USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1910-1919 > Part 3
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Allen Mott, Grove street fire I 05
A. T. Jacobs, Grove street fire I 05
Hanover Fire Dept. Pine street fire 13 00
F. E. Henderson, Pine street fire 6 13
R. C. Henderson, Pine streel fire I 58
A. F. Henderson, Pine street fire I 58
Robert Smith, Pine street fire I 58 Chas. Smith I 58
Henry T. Gunderway, Pine, street fire 70
C. B. Macomber, Pine streei fire 70
T. Whittaker, Pine street fire 70
H. A. Gardner, Pine street fire 70
George Lee, Pine street fire 70
Ralph Gardner, Pine street fire 70
Waldo Prince, Pine street fire 70
James Prince, Pine street fire 70
Jesse Winslow, Pine street fire 70
Melvin Little, Pine street fire
70
E. E. Stetson, Pine street fire
70
W. S. Simmons, Pine street fire
70
C. T. Ainslie, Wilder fire
3 50
F. M. Curtis, Wilder fire
3 50
Edward Bates, Wilder fire
2 10
Francis Leslie, Wilder fire
2 10
Jerome Wadsworth, Wilder fire
I 05
North Hanover Fire Dept. High street fire II 81
$376 78
61
Reimbursed from State
$50 00
Appropriation
200 00
$250 00
Exceeded
$126 78
Sixth Annual Moth Report for Year Ending Dec. 31, 1910
J. H. Sparrell, 194 days. 4 hrs. at $2.50 $486 25 Use of team 11 50
Cash paid 4 25
J. F. Totman, 26 days, 2 1-2 hrs. at $2.00 52 63 F. M. Curtis, 49 days, 31-2 hrs. at $2.00 98 88
Chas. Bates, 25 days at $2.00 50 00
W. E. Sexton, 31 days, 5 hrs. at $2.00 63 25
Ernest L. Henderson, 36 days, 1 1-2 hrs. at $2.00 72 38
Arthur J. Turner, 4 days at $2.00 8 00
Alexander Black, 11 days at $2.00 22 00
Robert Leavitt, 14 days at $2.00 28 00
Harry McHugh, 14 days, 7 hrs. at $2.00 29 75
Frank H. Osborne, 39 days, 3 hrs. at $2.00 78 75
Albert Osborne, 33 days at $2.00 66 00
Chas. H. Jones, 4 days, 3 hrs. at $2.00 8 75
Wm. Leslie, 4 days, 3 hrs. at $2.00 8 75
Irving Winslow, 3 days, 3 hrs. at $2.00 6 75
John Bates, 3 days at $2.00 6 00
Edw. F. Winslow, 40 days, 3 hrs. at $2.00 80 75
John T. Osborn, 3 days at $2.00 6 00
Perry H. Osborn, 4 days, 3 hrs. at $2.00 8 75
Alvin G. Spencer, 4 days, 3 hours at $2.00 8 75
Geo. A. Bates, 30 days, 3 hours at $2.00 60 75
63
H. Earle Ainslie, 24 days, 2 hours at $2.00 48 50 Jerome Wadsworth, 5 days at $2.00 10 00
Harry Randall, 5 days at $2.00 10 00
Garrett MacDonald, 5 days at $2.00 10 00
Frank Baker, 5 days at $2.00 10 00
Amos H. Tilden, 5 days at $2.00 10 00
Harry G. Pincin, 9 days, 2 1-2 hours at $2. 18 63 A. J. Mitchell, express and carting 2 33
Curtis & Bates, stamps and supplies 5 93
A. J. Litchfield & Son, paint and supplies 3 10
W. T. Osborne, express, freight and carting 3 70
C. W. & E. H. Sparrell, team and man 6 75
W. D. Turner, team and man 22 50
E. W. Gardner, filing saws and repairs 2 45
Total expenditures $1,431 95
Town liability $367 98
Amount charged property owners 147 99
Amt. received from state to balance 915 98
$1,431 95
JOHN H. SPARRELL, Local Superintendent.
Miscellaneous
WASHINGTON STREET CEMETERY
W. W. Farrar
$27 00
H. G. Simmons
5 00
Fred Farrar
3 50
James Prouty
1 50
John Jones
1 50
A. Stoddard
3 00
George Bates
3 50
Edwin C. Briggs
1 00
$46 00
Refunded
$ 75
Appropriation
50 00
$50 75
Unexpended balance
$4 75
Received from sale of lots [$61 50
BOARD OF HEALTH
Commonwealth of Massachusetts $12 80
T. H. Farmer, supplies 13 00
E. W. Gardner, services
4 50
F. E. Henderson, services
15 00
65
H. J. Little, M. D., services 10 00
H. J. Little, M. D., medical attendance 173 75
Appropriation
$229 05. 50 00
Exceeded
$179 05
TREE WARDEN
Harry P. Henderson, labor
$32 00
Alvin Spencer, labor
14 00
Lincoln Ellms, trees
4 50
Appropriation
50 00
Exceeded
$ 50
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
H. J. Little, M. D. $4 00
Appropriation
25 00
Unexpended balance
$21 00
JAMES LIBRARY
Mary L. Power, treasurer
$100 00
Appropriation $100 00
$50 50
66
TOWN HALL
L. F. Hammond, janitor
$25 00
John F. Wilder, labor
3 78
Curtis & Bates, supplies
1 50
Unexpended balance
19 72
Appropriation
$50 00
SPRAYING ELM TREES
H. P. Henderson, labor
$93 02
Lyman Lincoln, labor
2 63
Frank Baker, labor
34 38
Irving Henderson, labor
2 00
Fred M. Curtis, labor
34 75
Merrimac Chemical Co., supplies
84 00
Charles Z. Smith, labor
17 38
E. E. Stetson, climbers Howard Delano, labor Carrie M. Ford, printing
4 60
2 00
5 00
H. S. Turner & Co., supplies
2 05
A. W. Young, rent of sprayer
10 00
Unexpended balance
384 79
$676 60
Appropriation
$650 00
Received for spraying
23 60
$291 81
$30 28
$50 00
67
Due for spraying
3 00
$676 60
ELECTRIC LIGHTS
Appropriation
$150 00
Paid for lights
5 33
Unexpended balance $144 67
SQUARES AND TRIANGLES
Appropriation
$100 00
Charles H. Jones, labor
$32 24
Lincoln Ellms, trees and shrubs
11 50
Church Hill Improvement Association 25 00
I. Austin Lincoln, labor
5 00
A. T. Stoddard, labor
4 05
F. M. Curtis, labor
17 12
A. J. Litchfield & Son, supplies
96
Unexpended balance
$95 87
4 13
$100 00
Report of Sealer Weights and Measures
Number of Platform scales sealed
4
All other scales sealed
19
All other scales adjusted
1
All other scales condemned
1
Weights sealed
50
Dry measures sealed
27
Liquid measures sealed
19
Liquid measures condemned
1
Linear measures sealed
3
Linear measures condemned
1
Milk jars sealed
145
Milk jars condemned
7
Test weights
1
Amount paid, supplies
$4 00
Amount paid, sealer
2 80
Amount fees received and paid to
Treasurer
3 62
$6 80
Net cost to Town
$3 18
ELLIOTT W. CROWELL.
Assessors' Report
Total valuation of real estate
Total valuation, personal estate
$942,014 00 194,356 00
$1,136,370 00
Taxable real estate
Taxable personal estate
$868,215 00 190,825 00
Exempted real estate $73,799 00
Exempted personal estate 3,531 00
$77,330 00
Total valuation, 1910 Total valuation, 1909
$1,136,370 00 919,847 00
Increase over 1909
$216,947 00
Tax rate for 1910,
$15.00 per $1,000 00
Town tax, 1910
$16,784 27
State tax, 1910 1,650 00
County tax, 1910
1,406 69
Street Railway, excise tax 1910
314 23
Persons assessed
1044
Persons assessed for poll tax only
147
Polls assessed 509
60
Polls exempted
Total number of polls
569
70
Acres of land
12,850
Dwelling houses
496
Horses
323
Cows
184
Neat cattle other than cows
29
Sheep
32
Swine
68
Fowl
7833
Tax Collectors' Report
ASSESSMENT OF 1909
Polls
$984 00
Personal
3,022 73
Real Estate
11,704 83
Excise Tax
295 42
Extra Assessment
25 20
Moth Tax
147 71
Interest on taxes
142 87
$16,322 76
Taxes abated
$612 14
Discounts
149 13
Cash paid treasurer, 1909
10,701 42
Cash paid treasurer, 1910
4,860 07
$16,322 76
FRANK W. JONES, Collector, 1909.
72
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT, 1910
Walter T. Osborn in account with Town of Norwell :
Dr.
Assessment
$16,784 27
Excise tax
314 23
Moth tax
147 99
Interest collected
1 57
$17,248 06
Cr.
Cash paid treasurer
$11,575 00
Excise tax paid treasurer
314 23
Discount
187 21
Abatements
40 32
Cash on hand
3 16
Outstanding taxes
5,128 14
$17,248 06
Financial Statement
LIABILITIES
Notes in favor of South Scituate Savings Bank.
Time Loan
$500 00
Anticipation notes, 1910
6,500 00
Interest on same to Dec. 31
145 63
Note in favor Coffin fund
2,000 00
Note in favor Otis fund
1,300 00
Outstanding orders
37 25
$10,482 88
RESOURCES
Due State Aid
$2,058 00
Town Aid to Poor
392 25
State Road
15 00
Inspection Cattle
17 00
Spraying Trees
3 00
Almshouse
8 28
Uncollected taxes
5,128 14
Cash in hands of treasurer
871 56
Cash in hands of collector
3 16
Interest due on Uncollected taxes
25 64
$8,522 03
Excess of Liabilities
$1,960 85
74
RECAPITULATION.
Highways
$1,997 50
State Road
2,428 74
Snow
542 53
Almshouse
733 63
Home Outdoor poor
2,731 00
Other town poor
568 55
State aid
2,058 00
Soldiers' relief
152 25
Gypsy moth
1,431 95
Incidentals
387 88
Town officers
1,639 45
Fire
376 78
Valuation
1,001 99
Cemetery
46 00
Board of health
229 05
Tree warden
50 50
School physician
4 00
James library
100 00
Town hall
30 28
Spraying
291 81
Electric lights
5 33
Squares and triangles
95 87
Post 112, G. A. R.
150 00
Moderator
5 00
Abatement of taxes
652 46
Discount taxes
336 34
State, county taxes
3,062 28
Schools
7,090 59
$28,634 39
75
CREDITS
Received from town aid
$299 55
Gypsy moth tax
147 99
State account gypsy moth
915 98
Spraying trees
23 60
Sale cemetery lots
61 50
State highway
1,185 00
Interest, bank balances
27 34
Forest fire
50 00
Licenses
27 00
Court fines
33 74
Sealer weights
3 62
Fish rights
3 63
Corporation and bank taxes
2,489 60
$5,268 55
$23,365 84 .
Location of Fire Extinguishers
WEST WARD
Joseph Briggs Clifford Brett E. G. Bates J. H. Curtis
Charles N. Gardner
School House, No. I
Edward W. Gardner
Charles W. Groce
Timothy Sheehan
Herbert Simmons
EAST WARD
Curtis & Bates
A. L. Ford
A. J. Litchfield & Son
H. S. Turner & Co.
James L. Litchfield
Amos H. Tilden
Carlton O. Litchfield
John Whalen
SOUTH WARD
Francis E. Henderson Melvin Little
Geo. E. Torrey J. C. Otis
Wmn. Tolman Joseph Tolman
E. E. Stetson
E. A. Jacobs
Frank Dyer
Alpheus Thomas
Charles W. Thomas
Benj. Loring
Richardson Bros.
Town Hall
Frank W. Jones
Andrew F. Jacobs
L. S. Whiting Geo. H. Turner
W. D. Turner
Town Farm John E. Leslie
Frank Thomas J. H. Hatch
Report of Trustees
THIRTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE COFFIN POOR FUND
Amount of fund $2,000 00
Loaned on town note at 4 per cent.
In Savings Bank, Jan. 1, 1910
$77 24
Cash on hand, Jan. 1, 1910
84 75
Interest on Bank Book
4 26
Interest on note
80 00
$246 25
Paid worthy poor
$82 55
In Bank, Jan. 1, 1911
128 95
Cash on hand, Jan. 1, 1911
4 75
Paid care of cemetery lot
30 00
$246 25
TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ABIGAIL T. OTIS CEMETERY AND TOMB FUNDS
Amount of funds
$1,500 00
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1910 257 85
78
Interest to Jan. 1, 1910
70 98
$1,828 83
Paid for cemetery repairs and flowers
$55 00
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1911
273 83
Amount of funds 1,500 00
$1,828 83
TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE A. T. OTIS POOR FUND
Loaned on town note $1,300 00
700 00
In Savings Bank
$2,000 00
In Savings Bank, Jan. 1, 1910
$103 97
Cash on hand, Jan. 1, 1910
54 96
Interest on Bank Book
32 78
Interest on town note
52 00
$243 71
Paid worthy poor
$105 12
In Bank Jan. 1, 1911
135 63
Cash on hand
2 96
$243 71
TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE JOSSELYN CEMETERY FUND
Amount of fund $200 00
79
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1910
17 98
Interest to Jan. 1, 1911 8 78
$226 76
Paid for care of lot
$8 00
Interest on deposit January 1, 1911
18 76
Amount of fund
200 00
$226 76
NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF
THE TRUSTEES OF THE SAMUEL C. CUDWORTH CEMETERY FUND
Amount of fund
$200 00
Interest on deposit, January 1, 1910
30 17
Interest to January 1,1911
9 28
$239 45
Paid care of lot
$8 00
Interest in bank
31 45
Amount of fund
200 00
$239 45
FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PRUDENCE C. DELANO CEMETERY FUND
Amount of fund
$300 00
Interest on deposit January 1, 1910
83 89
Interest to January 1, 1911
15 48
$399 37
80
Paid for repairs and care of tomb $12 00
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1911
87 37
Amount of fund
300 00
$399 37
THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE NANCY HERSEY CEMETERY FUND
Amount of fund
$100 00
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1910
2 15
Interest to Jan. 1, 1911
4 12
$106 27
Paid care of lot
$4 00
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1911
2 27
Amount of fund
100 00
$106 27
ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE BETSEY TOLMAN CEMETERY FUND
Amount of fund
$100 00
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1910
4 04
Interest of Bank Book
4 08
$108 12
Paid care of lot
$6 12
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1911
2 00
81
Amount of fund
100 00
$108 12
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE GEORGE P. CLAPP CEMETERY FUND
Amount of fund
$100 00
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1910
4 04
Interest on bank book
4 08
$108 12
Paid care of lot
$6 12
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1911
2 00
Amount of fund
100 00
$108 12
SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE MARY O. ROBBINS CEMETERY FUND
Amount of fund
$200 00
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1910
11 47
Interest on bank book
8 52
$219 99
Paid care lot
$8 00
Interest on bank book, Jan. 1, 1911
11 99
Amount of fund
200 00
$219 99
82
FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE CHARLES H. MERRITT CEMETERY FUND
Amount of fund
$50 00
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1910
1 55
Interest on bank book
2 06
$53 61
Paid care of lot
$2 00
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1911
1 61
Amount of fund
50 00
$53 61
FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE JAMES W. SAMPSON CEMETERY FUND
Amount of fund
$100 00
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1910
4 15
Interest on bank book
4 20
$108 35
Paid care of lot
$4 00
Interest on deposit Jan. 1, 1911
4 35
Amount of fund
100 00
$108 35
FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS' TOMB FUND
Amount of Fund $100 00
83
Interest on deposit Jan. 1, 1911 13 72
$113 72
Interest in Savings Bank
$13 72
Amount of fund
100 00
$113 72
FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE DAVIS DAMON CEMETERY FUND
Amount of fund
$100 00
Interest on deposit Jan. 1, 1910
5 32
Interest on bank book
4 24
$109 56
Paid care of lot
$4 00
Interest on deposit Jan. 1, 1911
5 56
Amount of fund
100 00
$109 56
FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE SUSAN C. DAMON CEMETERY FUND
Amount of fund
$100 00
Interest on deposit Jan. 1, 1910
2 20
Interest on bank book
4 12
Paid care lot $4 00
$106 32
84
Interest on deposit Jan. 1, 1911 2 32
Amount of fund 100 00
$106 32
FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE GEORGE H. BATES CEMETERY FUND
Amount of fund
$100 00
Interest on deposit Jan. 1, 1910
2 16
Interest on bank book
4 12
$106 28
Paid care of lot
$4 00
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1911
2 28
Amount of fund
100 00
$106 28
SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE GAD LEAVITT CEMETERY FUND
Amount of fund
$100 00
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1911
5 08
$105 08
Interest on bank book
$5 08
Amount of fund
100 00
$105 08
85
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF ADELINE PAINE CEMETERY FUND
Amount of fund
$200 00
Interest on bank book
2 00
$202 00
Interest on deposit, Jan. 1, 1911
$2 00
Amount of fund
200 00
$202 00
E. E. STETSON, F. W. JONES, W. D. TURNER, Trustees.
Auditor's Report
I have examined the accounts of the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, Treasurer, School Committee and Tax Collectors and find them correct.
ELLIOTT W. CROWELL, Auditor.
Appropriations Recommended For 1911.
Support of poor
$2,200 00
Incidentals
500 00
Support of Schools
6,500 00
Highway repairs
2,000 00
Special highway work
1,200 00
Removing snow, excise tax
Memorial day, G. A. R.
150 00
State aid
2,000 00
Soldiers' relief
200 00
Town officers
1500 00
Washington St. cemetery
50 00
Tree warden
50 00
Board of health
250 00
School physician
25 00
Squares and triangles
100 00
Town hall
50 00
Electric lights
200 00
James library
100 00
Fire department
300 00
Abatement of taxes
100 00
Discount on taxes
190 00
Gypsy moth
423 62
Town note
500 00
$18,588 62
Transcript of Articles in the Warrant
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING MONDAY, THE SIXTH DAY OF MARCH, 1911, AT SEVEN O'CLOCK IN THE FORENOON.
Article 1. To choose a moderator.
Art. 2. To bring their votes for a Town Clerk for one year, one Selectman, one Assessor, and one Overseer of the Poor for three years, a Treasurer, a Collector of Taxes, and Auditor, a Surveyor of Highways, five Constables, and a Tree Warden for one year, one member of the School Committee, one mem- ber of the Board of Health for three years, and to vote yes or no in answer, to the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town", all on one ballot. Polls open from 7 A. M., to 11 A. M.
Art. 3. To hear the reports of the several boards of offi- cers and committees of the town and act thereon.
Art. 4. To make the necessary appropriations to defray the expenses of the town, and for other purposes and to raise such sums of money as the town shall deem expedient.
Art. 5. To see if the town will authorize its treasurer un- der the direction of the selectmen, to borrow money in antic- ipation of taxes, and for disbursement under the provisions of the law relating to State Aid and Military Aid, and to defray
88
the expenses of the town.
Art. 6. What compensation will the town make for remov- ing snow and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 7. In what manner and time shall the taxes be col- lected for the ensuing year.
Art. 8. To make allowance to town creditors.
Art. 9. What sum of money will the town appropriate for the use of Post 112, G. A. R. on Memorial Day.
Art. 10. Will the town cause a statement of its financial affairs to be printed in February next.
Art. 11. Will the town appropriate a sum of money to be expended in the cemetery on Washington street.
Art. 12. What price will the town pay, for labor on the highways for the ensuing year.
Aricle 13. What action will the town take in regard to keep- ing the sidewalks in repair.
Art. 14. Will the town give any instructions to town offi- cers.
Art. 15. What price will the town pay for work at fires . for the ensuing year.
Art. 16. Will the town take any action in regard to the care of parks, squares, and triangles and make any appropri- ation for the same.
Art. 17. Will the town make an appropriation for the James Library in return for the free privilege of taking books which the townspeople now have.
89
Art. 18. Will the town appropriate a sum of money to be expended under the direction of the Massachusetts Highway Commission in the construction of one mile of road on Wash- ington street, Norwell, commencing at the Hingham town line.
Art. 19. Will the town contract with the Massachusetts Highway Commission for the construction of said mile of road
Art. 20. Will the town give instructions to the School Committee to reopen the school houses known as District number two and District number four.
Art. 21. Will the town instruct the Selectmen to sell the school houses in Districts number two and number four.
Art. 22. Will the town act in conjunction with the town of Hanover to have an electric light at the terminus of River street, Norwell, and Broadway Hanover, at the third Herring brook.
Art. 23. Will the town appropriate the sum of four hund- red, twenty-three dollars and sixty-two cents for the the sup- pression of Gipsy and Browntail moths.
Art. 24. What sum of money will the town appropriate to pay the Superintendent of Schools
Art. 25. Will the town raise and appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars for the purpose of fighting fires and for the purchase of additional fire apparatus.
Art. 26. What sum of money will the town appropriate for the purchase of a sprayer and the spraying of the elm trees along the highways.
Art. 27. Will the town give the Selectmen instructions in regard to taking up mortgages on the estates of persons sup-
90
ported wholly or in part by the town.
Citizens desiring additional articles in the warrant must present them to the selectmen on or before 5 o'clock P. M. February 18, 1911.
EZRA E. STETSON, WILLIAM D. TURNER, FRANK W. JONES, Selectmen of Norwell.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF NORWELL
FOR THE YEAR 1910
School Report
To the Citizens of Norwell : -
In presenting to you our annual report, we ask you to es- pecially notice our Roll of Honor.
Of the 227 children attending our schools, two have not been absent for three years, one for two years, ten for one year, twenty-six for two terms and fifty-eight for one term. We think this a very good record, much better than in former years. Let the good work continue and you will soon notice a vast improvement in scholarship also.
During the past year we have lost several teachers who had served us faithfully and well. Miss Scully, (Dist. No. 1, Grammar), Miss Rogers, (Dist. No. 1, Primary), Miss Burns, (Dist. No. 6, Primary) and Miss Ripley, (Asst. High School), all left us at the close of school in June. Of the four teachers hired for these va- cancies, only two are with us at the present time. The High School asisstant hired for the position, after promis- ing to stay a year, stayed four days, and when the Com- mittee refused to release her until a successor should be found, managed to drag through three more days, although under protest. The teacher (a Normal graduate) hired for No. 6 Primary, stayed ten weeks, but at the end of one week she wanted to leave, and frankly said she should do so at the first opportunity.
How much interest do such teachers take in the schools over which they have charge ? We have about come to
94
the conclusion that what are needed for country schools, are country girls trained for the positions, city girls or girls from thickly settled places, do not understand the conditions of country life and very seldom take kindly to it. Such is the opinion of Mr. Baldwin, Principal of the Hyannis Normal School, for in the latest report of the State Board of Education, he says :
"Some normal school graduates do now teach for a short time in country schools, but for the most part they are not the best teachers ; they are often city bred, know- ing nothing of country needs; and in every case no special preparation has been given to fit them to teach in country schools. It seems to me desirable that one or two of the Normal schools of this State shall offer a special one year's course to prepare young men and young women to teach in country schools."
A list of our teachers, with salaries paid at the present time is as follows :
F. W. Carrier, Principal High School, $1100 per year.
Mary G. Magner, Ass't in High School, $500 per year.
Gertrude M. Short, Ass't in High School, $500 per year.
Abbie E. Cutting, Grammar School, Dist. No. 1, $48 per month.
Gladys J. Mitchell, Primary School Dist. No. 1, $42 per month.
Eleanor E. Elliott, Grammar School Dist. No. 5, $48 per month.
Marion G. Merritt, Primary School Dist. No. 5, $44 per month.
Mabel E. Adams, Primary School Dist. No. 6, $40 per month.
Maria W. Tolman, Primary School Dist. No. 7, $44 per month.
Bertha M. Tilden, Drawing Teacher, $125 per year.
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The wages of our teachers have been increased the past year and will have to be again advanced in the near future, to meet the increased cost of living and to keep with us good teachers.
Mr. Hayes, our efficient Superintendent, remained with us this year, and, in recognition of his faithful services and to show our appreciation of them, at the meeting of the Joint Committee of Hanover, Hanson and Norwell, he was given an increase in salary of $100, this amount to be divided equally between the three towns. Mr. Hayes has a most pleasing manner in the school room and is equally at home in Primary, Grammar or High School. His visits are eagerly looked forward to by the pupils in all grades and his criticisms quoted on all occasions.
Mr. Hayes not only attends to affairs within the build- ings but also to the condition of the different rooms and outbuildings, suggesting repairs and improvements and trying to make the pupils realize that they should have a care over the town's property, that these buildings are for use and not abuse.
The school house in Dist. No. 7 received some much needed repairs during the long vacation, including shing- ling, new plastering, painting the walls and many minor repairs so that now it is in good condition and will need nothing further for some time.
Two new stoves were placed in Dist. No. 1 schoolhouse, the old ones being pronounced unsafe by the plumber.
We are hoping the coming year to add a course in music to our studies with a special teacher for the same as is done in all the neighboring towns. Several of our teach- ers have done quite a little along this line already, especial- ly in the lower grades.
Even the first year pupils are always pleased with the singing and if it were carried right along through all the grades, it would become as much a matter of course as the
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study of arithmetic, or any other essential study.
We wish we could persuade the parents and guardians of the pupils to visit the school room during school hours and observe the work that is being done. It is a habit, we are sorry to say, for people to report what mischief is going on in the schools, but very, very seldom what work is being done. For instance, a pupil comes home at night with a tale of what mischief he has done during the day, does the parent punish him ? No, in the majority of cases. the parent will immediately proclaim to everyone with whom he comes in contact as to what a failure that school is and the teacher is the "worst ever". And again, if a child is punished (as all children have to be) no matter what the punishment may be, instead of waiting to hear the facts in the case or even the other side of the story, the teacher is immediately arraigned as "unfit to teach a school", and should be summarily dismissed from her posi- tion.
Parents, remember that there are many hours in a school day and something is going on the greater part of the time besides mischief, if not, you are the one primarily to blame for not making your children see that their time is to be spent in getting an education and not in fun.
The most criticisms, and the most unjust criticisms of our school system, come from those people who under- stand the least about schools and who haven't taken the trouble to visit a school room for years and also find it an impossibility to control their own children at home, yet expect the teacher to transform them into young ladies or young gentlemen without any trouble.
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