USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1922 > Part 2
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The classification book was examined and checked with the appropriation accounts and with the records of receipts.
The ledger postings were checked and an analysis of the ledger was made. A balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared, showing the financial condition of the town on December 31, 1922.
The books and accounts of the treasurer were examined and checked, the cash balance being verified by a reconciliation of the bank account with the statement furnished by the bank and by a count of the cash on hand. The receipts and payments were checked to the accountant's cash book, and all footings were proved.
46
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
The trust funds in the custody of the treasurer were ex- amined, listed, and found to be recorded on the accountant's records.
Tables showing a reconciliation of the cash, bank balances, and of the trust fund transactions are appended to this report.
The accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked in detail. The collections were compared with the payments as recorded in the treasurer's books, the abatements were checked with the records of abatements granted by the assessors, and the commitments were verified by a comparison with the warrants. The outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the accountant's ledger.
Verification notices were sent to persons whose accounts ap- peared as unpaid on the collector's books, and from the replies received I believe that the accounts are correct.
The work of the collector's office shows considerable im- provement over past years, and the amount remaining uncollected is smaller than that of last year. The uncollected taxes of prior years, however, should be collected at once in order to avoid loss to the town.
Summary tables of the tax and assessment accounts are ap- pended to this report.
At the special town meeting held September 8, 1922, it was voted to appropriate $2500 for "Town Hall Heating," the amount to be raised in the tax levy of 1923. Expenditures against this appropriation should not have been made until after January 1, 1923, as no arrangement was made for providing funds during 1922. As there was a substantial balance in the surplus revenue account, the appropriation for this purpose should have been pro- vided for by vote from this source.
The records of licenses granted, as shown by the town clerk's
47
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
books, were examined and the records of fees were checked to the treasurer's receipts.
The town clerk's record of dog and fish and hunting licenses issued were examined, and payments to the county and state veri- fied.
The records of the library were examined, and the amounts received and paid the town were checked to the treasurer's records.
While engaged in making the audit, I received the hearty co- opration of the town officials, and on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express my appreciation of the courtesies received and the assistance rendered.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD H. FENTON, Chief Examiner.
48
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
RECONCILIATION OF TREASURER'S CASH
Cash balance January 1, 1922
$ 18,634.26 200,864.49
Receipts
$219,498.75
Payments
$201,621.95
Cash balance December 31, 1922
17,876.80
$219,498.75
Cash balance December 31, 1922
$17,876.80
Merchants National Bank balance
$16,678.35
Cash in office, verified
1,198.45
$17,876.80
Merchants National Bank balance
$16,678.35
Outstanding checks, per list 2,866.15
$19,544.50
Bank balance, per bank statement December 31, 1922
$19,544.50
TAXES-1916'
Outstanding January 1, 1922, per ledger Payments $ .40
$ .40
49
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
TAXES-1917
Outstanding January 1, 1922, per ledger
$23.96
Payments to treasurer $ 9.12
Abatements
14.84
$23.96
TAXES-1918
Outstanding January 1, 1922, per ledger
$567.05
Payments to treasurer
$543.65
Abatements
21.30
Outstanding December 27, 1922, per list
2.10
$567.05
TAXES-1919
Outstanding January 1, 1922, per ledger $1,364.89
Abatement rescinded 1.05
$1,365.94
Payments to treasurer
$1,098.67
Abatements
30.01
Outstanding December 27, 1922, per list
237.26
$1,365.94
TAXES-1920
Outstanding January 1, 1922, per ledger $4,413.80
Abatement rescinded .80
$4,414.60
50
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Payments to treasurer
Abatements
$2,828.58 108.64
Outstanding December 27, 1922, per list 1,477.38
$4,414.60
TAXES-1921
Outstanding January 1, 1922, per ledger $16,481.50
Abatement rescinded 4.00
$16,485.50
Payments to treasurer to December 27.
1922 $9,678.07
Abatements
172.80
Outstanding December 27, 1922, per list 6,634.63
$16,485.50
Outstanding December 27, 1922, per list
$6,634.63
Payments to treasurer December 30, 1922 $ 68.00
Outstanding December 31, 1922, per ledger 6,566.63
$6,634.63
. TAXES-1922
Commitment $78,702.98
Detailed list in excess of commitment 24.23
Abated after payment, refunded 3.00
Moth collection credited to taxes 7.65
Overpayment to treasurer, refunded
34.06
$78,771.92
51
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
Payments to treasurer to December 27, 1922 $65,492.51
Abatements 346.60 Outstanding December 27, 1922, per list 12,932.81 $78,771.92
Outstanding December 27, 1922, per list
$12,932.81
Payment to treasurer December 30, 1922 $ 1,010.49
Outstanding December 31, 1922, per ledger 11,922.32
$12,932.81
MOTH ASSESSMENTS -- 1917
Outstanding January 1, 1922, per ledger
$.98
Payments to treasurer $ .98
MOTH ASSESSMENTS-1918
Outstanding January 1, 1922; per ledger $22.01
Payments to treasurer $21.26
Outstanding December 27, 1922, per list .75
$22.10
MOTH ASSESSMENTS-1919
Outstanding January 1, 1923, per ledger
$44.53
Payments to treasurer $31.04
Outstanding December 27, 1922, per list 13.49
$44.53
52
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
MOTH ASSESSMENTS-1920
Outstanding January 1, 1922, per ledger
$90.42 Payments to treasurer $57.42
Outstanding December 27, 1922 33.00
$90.42
MOTH ASSESSMENTS-1921
Outstanding January 1, 1922, per ledger
$554.34
Payments to treasurer to December 27, 1922 $388.74
Outstanding December 27, 1922, per list 165.60
$554.34
Outstanding December 27, 1922, per list
$165.60
Payment to treasurer December 30, 1922 $ 5.60
Outstanding December 31, 1922, per ledger 160.00
$165.60
MOTH ASSESSMENTS-1922
Commitment $1,589.77
Payments to treasurer to December 27,
1922 $1,184.45
Moth collection credited to taxes 7.65
Abatements 3.39
Outstanding December 27, 1922, per list 394.28
$1,589.77
53
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
Outstanding December 27, 1922, per list
$394.28
Payment to treasurer December 30, 1922 $ 47.27 Outstanding December 31, 1922, per ledger 347.01
$394.28
SIDEWALK ASSESSMENTS-1921
Outstanding January 1, 1922, per ledger
$185.13
Payments to treasurer $185.13
DR. JUSTIN ALLEN LIBRARY FUND
Cash
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year
$22.92
$500.00
$522.92
On hand at end of year $45.67
$500.00
$545.67
Receipts
Payments
Income $22.75
Cash on hand at end of year
Cash on hand at begin-
*$45.67
ning of year *22.92
Total
$45.67
Total
$45.67
*In general cash.
54
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
H. A. DODGE LIBRARY FUND
Cash
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year $36.71
$1,000.00
On hand at end of year $80.24
$1,000.00
$1,036.71 $1,080.24
Receipts
Payments
Income $45.50
Expended for books, etc. $ 1.97
Cash on hand at begin-
Cash on hand at
ning of year *36.71
end of year *80.24
Total $82.21
Total
$82.21
*In general cash.
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUNDS
Cash
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year
$7,293.09
$7,293.09
On hand at end of year
$7,391.64
$7,391.64
Receipts
Payments
Bequests
$300.00
Expended for care of lots
$509.77
Withdrawn from sav-
ings bank
201.45
Deposited in savings bank 300.00
Total
$809.77
Total $809.77
Income
308.32
55
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
CEMETERY SPECIAL FUND
Cash
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year $120.00 On hand at end of year
$120.00
$180.90
$180.90
Receipts
Income $ .90
Payments Deposited in savings bank
$180.90
Sale of lots
60.00
Cash on hand at be- ginning of year 120.00
Total
$180.90
Total
$180.90
56
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
TOWN OF HAMILTON Balance Sheet, December 31, 1922 GENERAL ACCOUNTS ASSETS
Cash in bank and office
Accounts Receivable :
$17,876.80
Taxes :
Levy of 1918
$ 2.10
Levy of 1919
237.26
Levy of 1920
1,477.38
Levy of 1921
6,566.63
Levy of 1922
11,922.32
20,205.69
Special Assessments :
Moth 1918
$ .75
Moth 1919
13.49
Moth 1920
33.00
Moth 1921
160.00
Moth 1922
347.01
554.25
Due from the State :
State Aid
120.00
Revenue 1923 :
Appropriated September 8, 1922, Town Meeting
2,500.00
$41,256.74
57
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
LIABILITIES
Temporary Loans :
Anticipation of Revenue
$10,000.00
Norman Fund
200.00
Tailings Accounts
42.81
Dodge Fund Income
80.24
Allen Fund Income
45.67
Unexpended Balances :
Legislative Committee
$ 62.70
Town Hall Heating
556.17
Interest
122.00
Reserve Fund
459.79
$1,200.66
Overlay (Reserved for Abatement of Taxes ) :
Levy of 1918
$ 2.10
Levy of 1919
237.26
Levy of 1920
7.07
Levy of 1921
22.66
Levy of 1922
917.76
Reserve Fund, (Overlay Surplus) Surplus Revenue
1,186.85
3,862.86
24,637.65
$41,256.74
58
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or
East Schoolhouse Fixed Debt $13,000.00
Loan $13.000.00
$13,000.00
$13,000.00
TRUST FUND ACCOUNTS
Cash and Securities $9,072.54
Allen Library
Fund
$
500.00
Dodge Library Fund 1,000.00
Cemetery Perpet-
ual Care Fund 7.391.64
Cemetery Special
Fund 180.90
$9,072.54
$9,072.54
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
BIRTHS RECORDED
1921
May 2 Herbert Sears, son of Bayard, Jr., and Phyllis (Sears) Tuckerman
May 2 Richard Mortimer, son of Bayard, Jr., and Phyllis (Sears) Tuckerman
Oct. 19 Edward Thomas, son of James and Winifred (Burden) Claydon
Nov. 20 Cynthia Sewell, daughter of Albert C., Jr., and Anne (Shirk) Burrage
1922
Jan. 22 Stuart J., son of Leslie and Marietta (Haney) Whipple
Jan. 27 Eleanor Louise, daughter of Leland and Marion (Crowley ) Thompson
Jan. 30 Alonzo Herbert, 3rd, son of Alonzo H., Jr., and Gladys (Pease) Hammond
Feb. 1
Thomas Ignatius, son of Thomas and Margaret Mary Millerick
Feb. 8 Catherine Louise, daughter of Alonzo H. and Viola (Reed) Hammond
Mar. 22 Lester Tilden, Jr., son of Lester T. and Marion (Gates) Tompkins
Mar. 24 Eleanor, daughter of Edward W. and Emma C. (Lougee) MacGregor
59
60
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Apr. 10 Evelyn, daughter of Frank and Mary (O'Brien) Conti
Apr. 12 Dexter Richards, Jr., son of Dexter Richards and Alberta ( Merrill) Hunneman
Apr. 24 Evelyn May, daughter of Winslow B. and Ethel (Mugridge) Dodge
May 19 Harry Randolph, Jr., son of Harry R. and Madeline (Scahill) McGregor
May 30 Daniel Francis, son of John J. and Winifred (O'Connor) Ginty
June 17 Walter John, Jr., son of Walter J. and Martha (Andrews) Emeney
June 29 Arthur Everett, son of Richard T. and Bertha (Leathers) Broeg
July 20 June Veronica, daughter of Ovid and Loretta (Back) Tremblay
July 30 Harold Franklin, son of Arthur and Clara (Haraden) Day
Aug. 6 Florence Irene, daughter of Ernest and Obelina (Tourigny) Boisvert
Aug. 12 Beatrice Louise, daughter of Owen and Clara (Harbort) Johnson
Aug. 20 Frances May, daughter of Frank E. and Adelaide O. (Courtis) Manthorne
Aug. 25 Emma Frances Louise, daughter of Louis H. and Olive (Harraden) Dodge
Sept. 2 Clara Lucy, daughter of Charles and Blanche (Ferguson) McRae
Sept. 2 Gordon Jarvis, son of Charles and Blanche (Ferguson) McRae
61
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
Sept. 20 Cornelius Joseph, Jr., son of Cornelius J. and Mary (Burns) Mullins
Oct. 8 Phyllis May, daughter of Jerry and Mary (Day) Hawkins
Oct. 27 Joseph, son of Max and Annie (Cohen) Bookstein
Oct. 27 Gloria Louise, daughter of Leo and Esther (Sullivan) Elario Nov. 3 Francis, son of Edward and Mamie (Mercer) Carter
MARRIAGES RECORDED
Joseph O'Leary of Salem Swea Maria Blomfield of Hamilton
Charles Roland Appleton of Hamilton Helen Evelyn Remon of Hamilton
William W. Ledford of Hamilton Irene M. Toner of Hamilton
Wilrose J. Carter of Lynn Katherine Saunders of Hamilton
Lester M. Leet of Salem Beatrice E. Russell of Hamilton
John Farwell Anderson Davis of Brookline Marjorie Abbott Thomas of Hamilton
62
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
James H. Goodrich of West Newbury Martha F. Cross of Hamilton
George Nicholson of Lynn Mary I. Shepard of Lynn
Jesse L. Aiken of Lynn Mildred W. Russell of Peabody
Robert H. Chittick, Jr., of Hamilton
Mabel F. Bachelder of Wenham
Hubert M. Inder of Lynn Ruth M. Whenal of Boston
Oliver W. Anderson of Hamilton Gertrude L. Haskell of Hamilton
Leroy C. Thayer of Hampton, N. H. Sara L. Southwick of Hamilton
Richard S. Harraden of Hamilton Lottie M. Chandler of Hamilton
Bryce E. Glover of Hamilton Eleanor B. Eastman of Hamilton
Harvey C. Packer of Francestown, N. H. Sara J. M. Sullivan of Danvers
Arthur E. Morrow of Hamilton Bertha E. Lord of Beverly
William Herd of Beverly Catherine C. Linehan of Hamilton
63
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
DEATHS RECORDED
1922
Feb. 21 William B. Haskell
48
9
3
Feb. 23 Charlotte Walker
86
1
22
Mar. 5 John E. Westerlund
68
4
17
Mar. 29 Eleanor MacGregor
. .
. .
5
Apr. 7 Stuart J. Whipple
. .
2
16
May 3 Laura S. Woodbury
70
6 20
May 29 Inez M. Chandler
68
. .
. .
June 10 Adeline E. Day
80
11
June 20 John Catheral
74
. .
. .
June 26
Frederick A. Caldwell
72
11
12
July 7 Sarah J. Hemeon
67
11
3
July 13 Francis Leo Coyne
25
2
11
July
13 E. Jennie Trott
78
8
9
July 22
James C. Warner
75
10
25
July
31
Salvatore Marino
20
9
14
Aug. 9 Gerard Bement
64
. .
23
Aug. 17 Jean Adams
1
10
17
Aug. 28 Cornelius Moynihan
87
4
23
Oct. 11 Jane F. Neal
76
4
5
Oct. 25 Pierre Fraser
54
. .
. .
Nov. 19 John Holmes
80
2
5
Dec. 23 Charlotte French
65
10
1
Dee. 28 Frederic L. Davis
61
11
27
. .
. .
2
Sept. 4 Clara Lucy McRae
yrs.
mos. days
. .
64
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
BROUGHT INTO TOWN
yrs.
mos.
days
Lydia A. Sawyer
75
1
3
Harry M. Williams
43
11
29
Levi Riggs
89
3
11
Delia H. A. Hanscom
75
5
9
Alexander D. Ellis
43
2
17
Sarah E. Trask
85
11
23
Ellen A. Roberts
83
5
22
Rhoda M. Cutler
87
4
11
Alma S. Trow
59
. .
15
REGISTRATION
The Registrars of Voters met for registration of voters as follows :
Three meetings at Engine House, South Hamilton. Three meetings at Town Hall.
At these meetings 138 voters were registered, divided as fol- lows: Male, 73; female, 65.
Total registration December 31, 1922, as follows :
Male
448
Female
340
Total
788
DOG LICENSES
Dog licenses were issued as follows :
Male 81 @ $ 2.00
$162.00
Female
23 @ 5.00
115.00
.
65
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
Breeder's
.
4 @
50.00
200.00
Breeder's
.
1 @
25.00
25.00
Total receipts
$502.00
Less fees
21.80
Paid Essex County
$480.20
HUNTERS' LICENSES
Combination
50 @
$2.00
$100.00
Hunting
.
47 @
1.50
70.50
Fishing .
1 @
1.00
1.00
Minor's trapping
11 @ .25
2.75
Total receipts
$174.25
Less fees
16.35
Paid Division of Fisheries and Game
$157.90
OTHER LICENSES
Junk
2 @ $25.00
$50.00
Pool
1 @
2.00
2.00
Oleo
3 (a)
.50
1.50
Auctioneer
1 @@
2.00
2.00
Motor vehicle .
1 @
4.00
4.00
Paid Town Treasurer $59.50
66
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT TOWN MEETINGS
There were two town meetings in 1922, as follows : Annual Town Meeting, March 14, 1922. Special Town Meeting, September 8, 1922.
Appropriations at Annual Town Meeting :
From Revenue of 1922 $95,258.19
From Surplus 6,000.00
Appropriations at Special Town Meeting :
From Revenue of 1923 $2,500.00
From Surplus . 700.00
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE S. KNOWLTON.
Town Clerk.
REPORT OF THE ASSESSORS
Value of buildings
Value of land
$2,362,720 1,419,441
Value of real estate
Value of personal estate
$3,782,161 685,955
Total valuation
$4,468,116
Tax on real estate
$64,296 74
Tax on personal estate
11,661 24
Tax on polls
2,745 00
Total tax levy
$78,702 98
Moth tax
1,589 77
Rate per thousand Number of horses
$17.00
COWS
174
neat cattle
26
.. swine
28
66
fowls
3,034
66
66 dwellings
845
66
acres of land
8,712
residents assessed on property
704
66
all others
48
66
non residents assessed on property
469
66
66
all others
78
polls only
32
.. persons assessed
1,331
67
236
68
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
EXPENDITURES
Town Appropriations
$95,258 19
State Tax
9,240 00
State Highway Tax
620 40
State Audit
291 65
County Tax .
7,373 21
Overlay
1,264 36
Total expenditures
$114,047 81
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS
Income Tax
$24,465 30
Corporation Tax
4,007 23
Bank Tax
1,373 30
Moth Assessment
1,550 00
Income Tax (Teachers' Salaries )
3,676 00
State Aid
120 00
School Tuition
200 00
Charity
400 00
Polls
1.098 00
All Other
1,200 00
Total estimated revenue
38,089 83
$75,957 98 Balance. Tax levy on property
69
REPORT OF ASSESSORS
ABATEMENTS
Amount of taxes on real and personal property abated :
Levy of year 1920
$48 64
Levy of year 1921
$97 80
Levy of year 1922
$166 50
GEORGE H. GIBNEY,
GEORGE M. ADAMS, GEORGE E. SAFFORD,
Assessors of Hamilton.
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen: I wish to submit my annual report for the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1922.
Whole number of arrests during the year, 5, divided as follows :
Males
3
Females
2
Adults
.
4
Minors
1
Native born
3
Foreign born
2
Residents
5
RECAPITULATION
Crimes against the person 1
Crimes against property
1
Crimes against public order
3
Persons taken to station
1
Persons arrested on warrants
3
OFFENCES
Assault .
.
1
Drunkenness
1
Larceny
1
Violation of liquor law .
1
Arrested for Salem police
1
70
.
.
.
.
71
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
DISPOSITION
Turned over to Salem police . 1
Fined and paid . 3
Salem Jail .
1
SUPERIOR COURT
Cases disposed of
1
Cases on docket .
1
ARRESTS MADE BY OFFICERS
Poole
4
Wood
.
1
OFFICERS' ATTENDANCE AT COURT
Poole 7
W. L. Smith
1
Wood
2
Perley
2
Stillings
1
COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED
Poole
30
Perley
53
Saunders
20
Dever
20
Southwick
9
C. H. Smith
3
W. L. Smith
3
Wood
6
Stillings
3
W. F. Dodge
1
Haraden
4
.
.
.
.
.
72
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
HOURS OF DUTY PERFORMED BY OFFICERS
Poole . 601
·
Wood . 72
Dever . . 285
Stillings ·
72
Saunders
.
187
W. F. Dodge
21
Southwick 182
L. S. Dodge
14
Perley 179
C. H. Smith 0
W. L. Smith 77
Haraden 17
Deneen
3
MISCELLANEOUS
Automobiles reported stolen . 2
Automobiles found and recovered . .
2
Bicycles reported stolen
9
Bicycles found and recovered
6
Other property reported lost or stolen (value about) . . $670
Other property found and recovered
(valute about) . . $385
Complaints received by all officers . 173
Complaints investigated
152
Fires extinguished
7
Buildings found open
1
Disturbances
18
Dogs reported lost
.
16
Dogs found and returned to owners ·
8
Dogs killed
1
Children reported lost and found . 1
Itinerant persons ordered to leave town
12
Lights reported out 85
Summons served for out of town officers 5
Dangerous wires reported or removed 11
Obstructions removed . .
4
·
73
REPORT OF FOLICE DEPARTMENT
Accidents reported 36
Accidents resulting in death . 2
Dead bodies found or recovered 2
Persons received assistance .
13
Police assistance to out of town officers
15
Police assistance by out of town officers . 17
Court attendance 13
Reports to Prison Commission 1
Reports to Highway Commission 2
Letters, postal cards and circulars received (about) 308
Letters, postal cards and notices sent out (about) 117
Persons held on suspicion
4
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED T. POOLE,
Chief of Police.
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
At the adjourned Town Meeting held March 21, 1922, an appropriation of $500 was made for use of the Cemetery Depart- ment. This has been expended largely for the general care of the grounds.
Other sources of income are from accumulated interest on endowed lots, all of which must be used for the care of each indi- vidual lot, unless otherwise provided for in the endowment.
Then, there is the care of private lots and tombs for which the owner or possessor is responsible and which he must keep in reasonably good condition, but these do not come under the general care and expense of the Town. These are most conveniently cared for under private arrangement with the Superintendent of the Cemetery.
All the cemetery lots sold with condition of perpetual care are practically endowed.
Many of the endowed lots were having so much surplus in- terest accumulate that special work has been done in cleaning the monuments and markers on such lots, thus making them look as good as new.
In addition to the general care of the cemetery the coming year, there should be some extension of Greenwood and Linden Avenues sufficient for the convenience of the single grave lot section.
74
75
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
There are also many young trees and bushes in some of the open sections that should be taken out while they are small.
In view of the prospective work that should be done, we rec- ommend an appropriation of $750.
For financial matters see the report of the Town Accountant.
GEORGE K. KNOWLTON, FRANCIS C. NORTON, GEORGE H. GIBNEY,
Cemetery Commissioners.
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Hamilton, Mass., January 30, 1923.
The Selectmen of the Town of Hamilton,
Dear Sirs: Following is the report of the Park Commissioners for the year 1922:
During the past year, Central Park has been kept mowed from the street to the brow of the hill; and the underbrush between the hill and Cutler's Pond has been burned.
Adults have not frequented the Park to any extent as yet, but it has been a very popular playground for the children. The Commissioners feel that that is one of the best uses to which the Park could be put, since it affords a clean and safe place at all times.
Owing to lack of money, no seats or other fittings could be provided this year. It is hoped that an appropriation of $100 will be sufficient not only to provide for the ordinary maintenance, but also to furnish a few improvements.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD A. UNDERHILL, PERCIVAL D. WHIPPLE,
Park Commissioners.
76
REPORT OF THE LIBRARY TRUSTEES
The Trustees of the Public Library report that the past year has been a most gratifying one. The circulation, nearly 17,000, has broken all previous records. Of this number nearly 12,000 books were taken out of the Branch Library, the highest number taken in one day being 194.
The growth of the Branch Library has necessitated the build- ing of additional shelving, and we believe that we now are suffi- ciently well equipped to carry a large number of books at all times the circulation at the Main Library has also shown a sub- stantial increase over preceding years.
Among the many additions to the Library, we call particular attention to the latest sets of the "Encyclopædia Britannica" and the "Life of John Marshall" by ex-Senator Beveridge. We also acknowledge the gifts of a number of books, which are more particularly referred to in the Librarian's report.
At various times during the year strangers passing through the town, and new residents, have commented upon the unusual supply of up-to-date books as compared with much larger libraries in other towns, and even in some cities.
The trustees have endeavored to reach and satisfy the wants of all classes of readers, both young and old, and if they have failed to satisfy everyone they welcome suggestions at all times.
Of the $2,500 appropriated for Library purposes at the last town meeting, nearly $1,600 was expended for books and periodicals.
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The trustees ask for an appropriation of $2,500 for the com- ing year, and believe, if granted the same, that it will be ample to maintain the high standard which they have endeavored to establish.
As to other statistics, they will be found in the Librarian's report.
ROBERT B. WALSH, Chairman, ARTHUR W. CHANDLER, EDWARD A. UNDERHILL,
Library Trustees.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
To the Trustees of the Public Library,
Gentlemen: My third annual report is herewith submitted.
The record for 1922 shows a large increase in the circulation of books in the Library, especially in the Branch Library. New names are being added weekly, and during the summer circulation was very large. An increase of over 700 was noted at the Branch and over 300 at the Main Library.
The circulation for the year was 16,557, distributed as fol- lows: at the Main Library, 4,826; at the Branch Library, 11,731. A great many new books were purchased this year; 1,004 books were added to the catalogue; 717 books were sent to the Branch Library ; 72 books were gifts.
Our friend of last year again remembered us. Fifty dollars was given and 62 children's books were bought. We wish publicly to acknowledge this gift, a record of which has been placed on our books.
We were presented with a fine copy of the History of the 5th Division, A. E. F., in the World War. This has proved very in- teresting, as some of our Hamilton boys served in that Division over seas.
We also received two books dealing with the life of our be- loved townsman, Captain Augustus Peabody Gardner.
We wish to call special attention to another gift of four books dealing with art. One contains pictures of Venice and all its great canals ; another contains reproductions in heliotype from the best
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engravings of the gems of the Dresden Gallery. The other two volumes contain pictures of the famous ruins, paintings, churches, etc., of Italy. These books are not to be taken from the Library, and it is well worth one's while to come and look them over.
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