USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1890-1899 > Part 2
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1 75
Seth Foster. expressage and supplies for 1889-90.
43 50
W S. & R. P. Briggs. for coal .
35 99
W. H. Sampson. for coal .
33 50
E P. Welch & Son. for lumber .
4 99
H. W. Spurr & Co., groceries
42 74
J. B. Howe. for bread
4 00
Culver, Phillips & Co .. for grain, 1889
48 01
Litchfield & Curtis. for supplies .
196 65
W. S. & R. P. Briggs. for ice
10 23
Samuel Turner. for carpenter work
41 25
Jonathan Hatch. for vegetables . 1 50
C. W. Sparrell, for burial of John McCurdy
25 00
William P. Nason, for horse
150 00
Lewis E. White. for hay
7 35
Joseph Merritt. for smith work .
15 82
Joseph Merritt, for pasturing cows
8 00
J. A. Torrey, for soap
5 95
Old Colony R. R. Co., for freight 1 37
C. H. Williston. for supplies
3 00
Alpheus Damon. for grain .
T. H. Wheeler & Co .. for supplies
7 24
25
Paid C. W. Tilden, for smith work $5 53
Frank Thomas, for service of stock 2 00
E. W. Whiting, for clothing
26 25
Dr. H. J. Little, for medical attendance 84 50
Joseph H. Corthell, for meat
96 38
George E. Bates, for meat .
79 70
$1,917 34
ALMSHOUSE CREDIT.
Received from W. H. Litchfield, for board of Cushing
Litchfield
$126 00
Due from the State for board of Annie E. Pierce and child . 66 00
Due from the State for military aid
36 00
Due from Hingham for board of Isabel Beach and child,
55 25
Board and lodging of tramps
16 00
Sale of articles by superintendent
57 13
A. W. Faxon, for use of horse 23 71
Labor on highways, C. H. Williston, with horse .
14 30
$394 39
Board of inmates, to balance cost
1,522 95
$1,917 34
AID TO OUT-DOOR POOR.
Paid on account of Joseph Harvey :
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for board at State Farm $62 80
Paid on account of Bella Freeman :
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for board at Taunton Hospital 75 21
Paid on account of Bridget Shea :
Taunton Hospital, for board 169 46
Paid on account of George A. Gardner :
Taunton Hospital for board 169 46
Paid on account of family of George W. Smith :
Town of Hanover, Dr. A. L. MacMillan, for medical attendance 167 12
William F. Gilman, cash paid nurse 50 00
26
Paid William F. Gilman, board, nursing, and supplies $99 30
Ellen C. Hammond, nursing . 8 00
Thomas Drew, supplies .
5 00
William F. Gilman. board of Mrs. Smith and children 27 00
William F. Gilman, board of nurse
2 00
William F. Gilman. care of Mrs. Smith
13 00
William F. Gilman. cash paid out
3 57
Dr. C. L. Howes. medical attendance . 3 00
Paid on account of Samuel Gunderway : Alfred Freeman. for nursing .
9 00
Paid on account of Gustavus S. Totman and family :
Henry F. Ford. for house rent . 60 00
Dr. H. J. Little. medical attendance . 5 00
Paid on account of William T. Hunt and family : Town of Hanover. Damon Brothers. supplies 59 65 Cash . 5 00
Dr. H. L. Sweeney, medical attendance 16 50
Paid on account of Frank H. Stoddard and family : Town of Abington. for aid 1888-89 29 70
Paid on account of A. C. Sylvester and family :
Litchfield & Curtis, for supplies . 6 00
Paid on account of Mrs. John Freeman :
C. A. Litchfield & Co .. for fuel . 6 50
Paid on account of Andrew Greene :
Dr. H. J. Little, for medical attendance 2 00
Paid on account of Elizabeth T. Brooks : Litchfield & Curtis, supplies for 1889-90 104 00
Paid on account of Mary A. Reeves :
Martha A. Knapp, as nurse 47 50
Rebecca H. Winslow, as nurse 13 75
Mary Shephard, as nurse 21 00
Melvin Little, supplies 31 47
Andrew H. Merrill. supplies 4 53
Emily B. Barstow, for board
18 00
Dr. H. J. Little, medical attendance . 20 50
Paid on account of John L. Freeman : Town of Natick, for medical attendance and funeral expenses 36 25
27
Paid C. W. Sparrell, for burial . $8 00
Paid on account of Edward Freeman and family :
George H. Torrey, for house rent 6 00
Litchfield & Curtis, for supplies . 14 30
Dr. H. J. Little, for medical attendance 45 00
Paid on account of George W. Stetson :
Sylvanus Clapp, for house rent, 1889 . 10 50
E. W. Brooks, for board of nurse, 1889 17 50
Paid on account of Louisa Osborn :
City of Boston, hospital expense 28 00
Paid on account of William R. Smith, Jr. :
Melvin Little, for supplies, 1889 10 00
Dr. A. L. MacMillan, for medical attendance, 1888-89 89 70
Paid on account of Joanna Keene :
Town of Hanover, for eighteen months' house rent, 75 00
Paid on account of Sarah E Harris :
C. A. Litchfield & Co., for fuel .
5 00
W. D. Turner, for fuel
7 50
Dr. H. J. Little, for medical attendance 3 00
Litchfield & Curtis, for supplies . 38 00
Paid on account of Thomas H. Gardner and family : John S. Brooks, for supplies 104 00
Dr. R. W. Southgate, for medical attendance 18 00
Paid on account of Gertrude Mee :
City of Brockton, for supplies
72 00
City of Brockton, for medical attendance .
23 75
AID TO PERSONS HAVING A SETTLEMENT IN OTHER TOWNS
Paid on account of Henry L. Bates and family :
R. W. Killam, for supplies . $58 64
Litchfield & Curtis, for supplies . 4 39
W. Simmons, for fuel . 9 00
Dr. H. J. Little, for medical attendance
23 00
Paid on account of Charles Talbot and family : Cummings Litchfield, for house rent 11 50
28
Paid Dr. H. L. Sweeney, for medical attendance $10 00 Paid on account of Lyman B. Fitts and family : Dr. H. J. Little. for medical attendance 48 00 Paid on account of Michael Spellman : Dr. H. J. Little, for medical attendance 10 00
Paid on account of Clark De Witt and family : Litchfield & Curtis, for supplies . 13 25
AID TO PERSONS HAVING NO SETTLEMENT IN THE STATE.
Paid on account of Neal Barstow and family :
Melvin Little. for supplies . $92 90
Dr. H. L. Sweeney, for medical attendance 20 00
Paid on account of Mary A. Brown and family :
Alpheus Damon, for supplies 62 00
Litchfield & Curtis, for supplies
92 00
Dr. H. J. Little, for medical attendance
19 00
Paid on account of Calvin Cromwell :
C. W. Sparrell, for burial . 5 00
Total amount paid for aid to out-door poor .
$2,405 20
Refunded by the State
S290 90
Refunded by other towns · ·
187 78 ·
478 68
$1,926 52
MILITARY AID.
PAID UNDER CHAPTER 279, ACTS OF 1889.
Michael Spellman. 896 00 Refunded by the town of Holliston.
Isaac Fitts. 55 00 Refunded by the town of Royalston.
Samuel Keene, 72 00 One half refunded by the State. Chas. R. Humphrey, 48 00 One half refunded by the State. James H. Patterson, 48 00 One half refunded by the State ..
George O. Torrey. 32 00 One half refunded by the State.
David Bassford, 12 00 One half refunded by the State ..
$363 00
29
STATE AID.
PAID UNDER CHAPTER 301, ACTS OF 1889.
. Harriet J. Apts . $24 00
Edward L Hyland . . $18 00
Charles D. Barnard . 48 00
Harriet Jacobs
8 00
Amanda Coleman 24 00
Ann McKenna
48 00
Timothy B. Chapman
Mary Monahan
24 00
Harriet M. Raymond
48 00
David P. Robinson and
wife . 72 00
Hannah Dover
24 00
Seth H. Vinal and wife, 79 00
Emily Damon
48 00
Esther M. Young . 20 00
Charles David
36 00
Edward M. Magoun . 24 00
Josiah W. Chamberlin, Jr.12 00
$892 00
RECAPITULATION.
Taxes abated
$89 64 Paid repairs of schoolhouses, cleaning and care of rooms, etc. .
School books and stationery
333 86
Salaries of school teachers
3,351 82
Wood for schoolhouses
139 35
Highway expenses to March 1
587 36
Repairs on highways .
4,843 93
Removing snow .
116 88
Town officers
782 69
Town hall .
86 92
Incidental expenses
549 47
Almshouse expenses .
1,917 34
Aid to out-door poor .
2,405 20
State and military aid :
1,255 00
and wife 74 00
John Corthell 48 00
Charles H. Damon 48 00
Charles H. Farrar 36 00
Seth O. Fitts .
21 00
Lyman B. Fitts 72 00
George A. Hatch
36 00
189 93
$16,649 39
30
NORWELL, Jan. 10, 1891.
This certifies that I have examined the accounts of the select- men, treasurer, and collectors, and have found the same correctly cast, with proper vouchers, and find that there is a balance of cash in the hands of the treasurer, due the town at this date, of $260.21.
C. A. LITCHFIELD, Auditor.
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE TOWN.
LIABILITIES.
Notes in favor of South Scituate Savings
Bank
$9.375 00
Interest due to Jan. 1, 1891, on above 197 55
J. T. Litchfield heirs (note) .
1,000 00
C. W. Sylvester heirs (note) .
470 00
R. V. C. Turner heirs (note) . .
575 00
J. C. Tolman heirs (note) .
300 00
Lucy Turner (note)
.
500 00
Interest due on above to Jan. 1, 1891 37 95
Coffin fund note
2,000 00
$14,455 50
ASSETS OF THE TOWN.
Due from State for military and State aid . $998 00 Due from State for aid to poor . · 294 00
. Due from towns for aid to poor and military aid 275 00
State school fund (estimated) 210 00
County school fund (estimated) 250 00
Due on Glover mortgage (Granderson farm) 700 00
Due on corporation taxes . 32 66
Taxes outstanding in hands of collectors . 3,048 74
*Due from C. W. Sparrell, for use of bearse . 58 00
Cash in hands of treasurer · 260 21
.
6,126 61
$8,328 89
* Paid since Jan. 1.
31
ASSESSORS' STATISTICS.
VALUATION. MAY 1, 1890.
Real estate
$682,248
Personal estate .
201,949
$884,197
Amount of assessment, $12,053.26.
Tax rate, $12.50 on $1,000.
Polls, 488 ; number paying poll-tax ouly, 130; horses, 393 ; cows, 304; neat cattle, 88; swine, 99; dwelling-houses, 444 ; acres of land assessed, 12,2062.
LIST OF JURORS
TO BE PRESENTED TO THE TOWN FOR ACCEPTANCE OR REVISION, MARCH 2. 1891.
John S. Barker.
Tilon Williams.
Gustavus T. Tolman.
Edwin A. Turner.
John H. Prouty.
George 11. Clapp.
Seth Foster.
William S. Simmons.
George C. Cowing.
James H. Pinkham.
B. B. Poole.
Frank L. Hammond.
Frederick J. Croning.
John P. Henderson.
E. W. Gardner.
Benjamin Loring.
David Stoddard.
J. A. Damon.
Joseph H. Hatch.
Henry A. Turner.
Israel Hatch.
Seth O. Fitts.
C. Walter Sparrell.
Ezra E. Stetson.
George W. Curtis.
Henry F. Ford.
E. T. Fogg. Jr.
J. H. Lehan.
Webster A. Cushing.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS BARSTOW, GEORGE W. GRIGGS, ALPHEUS THOMAS, Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor.
32
THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
COFFIN POOR FUND.
Amount of fund $2,000 00 Loaned to the town of Norwell.
Balance available Jan. 1, 1890 .
$14 81
Interest accrued to Jan. 1. 1891
100 85
$115 66
Paid for care of cemetery lot ·
$5 00
for relief of out-door poor . 81 25
Cash on hand .
.
29 41
115 66
33
SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
A. T. OTIS POOR FUND.
Amount of fund . $2,000 00
Invested in Western and Southern mortgages.
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1890 $22 25
Interest accrued to Jan. 1, 1891
120 00
$142 25
Paid to inmates of almshouse
$60 00
for relief of out-door poor .
38 50
Cash on hand . .
43 75
142 25
34
FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
A. T. OTIS CEMETERY AND TOMB FUNDS.
Amount of funds .
· $1,500 00 Deposited in South Scituate Savings Bank.
Amount available Jan. 1, 1890 $7 20 ·
Interest accrued to Jan. 1, 1891 60 60
$67 80
Paid for flowers and care of cemetery lot $9 00
for care of tomb-yard . 5 00
Cash on hand
53 80
67 80
35
THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
JOSSLYN CEMETERY FUND.
Amount of fund .
200 00 Deposited in South Scituate Savings Bank.
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1890
$8 41
Interest accrued to Jan. 1, 1891 .
8 40
$16 81
Paid for care of cemetery lot
$4 00
Cash on hand
12 81
16 81
THOMAS BARSTOW, GEORGE W. GRIGGS, ALPHEUS THOMAS, Trustees of Coffin, Otis, and Josslyn Funds.
36
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
MARRIAGES.
REGISTERED IN NORWELL FOR THE YEAR 1890
DATE.
NAMES.
RESIDENCE.
WHERE AND BY WHOM MARRIED.
Jan. 15
Elvira Gunderway
Norwell.
Married in Norwell by Rev. S. R. H. Biggs.
Feb. 16
Anna F. Winslow
Hanover.
Married in Hanover by Rev. F. S. Harriden. Married in Norwell by Rev. S. R. H. Biggs.
April 25
Annie L. Bates
Norwell.
Married in North Scituate by Rev. T. Richard Peed.
May 8
Mary E. Poole ..
May 21
W'm. G. Collamore
Norwell.
Married in South Weymouth by Rev. Jacob Baker.
Frank E. White
Norwell
Married in South Weymouth by Rev. Jacob Baker.
Aug. 9
Jessie W. Merritt
Scituate ..
Married in North Scituate by Rev. T. Richard Peed. 6 Married in Norwell by Rev. S. R. H. Biggs.
Sept. 10
Esther M. Jacobs.
Norwell
Married in Marshfield by H. A. Oakman, Esq.
Charles R. Barstow
Norwell
Married in Brockton by Rev. H. A. Ridgeway.
Oct. 25 Edward A. Hatch
Marshfield
Married in Marshfield by Rev. Ebenezer Alden.
Oct. 28
Emma F. Luscomb
Salem
Nov.
Lillian F. Gardner
Norwell
Norwell.
Married in Norwell by Rev. Benjamin F. Eaton.
Nov. 20
Wm. L. Foster. Nellie Briggs
Married in Norwell by Rev. S. R. HI. Biggs.
Nov. 20
( Addie M. Cochran
Norwell ..
Dec. 14
edith W. Litchfield
Scituate ..
Norwell ..
Dec. 20
Grace L. Tilden.
Norwell .. ..
Married in Norwell by Rev. S. R. H. Biggs.
Dec. 23
( Carrie L. Wheeler.
Rockland.
Dec. 25
Edward Gammon
Norwell ..
Married in Cohasset by Rev. Ignatius P. Egan.
¿ Annie E. Barry
Scituate.
Married in Marshfield by Rev. Ebenezer Alden.
Nov. 9 Willie P. Hayden ¿ Helen M. Brooks
Norwell.
Hingham
Norwell.
§ James H. Leavitt
Norwell
Married in Norwell by Rev. S. R. II. Biggs.
William D). Turner
Norwell
Married in Scituate by Rev. W. H. Spencer.
Wm. L. Healey
George H. Lapham.
Norwell
Married in Weymouth by Rev. Jacob Baker.
Sept.
Edwin P. Tirrell
Boston
Boston
Married in Norwell by Rev. W. H. Spencer.
Frank Baker
Norwell. ..
Oct. 9 Ruth E. Stewart ..
Everett
Norwell.
Albert S. Greene ..
Norwell.
§ Married in Salem by Rev. A. G. Rogers.
June 8 ( Celia Scully .
Norwell.
Henry F. Henderson
Norwell.
A bington
Aug. 12
Louisa B. Craig
Abington
Married in Hingham by Rev. Jacob Baker.
--
Charles E. Totman
Norwell. . .
Hingham
Norwell
Norwell.
Mar. 2
Flora McInnis.
Norwell
John T. Hatch
Norwell.
Waldo Prince .....
Norwell.
James l'rince
Norwell ..
T'ilon Williams
Georgi- A. Rogers
Wm. H. Marvin
Annic McAvoy
Lizzie F. Coleman.
Carlton G. Tilden
Marshfield
37
BIRTHS.
DATE.
NAME OF CHILD.
1890.
Jan. 13
John H. Pierce
66
14
Lillian Agnes Hines
Mar. 5
Chester M. A. Thompson.
23
Herbert A. Merritt
66
30
Mabel Viola Ainslee
April 1
Carlton P. Farrar
66
3
Stoddard
Edward L. Lehan
66
21
Fred A. Curtis
22
Elizabeth L. McKenna
25
Alice P. Gunderway
May
12
Wendell Torrey
21
Harry A. Ainslee
June 7
Bertha E. Capell.
-
15
Elwin E. Tilden
17
Gertrude E. Prince
66
23
Viola M. Tirrell
July
18
Emily Burns
60
20
Stewart R. Bowker
66
21
Marie H. Leslie
66
22
Lizzie H. Litchfield.
Aug. 2
Edward Clarence Joseph.
25
Antoinette E. Jacobs.
28
Carrie E. Stoddard
66
29
Harry T. Sylvester
Sept. 24
Marion F. Hammond.
Oct.
8
- - Damon
66
21
John F. Nash
Nov. 6
Grace M. Reed
21
Aleida Wilder
Dec. 8
Mary E. White
25
Barstow
NAMES OF PARENTS.
and Annie E. Daniel and Mary. James R. and Ida. Geo. O. and Katie. Hatherly and Mamie. Albert T. and Mary E. Cyrus W. and Adelaide. Jeremiah and Mary L. Fred. M. and Mary E. Daniel and Hannah.
Henry T. and Hattie. Walter R. and Helen H. Atwood and Sarah.
George N. and Hattie E. Amos H. and Euphemia. Waldo and Elvira. Arthur R. and Mary T. B.
John W. and Anna M. Wilfred and Fannie. John E. and Catharine. Edwin and Cora. Emanuel P. and Nettie. Edwin A. and Ella. Arthur T. and Helen. Arthur and Jane. Frank L. and Lettie. Edwin and Mary E. William and Mira. Jesse and Annie. William E. and Lillie C. Frank and Celia. - and Lizzie.
19
38
DEATHS.
DATE.
NAME.
AGE.
CAUSE OF DEATH.
PLACE OF BIRTH.
1890. Jan. 20
Edwin Hayden
19
3
Heart failure.
Norwell.
21
Helen J. Berry
38
. .
Fatty degeneration Kidneys.
of
66
31
Leslie R. Hayden
2
1
Diphtheria
Weymouth.
Mar. 7
Sally Clapp.
70
4
Apoplexy
Scituate.
16
Annie Cleveland.
34
..
Septicemia from puru- lent peritonitis
New Brunswick.
66
17
Adaline Jacobs
36
1
Old age
Boston.
25
Jane S. Oakman
86
6
Old age.
Duxbury.
April 4
Carlton P. Farrar
4
d. Convulsions
Norwell.
66
8
Lucy S. Delano.
75
6 Pneumonia ..
Scituate.
14
Esther A. Prouty
64
5 Bright's Disease.
Boston.
81
5
Heart Disease
Scituate.
May 17
Charles C. Young
60
4 Heart failure.
No. Turner, Maine.
66
20
Frank W. Chamberlain.
22
5 Drowned.
Hanover.
June 7
Samuel A. Turner
98
2 Softening of Brain.
Scituate.
66
26
.Tohn McCurdy
78
3
Erysipelas.
Ireland.
July 5 Lucy B. Farrar
81
S
Apoplexy
Scituate.
10
Eliza L. Cudworth
8
Paralysis
Boston.
66
22
George P. Clapp.
73
5 Cancer.
Scituate.
Aug. 15
Walter J. Pease.
..
3
Cholera Infantum
Boston.
Sept. 11
Sarah J. White.
52
S
Typhoid Fever.
Hingham.
Oct. 2
Lusanna R. Turner.
81
6
Chronic Diarrhea.
Scituate.
66
24
Cushing Litchfield.
78
5
Nephritis
Scituate.
66
27
Martha Currell.
70
Carcinoma of Liver ....
Scituate.
Nov. 15
Harriet L. Vinal.
69
10
Hemiplegia
Hanover.
Dec. 20
Elmira Robbins
85
1
Old age.
Scituate.
Lucy C. Curtis
76
8
Bronchitis
Scituate.
23
William Hayden.
73
5 Spinal Sclerosis.
Scituate.
29
Bertha E. Capell.
..
6
Bronchitis
Norrell.
28
John L. Freeman
24
..
Consumption
Norwell.
30
Charlotte Simmons.
Newton.
Y.
M.
22
39
CITIZENS' CAUCUS.
The following vote was passed at the annual meeting in March last : That the selectmen be requested to call a citizens' caucus six days at least before the annual meeting in March, to nominate town officers for the ensuing year.
In accordance with the above vote, the citizens of the town of Norwell are requested to meet at the Town Hall, Norwell, on Satur- day evening, Feb. 21, 1891, at 7.30 o'clock.
THOMAS BARSTOW, GEORGE W. GRIGGS, ALPHEUS THOMAS, Selectmen of Norwell.
SCHOOL REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF NORWELL :
At the annual town meeting in March, Rev. S. R. H. Biggs was chosen to succeed Miss Gardner, who had resigned, and Mrs. Curtis was re-elected for a term of three years. At the first meet- ing of the new board, it was voted to keep the same officers as heretofore.
GENERAL REMARKS.
Our schools have been in session thirty-eight weeks during the year, with one exception, - the school in District No. 1 was closed for two weeks on account of an epidemic of measles, and, owing to the teacher's ill-health, only one week has been made up; the other will be made up this spring. For a good and sufficient reason, the school in District No. 3 was also closed for two weeks, but the time has all been made up, so nothing was lost.
BUILDINGS.
We have tried to keep our schoolhouses and grounds in good condition, that they might be a credit and not a disgrace to our town. During the summer vacation we had each one cleaned and the yards (when necessary) mowed and cleared up. In some of the schoolhouses we have had new black-boards made, as we firmly believe that black-boards and chalk are great educators. As we said last year. the schoolhouse in District No. 5 needs painting, and we would recommend an appropriation of $90 for the purpose. Why not have this done before it gets any worse, for then it will only take more paint (hence more money), and we cannot see any
42
economy in letting a building go until it will absorb paint as a sponge does water? Our schoolhouses have each received an orna- ment this year in the shape of a flag-pole and handsome flag.
The first flag-raising was held April 26, at the schoolhouse in District No. 6, the flag being presented by Mr. Jones, of Broekton, formerly of this town, whose first school it was. All the other flags and poles (including No. 6) were obtained by voluntary contribu- tions from parents and friends. It was a very noticeable fact that throughout the town there were very few unwilling to give something, if ever so small, towards purchasing the flags.
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Ix buying books and supplies, we have trie I to spend the money carefully, buying only just what was actually needed to keep our schools up to their usual high grade. Parents, do you remember how much it used to cost to keep your children supplied with books? We know that if you will think of this, you will find no fault with the bill for school books, but instead, will wonder how WE can manage it, at a cost of a trifle over two dollars per scholar, and all new books for the first class in the High School included.
TEACHERS.
We are glad to say that we have had to make no change of teachers during the year in our district schools. There is nothing that so hurts the work of a school as a constant change of teachers. By keeping the same ones, they get accustomed to the work re- quired, acquainted with their pupils, and know just what they ean do : while, on the other hand, the pupils learn to look on their teacher as a friend, and knowing just what is expected of them, they do it cheerfully and well. In our High School we have been less fortunate. To our great regret, Mr. Cox resigned the princi- palship last February, to accept a similar position in Cohasset. We then secured the services of Mr. Frank A. Cattern, who had been principal of a school in Scituate, but he too resigned at the end of the school year. In September, when school began again, we placed Mr. Arthur O. Burke, a Normal graduate, and who had previously taught in Shirley, at the head of the school. Under
43
his management, the school has again prospered. One very pleas- ant occasion, and one also of great interest to our teachers, was the Institute given by the State Board of Education at Hanover. On visiting the schools the next week after the Institute, we noticed that nearly every teacher had some new ideas which she was prac- tising ; thus showing to us that although there was no session of school on that day, the time was not wasted, because the teachers were benefited, and through them, the scholars.
An appropriation of $3,200 will be sufficient for the coming year.
Parents and friends, there are a few matters concerning our schools and the education of our children that we would like to speak about, and we earnestly wish you would give them your careful consideration. What are we to do about this matter of non-attendance? We have sent the truant officers to look up cases where the scholars have not pretended to go to school for five or six weeks at a time, but what are we to do with those who attend school only two or three days in a week ?
The law says a scholar must attend school thirty weeks in every year ; we most fervently wish that it said instead, every school-day in the year, for it is those who stay away a day or two at a time who really cause the most trouble : the " Little foxes spoil the vines." What, we ask, can a teacher do with a scholar who comes to school on Tuesday and then again on Thursday, and no more is seen of him until the next week ?
Please look at the abstract from the registers, fall term, district No. 5 : average number belonging, 20 ; average attendance, 14. Just think of that ! Six scholars who did not attend school at all. Whose children were they? Were they yours? Don't say, ". It was n't my child," and "I know whose child it was." We beg to differ from you ; you do not know whose child it was. for each one of the whole twenty stayed away days enough to amount to the same as if six had stayed away all the time. The other districts, although not quite so bad, are still nothing to be proud of.
We know very well that children are often sick ; we know you will not and we do not wish you to send them to school then; but if you were particular to send them every other day, most of our pupils would attend school a good many more days than they have done the past year.
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Then another trial is this : a scholar attends school in the morn- ing, and comes in the afternoon with a note requesting his dismissal at half past one, two, or three o'clock, as the case may be. If this occurred only once a month, we should find no fault; but coming as it does every day from four or five pupils, it does break into the work of the school very much. And why are these scholars dis- missed from school? To work or to go away, is invariably the answer. In nine cases out of ten, whatever they had to do could have been done just as well after school had closed for the night.
Parents, do you know that the scholars who attend school all the time are the very ones who suffer most from this non-attend- ance, for they have to be kept back while the teacher has to use her time and patience in making these truants " catch up " to the others ?
In July the examination for entrance to the High School was held, and out of a class of fourteen, twelve passed the examination successfully, and by the high per cents which they obtained reflect- ing great credit on themselves and on the teachers who so care- fully prepared them.
But there is one thing we must say in this connection, and that is, that pupils are NOT qualified, and parents ought not to expect them, to enter the High School until they have finished the course of study prescribed for the grammar schools. It may so happen, after three years' work in the grammar school, that they are able to answer questions enough out of the whole number to bring their per cent up to the average required ; then, of course, we cannot refuse to admit them, as we have said that a scholar who can obtain an average of seventy per cent shall be admitted ; but we Do say that they would be much better qualified to go on with the High School work if they had waited another year.
None of our mixed or grammar schools number so many pupils as does our High School ; so that if the pupils remain in these schools they can have much more of the teacher's attention than it is possible for them to receive in our now crowded High School.
We asked and advised you, in our report of the year 1888, to visit our schools and see for yourselves what your children were doing ; and we think that you did not read that part of the report, as, on looking at the registers throughout the town, we find just nine parents who have visited the schools. During a term of twelve
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