property endangered, still alarms not in- cluded, $81,040.00, losses $16,448.00, insurance paid $15,079.00, losses not covered by insurance $1,369.00.
Rollcall of Department
Joseph E. Duchesneau, Chief.
George W. Laughnane, Louis Lamothe,
Willard J. Claflin, John J. Hogan, Clerk.
STEAMER COMPANY NO. 1.
Joseph A. Brouillette,
Captain
Isidore Duchesneau, Lieutenant
278
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
Newton E. Putney, Clement Potvin, Alfred Langevin,
Engineer Assistant Engineer Stoker
HOSEMEN
Ferdinand Lemoine,
Michael F. Maloney,
Hormisdas Duplessis
Joseph Lafleche,
Adelard Delage,
Arthur Durocher Michael Birmingham Joseph Ford John B. Bouchard Henry Gurl
SUBSTITUTES.
Henry Desaulniers, Napoleon Garceau
HOOK AND LADDER NO. 1
Joseph Lucier, Capt.
Leandre Couture,
Henry M. Lusignan,
Alfred Boucher,
George A. Larochelle,
Joseph Morin, Lieut. Olivier Paul Philias Dufault John B. Casavant Origene Lacasse
SUBSTITUTES
Alfred F. Duplessis, Narcisse Peloquin
STEWARD NO. 1 HOUSE John B. Lippe
STEAMER COMPANY NO. 2.
James Pollard, Edward Splaine,
George Simpson,
John Splaine, William Walters,
Captain Lieutenant Engineer Assistant Engineer Stoker
HOSEMEN
John L. Splaine, Louis Brunell,
George Largess Hector Collette
-
279
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
Joseph Dufault, William J. Fitzpatrick,
Adelard Dumas John Mallison
SUBSTITUTES.
Nelson Allard,
Richard Morrissey, Jr.
HOOK AND LADDER NO. 2
John Brennan, Capt.
John W. Smythe,
Hosea Weld, Lieut. Patrick May
Joseph Power,
Napoleon Loranger
Charles Wright,
Edward McGrath,
Corliss Boucher Frank J. Walsh
SUBSTITUTES
William R. Farquhar, Louis E. Farland
STEWARD NO. 2 HOUSE Joseph Lariviere
LIST OF PROPERTIES
2 steamers, 2 hook and ladder trucks fully equipped. 2 hand hose reels, 1 combination chemical and hose wagon fully equipped, 1 hose reel wagon, 1 racing cart, 3,950 feet of hose in good condition, 14 nosils and 5 six-gallon hand chemicals.
List of Fires
Jan. 5-Box 34, alarm at 6.30 a. m., general alarm, recall at 7.20 a. m. Fire in the house and barn owned by F. X. Lariviere, Hamilton street, cause unknown, damage $2,823. Insured.
Jan. 8-Box 49, alarm at 6.41 p. m., recall at 6.48 p. m. Fire in the house owned by H. A. Morse, 46
280
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
Worcester, street, caused by defective chimney, no damage.
Feb. 27-Box 38, alarm at 12. 10 a. m., general alarm, recall at 12.40 a. m. Fire in the store house owned by the Central Optical Co., Elm street, cause unknown, loss $819. Insured.
March 2-Box 46, alarm at 7.45 p. m., recall 7.55 p. m. Fire in the house owned by Alfred Morton, North street, caused by defective chimney, no damage.
March 19-Box 38, alarm at 12.20 a. m. Fire in store owned by M. P. O'Shaughnessy, Elm street, caused by overheated stove, loss $1,400. Insured.
Mar. 31-Box 37, alarm at 4.25 a. m., recall 5 a. m. Fire in the house owned by F. A. Costello, Cha- pin street, caused by defective fire place, loss $4,816. Insured.
April 5 .- Box 47, alarm at 6.05 p. m., recall at 6.15 p. m. Fire in the house owned by H. A. Morse, 46 Worcester street, caused by sparks from chimney, loss $25.00. Insured.
April 8 .- Box 27, alarm at 10.55 a. m., recall at 11.10. Fire in the house owned by A. R. Webster, Oakes avenue, caused by sparks from chimney, loss $600. Insured.
May 5. Box 45, alarm at 6.40 p. m., general alarm, recall at 7.30 p. m. Fire in the house owned by Norbert Bourdeau, Mechanic street, caused by sparks from chimney. loss $3,100. Insured.
May 10. Box 28, alarm at 11.20 a. m., recall at
11.40 a. m. Fire in the house owned by John B. Proulx, Cross street, caused by defective fire place, loss $140. Insured.
281
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
June 4-Box 38, alarm at 7.30 a. m., recall at 7.50 a. m. Fire in the house owned by J. K. Egan, Crescent street, caused by an overheated stove, loss $175. Insured.
July 4-Box 26, alarm at 7.30 p. m., recall at 7.45 p. m. Fire in the house owned by Gelas St. Onge, Mill street, caused by fire cracker, loss $10. Insured.
July 7-Box 72, alarm at 10.30 a. m., recall at 11 a. m. Fire in the baker shop owned by Eustachis Barbieri, Golf street, loss $423. Insured.
Aug. 25-Box 27, alarm at 11 a. m., recall at 11.15 a. m. Fire in house owned by J. K. Egan, High street, caused by defective chimney, loss, $90. Insured.
Nov. 19-Box 27, alarm at 3.20 p. m., recall at 3.30 p. m. Fire in the house owned by J. K. Egan, 37 High street, caused by rats and matches, loss $50. Insured.
Financial Statement
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit of account
Jan. 1, 1913, $1,135 99
Appropriation, 3,000 00
Sale of copper, not entered in 1913 report, 29 00
$4,164 99
EXPENDITURES.
Southbridge Coal Co., coal,
$644 30
282
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
Marble's Express, horses, $455 25 Freight and cartage, 2 78 $458 03
The C. C. C. Fire Hose and Rubber Co., 500 feet of hose, 405 00
Charles Proulx, horses, $260 00 Team hire for still alarms, 61 50
321 50
G. C. Winter, Put- nam boiler as per contract, $285 00
Supplies, 20 63
305 63
Webster & Southbridge Gas & Electric Co., lights, 259 80
Southbridge Electrical Contract- ing Co., labor and supplies,
162 90
Edmund Richard, horses, 150 00
C. Stewart & Son, labor and supplies, 140 09
The Edwards Co., caps, rubber coats and boots, 118 25
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.,rental and tolls, 88 49
Mederic Duhamel, horses,
75 00
Star Electric Co., labor and ex- penses, testing fire alarm system, 71 08
Combination Ladder & R. I.
Coupling Co., supplies, 44 73
Wm. J. Kelly, care of fire alarm
283
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
system,
$44 50
Charles Roberts, horses,
39 75
Shippee Bros., horses,
28 25
Consolidated Electric Lamp Co., lamps,
25 50
Southbridge Roofing Co., labor,
16 84
Frank J. Jarvis, labor repairing ladders,
15 30
W. C. Lewis, supplies,
11 27
A. R. Webster, teams,
10 00
Emanuel Lauziere, labor,
25
West Disinfectant Co., supplies,
8 75
J. Renault & J. Belanger, re- moving ashes,
8 00
John J. Hogan, chim-
ney fires, $7 20
Sundry expenses, 40
7 60
Louis Lamothe, labor repairing engine, 7 55
Gabree Bros .. supplies,
7 50
H. W.Searle, 1 bbl. soda bycard,
7 00
W. J. Fitzpatrick, supplies,
5 35
The Gamewell Fire Alarm &
Telephone Co., supplies, 5 35
"Alex. Langevin, 1 cord wood,
5 00
Central Mills Co., waste,
5 00
W. G. Reed, M. D., profes- fessional services, . 5 00
H. L. Bedard, rubber boots, 4 50
Southbridge Press, letter heads, 4 25
A. O.Co., supplies, . 4 00
284
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
A. L. Desaulniers, brooms, $3 50
P. Renaud, supplies,
2 70
M. Egan & Son, glass, 2 60
E. L. Gay, labor and supplies,
2 25
T. J. Brennan Co., suppers,
1 75
J. C. Sundgreen, labor, 1 70
W. J. Lamoureux & Co., sup- plies, 1 50
George Largess, labor,
1 50
C. J. Potvin, labor on boiler,
1 50
Philias Dufault, labor,
1 25
Adams Express Co., express,
1 15
Lemelin & Lucas, labor,
1 00
Joseph Mandeville, wood,
1 00
George H. Hartwell, supplies,
75
$3,574 64
Balance to credit of account Jan. 1, 1914,
$590 35
Since closing our books we have purchased 500 feet of D. J. K. hose, making a total of 1,000 feet of D. J. K. hose bought within a year. We also bought five search lights for engineer's use to replace the old out of date lanterns and three hand fire extinguishers, which will be of valuable service in handling small fires, in short we have equiped the department as good as our resources would permit and while the number of fires were not as numerous as in some years past, still there were many calls. We installed a new Putnam heater in the Globe Village engine house as the old one that was in there since the house was built gave out. The two boilers on the steamers had to be repaired and we
285
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
are pleased to report that the apparatus is in first class condition. We expect the new Automobile Com- bination Chemical and Hose Wagon soon and feel that it will fill a long felt want.
We have also completed a deal whereby we get two new N. I. fire alarm boxes for the town.
We recommend an appropriation of $3,800.00 for next year. We thank the firemen for their obedience and good work, the owners and drivers of horses for the services rendered and respectfully ask the people of the town to use more discretion in pulling in alarms for chimney fires as it means expense and on some occa- sions in the past we were putting out the fires when the alarm was given.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH E. DUCHESNEAU, Chief. GEORGE W. LAUGHNANE, LOUIS LAMOTHE, WILLARD J. CLAFLIN, JOHN J. HOGAN, Clerk,
.
Annual Report
of the TAX COLLECTOR
1913 TAXES
Assessors' warrant, Excise tax, Additional taxes,
$152,908 04
1,427 81 1,146 71
Collected to Jan. 1, 1914,
135,360 05
$20,122 51
Collected from Jan. 1, to Feb. 10, 1914,
8,182 15
Balance uncollected, $11,940 36
Interest collected to Feb. 10, 1914,
115 97
Balance uncollected, 1911 taxes,
42 81
1912 TAXES
Balance uncollected Oct. 1, 1913, $5,302 19
Collected to Feb. 10, 1914, 2,905 92
Balance uncollected, $2,396 27
Unpaid Poll Taxes
Armestrong, Byron 23 South st
$155,482 56
288
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
Arpin, Hector J. Bachand, Joseph Barnes, William J. Belanger, Joseph Belanger, Hector Benoit, David Blackburn, Howard
Boisvert, George
Bashion, George
Boucher, J. Bte.
Breault, Calixte Brennan, Wm. P.
Brennan, William
Brousseau, Clement Brousseau, Henry
Carey, John Caron, Alfred
Carriere. Amedee
Chapdelaine, Hermingile Champagne, Paul
Cloutier, Henri Collette, Camille Comearford, Michael J. Congdon. William J. Carriveau, Joseph
Cranston, Arthur S.
Crawford, Wm. J. S. Cullen, Harry Dalbec, George Danforth, Charles Dauphinais, Lucien, Jr. Delage, J. Bte.
12 Worcester st 63 Everett st 34 Hamilton st 9 Snow st 92 Hamilton st 10 Benoit st 34 Hamilton st Paige hill 4812 Mechanic st Beach st 3 Wardwell ct W. Main st 34 W. Main st Morton ct 6 Charlton st 180 Main st 182 Main st 9 Snow st 26 Dean st 74 Mechanic st Pleasant st 43 Mill st Pleasant st 3812 Chapin st 13 School st 183 Main st 75 South st Shuttleville 10 School st 13 Coombs st 7 Snow st 5 Wardwell ct
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
289
Dennis, Pierre
Desrosiers, Elzear Donoghue, T. J.
Dragon, Herminigile Dufault, Joseph N. Dumas, William Duquette, Elie D.
Duquette, Telesphore Farquhar, John R. Fero, Nicholas, Jr.
Fero. Nicholas, Fontaine, Alfred
Foote, Edward W.
Gaulin, Thomas Gauthier, Camille Geer, Frank H. Girard, Amedie Golly, John Wright, George L. Gallagher, Frank Harwood, Minol Healy, Richard Hebert, Frank Hitchen, Henry Hogan, John E. Houle, William Houde, Charles Jacques, Winsor T. Jalbert, Dieudonne Johnson, William Jordan, Charles Keough, Thomas J.
1
170 Main st 69 Mechanic st 198 Main st 39 Lens st 17 Mill st 180 Main st 27 Union st 2 Charlton st 612 Lens st 46 W. Main st 46 W. Main st 12 Morris st Goddard st 21 Morris st Worcester st 18 Hamilton st 99 Hamilton st 24 Main st Fairlawn 8 Ashland ave 41 Plimpton st 8 Ashland ave 5 Morton ct 10 Ashland ave 12 Brick row 10 Eastford rd 87 Worcester st 85 Pleasant st 20 North st 9 Elm st 5 Morton ct 5 Brick row
290
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
Laberge, Emile Lachapelle, Narcisse Lafortune, Edward Laliberte, Joseph Lamoureux, Jos. A. Lamothe, Nazaire Lamothe, Henry, Jr., Langevin, Arthur Langevin, Louis
Langevin, Geoffrey
Langevin, George H. Lapierre, Leo Larochelle, Noe Lavallee, Albert, Jr. Lavallee, Josephat
Leduc, James Lefebvre, Arthur
Lescarbeau, Alexis
Lippee, Anthime
Loiseau, Amable Lucier, Ernest Maloney, John J.
Marcotte, Aldolphe
Martel Charles Mathieu, Omer McCloud, George E.
McDonald, Joseph McGrath, Michael McKinszie, William McKlin, Joseph Menard, Frank Minns, William F.
85 Worcester st Brookside 88 Mechanic st 23 North st 74 Mechanic st 2312 Worcester st 85 Worcester st Clark st off Litchfield ave 38 Mechanic st Fairlawn 12 Pine st 43 Worcester st 1 off West st River st 87 Worcester st 37 Lens st 54 North st 35 Crystal st 1 Mill st 10 Thomas st 55 Dresser st 31 Union st 2 Onley st Shuttleville Fairlawn 48 Plimpton st 10 Central st Oakes ave 2 Elm st Charlton st 75 Mechanic st
291
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
Montminy, Alfred Morrissey, Lawrence T. Moynihan, Humphrey J. Murphy, Arthur Murphy, Dennis Normandin, George Paulhus, Elie
Paulhus, Dieudonne
Peloquin, Narcisse
Peloquin, Pierre 2nd
Perrigard, Joseph Plante, Ernest A.
Porrier, Bernard
Porrier, Michael
Potvin, John B.
Powers, John
Powers, J. Powers, William . Prince, George Provost, Isidore Rielly, James Renaud, Francois X.
Renaud, William
Renaud, George E.
Renaud, Joseph, Jr.
Renaud, Francois X., Jr.
Rice, Raymond A. Ringuette, Philippe Savaria, Louis Senecal, Henry Seymour, Frank A. Sharon, Wilfrid
66 Mill st 17 Canal st 93 Hamilton st 2 Hamilton st Fiske st 15 Hartwell st 32 Pine st 32 Pine st 45 North st 45 North st 57 Mill st 18 Union st Fort Sumpter 4 Wardwell ct 3 Benefit st Robert st 14 Coombs st Robert st 4 Morton ct 4 Wardwell ct 156 Mill st 72 Mill st 12 Crystal st 72 Mill st Elm st 72 Mill st 152 Main st 4 Cross st 178 Main st 30 North st High st 22 Union st
292
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
St. Martin, Wilfrid Tessier, Charles Toomey, Michael Tremblay, Joseph, 2nd Tremblay, Alphonse
Tremblay, Nelson
Tremblay, Philias, 2nd
Turner, Lunan Walsh, Herbert
Ward, Thomas F. Ward, James T.
Werner, Anthony J.
Loranger, George
Desmarais, Vincelas
Duteau, Frank Bracket, Alton E.
Coyle, John W .
O'Keefe, Joseph Ryan, S. F. Wiggins, Fiske L.
42 Pine st Paige hill 6 School st 13 Charlton st Fairlawn 87 Worcester st 13 Charlton st Dennison dist 4 Hook st Pine st Pine st 32 Coombs st 27 Pleasant st Plimpton st 6 Hook st 10 Central st 10 Central st 109 West st Main st . Main st
Annual Report
of the
Playground Committee
This, the fourth annual report of the playground committee and the third of supervised play, is present- ed to the public with satisfaction in results accom- plished by the playgrounds.
The work is well established in our town and the good results achieved were evident in the exhibiton given at Central street the closing day, also the many first prizes awarded the children's work at the Stur- bridge Fair was proof of its excellence.
The names of the instructors for the season of 1913 were: Supervisor, Margaret G. Butler; directors, Agnes M. Meagher, May O. Simpson, Cora Gatineau; assistant instructors, Louise B. Corbin, Bertha Foley, Irene Gough, Annie Simpson, Kathleen Cozzens, Julia Morrill, Mary Meagher, Marguerite Smith, Anna Coderre; directors of athletics, Henry M. Delehanty, Joseph Laughnane; substitute instructors, Bessie Earles, Mildred Wheelock, Rudolphe Lariviere.
It required considerable work to prepare the new grounds on Union street which needs much more im- provements. The house quarters at Central street were inadequate to the needs, so larger quarters were
294
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
built and a platform laid. The shed from Central street was moved to a site on Union street.
The ice planer and scraper purchased by the play- ground committee have been put to good use in smoothing and clearing the ice on the reservoir for skating.
We acknowledge the assistance and interest of the citizens and particularly the courtesy extended by the Cercle Canadien club in offering the use of the base ball grounds during the season.
The pageant held on July 4, in which the children of the playgrounds took an important part, is a step towards a saner fourth and towards the proper educa- tion of the children.
It is a matter of gratification to the committee of the playgrounds that Thomas Curley, representative of the Civic League of the state of Massachusetts, report- ed that Brookline and Southbridge had the two best managed playgrounds in the state. During the com- ing season we plan to carry the work along on the same lines as heretofore making such advancements as the time and need of the work demands.
For this season we would recommend the appro- priation of $2,000 to carry on the work.
Respectfully submitted,
PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE,
Ferdinand A. Wald, Clerk.
295
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
To the Members of the Playground Committee.
GENTLEMEN :
In presenting this, the third report of supervised summer play, the supervisor wishes to express her ap- preciation of the helpful co-operation of the committee.
Monday, July 8, at 1.30 p. m. the Southbridge Playground season opened with the raising of the "Stars and Stripes" on the flag poles at each of the three grounds and the saluting of the flag by seven hundred children, after which all joined in singing America, then with a shout of joy the children ran to enjoy the full liberty of the playground apparatus.
The first week was devoted entirely to play, but every day came the question :- "When are we going to work?" proving that children do not desire play all the time.
The fact that, this year the town maintained three playgrounds, attended by seven hundred children with fourteen instructors, compared with the season of 1911 when there was one ground, three hundred children and six instructors, plainly shows the growth and popular- ity of the movement among the parents and children.
The much needed field house and platform erected at Central street this past year as also the phonographs added to the equipment, have greatly facilated the work.
A new feature of the playgrounds was the kinder- garten ground opened at Union street where the child- ren of that section received the play instruction and manual training suitable for their age.
The entire outline of play and industrial work was
296
. REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
thoroughly revised to meet the new demands and keep pace with the progress of the play movement.
The opportunity afforded the supervisor to attend the Richmond Congress, has made it possible to carry out the approved plans and ideas of the leading play promoters of the hour.
The play outline included folk games, singing games, active games, passive games and ball games of all kinds, with story telling and dramatization of stories. The industrial outline included basketry, raffia work, sewing, cardboard construction, Venetian iron work, chair caning. A branch library was established with books loaned from public library.
The permission to use the ball field on Worcester street Tuesday afternoons was keenly appreciated by the base-ball teams of School street and Central street when playing their league games.
There were athletic contests on each ground Friday afternoons, with two athletic contests, open to contes- tants from all grounds at Central street.
Closing day, August 22, brought all the children to the Central street grounds after seven weeks of happy purposeful play-time. There was an exhibit of the work from all the grounds also a demonstration of folk games, drills, athletics and free play.
'The general conduct of the children was excellent. The supervisor wishes to acknowledge the enthusiastic and royal work of all instructors.
Among improvements suggested for the coming season are: tennis courts in the different centers to in- terest girls and boys of 15 years and over, who are not
297
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
interested in the play at the playgrounds, but who are seeking some form of recreation; swimming pools, the cry of the boys must soon be answered; the beautify- ing of the grounds; the making of a park at the Union street grounds by the town.
Southbridge faces the problem of "no park spaces," as its material prosperity has usurped the land. A park at considerable distance from crowded centers is of little use to the toiler and his family, but the small neighborhood areas, bring health, recreation and comfort to these people. Included in the recrea- tional plans for 1914 should be a community Christmas tree.
Attention is called to the poor condition of School street grounds. The growth of the movement should include not playgrounds alone, but a broad recrea- tional program, which is the basic need in this com- munity. This program should include civic pageants and festivals dramatics, a close supervision of all forms of commercial recreation and a wider use of the school- houses.
Respectfully yours,
MARGARET G. BUTLER.
Annual Report
of the
POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Southbridge. GENTLEMEN:
In compliance with the town ordinance I herewith submit for your consideration the fourth annual report of the police Department for the year ending Dec. 31, 1913.
The organization of the police department at the close of the fiscal year Dec. 31, 1913, was as follows:
CHIEF-Napoleon Giroux.
PATROLMEN.
Pierre A. Cormier,
Joseph Paquin,
Patrick Donnelly,
Daniel Blute,
James Coughlin,
Honore St. Martin.
Oliver Paul, Jr.,
DESK OFFICIER. Andrew M. Higgins.
JANITOR AND ASSISTANT LOCKUP KEEPER. Joseph D. Proulx.
300
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
CONSTABLES.
A. M. Higgins, Marcus L. Dillaber,
Joseph Paquin,
Patrick Donnelly,
Alfred Langevin,{ Louis Lamothe,
Pierre Caplette,
Business of the Police Department
Business performed by the Police department dur- ing the year expiring Dec. 31, 1913: Total number of arrests, 385; arrests on warrants, 35; arrests without warrants, 350; males, 368; females, 17; non resident, ยท 126; resident, 259; minors, 21.
OFFENCES.
Adultery, 8; assault, 40; affray, 4; breaking and entering, 3; bastardy, 2; carrying firearms, 1; concealed weapon, 6; tresspass, 1; drunkness, 222; disturbing the peace, 12; vagrant, 26; common drunkard, 3; lewd and lascivious, 3; obscene pictures, 1; larceny, 15; assault upon a female child, 4; non support, 5; illegal sale of liquors, 3; abandoned child, 1; assault and battery, 2; disorderly house, 1; stubborn child, 2; assault on officer, 1; conditional sale, 1, gaming on Lord's day, 3; gam- bling place, 1; present at game on Lord's day, 1; dis- turbing court, 1; cruelty to animal. 1; driving away a horse, 2; profane language, 1; passing bad money, 1; bigamy, 1; runaway boys, 3; runaway girls, 4.
OCCUPATIONS.
Card grinders, 2; firemen, 6; painters, 7; steam- fitters, 2; mechanics, 5; blacksmiths, 2; spinners, 8; loom fixers 2; farmers, 8; weavers, 35; laborers, 247;
301
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
engineer, 1 ; house keepers, 5; carpenters, 9; innholders, 5; waitress, 1; masons, 3; cook, 1; harness makers, 2; bookkeeper, 1; barber, 1; stable keeper, 1; baker, 1; clerk, 1; store keeper, 1; lineman, 1, no occupation 27.
DISPOSITION OF CASES.
Discharged, 15. held for grand jury, 16, house of correction, 22, insane hospital, 6, fined, 119, released, 89, settled out of court, 4, state farm, 3, suspended sentence, 44, probation, 13, Concord reformatory, 1, Sherborn, 1, appeal 6, returned to Lancaster school, boys 4, returned to state, girls 3, returned to insane hospital. 2, girls left home, 9, returned, 8, boys left home, 4, returned, 4.
Number of lights reported out 193, number of doors leading to stores and public buildings found open, 40, value of property reported lost $800, value of property returned, $3.00, number of accidents re- ported and investigated, 10, lost children, 3, found and returned them to their homes, one man found dead, drowned, 2.
Complaints During the Year
During the year we had 2,116 calls. I tried to give satisfaction to all who called for advise and have given prompt attention and justice to all complainants.
Many complaints have been received through the mail which bore no signatures. In order that I may be able to give you prompt assistance I would ask that you kindly sign all communications stating clearly the nature of your complaints and thus assuring the officers
302
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
that there is reason for a complaint and thereby greatly facilating their work.
Remarks
During the year the officers of the department have progressed smoothly and have performed their duties in a creditable manner. We believe that the efficiency of the department is steadily increasing.
During the year I was offered what I considered a fair price for the police station and reported the offer to the Selectmen. The Selectmen sold the station for $10,000. I trust that now that the police station has been disposed of the voters of Southbridge will not de- lay in giving the police department new headquarters which we need so badly. The old building was con- demned many years ago as being very unsanitary and unfit for a police station and and although every effort was made to keep same in good condition it was impos- sible to make as clean and as sanitary as the law re- quires. I hope that voters will act promptly and that a site will soon be choosen.
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