USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1879-1880 > Part 2
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Jonathan Frost, for rent of land for Engine No. 3. 4 00
Cuminings' Express, for carting. 2 05
William M. Phillips, for repairing music stand on Common in 1876. 3 50
Gilman C. Gleason, for returning 44 deaths to Town Clerk 11 00
Gilman C. Gleason, repairing hearse. 2 00
Gilman C. Gleason, services at burial of James Baker in 1878. 5 00
James A. Bancroft, for cash paid to finish wall on Curtis street 8 81
James Reid, for services on Committees. . 5 00
Joseph L. Pratt, for railroad tickets 3 15 . George Beasely, for tarring trees on Com- mơn. 2 50
Francis V. B. Kern, for abstract of mort- gages 19 44
$354 4
SCHOOLS.
Appropriation. $7500 00
State School fund . ¥97 º5
$7697 05
Amount drawn.
7662 37
Amount unexpended $34 68 INCIDENTAL SCHOOL EXPENSES.
Appropriation
$700 00
Amount expended.
693 88
Amount unexpended. 6 22
21
REPAIR OF HIGHWAYS.
Appropriation. $2500 00
Amount drawn 2500 00
CLEARING SNOW.
Appropriation
$300 00
Amount drawn
94 57
Amount unexpended. 205 43
WIDENING WILLOW STREET.
Appropriation.
$200 00
Amount drawn 200 00
SIDEWALK, MAIN STREET.
Appropriation.
$300 00
Amount drawn 272 37
Amount unexpended. 27 63
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Appropriation. $300 00
Dog Tax.
178 41
$478 4I
Amount drawn 478 41
CEMETERY.
Appropriation.
$250 00
Amount drawn 200 00
Amount unexpended. 50 00
SOLDIERS' GRAVES.
Appropriation.
$100 00
Amount drawn
100 00
OLD SOUTH CLOCK.
Appropriation. .
$50 00
Amount drawn
50 00
WATERING PLACE, WEST STREET.
Appropriation. $25 00
Amount drawn 21 40
Amount unexpended.
3 60
22
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation $1700 00
Amount drawn 1668 03
Amount unexpended. 31 97 .
SUMMARY. RECEIPTS.
Received for schools. appropriation $7500 00
school incidentals ... do
700 00
ordinary charges .... do
3000 00
Fire Department .... do 1700 00
interest on town debt do
3200 00
repairs on highways. do
2500 00
widening Willow St ..
do
200 00
sidewalk Main street.
do
300 00
removing snow .
do
300 00
Public Library
do
300 00
cemetery
do
250 00
soldiers' graves
do
100 00
Old South clock.
do
50 00
$20,100 00
overlayings
do
$686 04
State tax.
do
650 00
County tax
do
939 º7
additional taxes as-
sessed
do
7 14
2282 25
Amount of tax list.
$22,382 25
Received from State, corporation tax.
$574 44
State, national bank tax
278 51
State, school fund.
197 05
State, State aid .
1338 75
State, for relief of indigent sol- diers and sailors
940 65
State, for support of State pau- pers.
25 13
Amount carried forward. $3354 53
23
Amount brought forward. $3354 53 Received from County Treasurer, dog licenses. 178 41 County Treasurer, discount on county tax. 9 39
town of Malden, for support of
Sarah 1 .. Penney 75 95
town of Woburn, for support of Henry Berry. 168 50
town of Woburn, for support of Alfred M. Richardson 6 28
for interest on deposits
58 76
interest on taxes 357 51
auctioneers' licenses 4 00
taxes after abatement. 5 18
gas consumed at High School. 3 00
school books. 60
from School Committee for gravel. 13 48
estates held for taxes. . 679 48
hospital for insane at Danvers. . 6 50
$4921 57
Due from State for State aid for the year 1879. $1131 00 State for military aid for the year 1879 45 00
State for State paupers. 49 80
city of Boston, for support of Luella R. Lloyd and family .. 76 25
city of Springfield, for support of Or- ville N. Wilder 13 75
town of Malden, for support of Sarah L. Penney. 7º 79
town of Athol, for support of Miranda
and Julia E. Ellenwood. 69 56
Amount of tax list $22,382 25 Receipts from State, town, etc. 4921 57 Due from State, towns, etc. 1456 15
$1456 15
$28,759 97
24
EXPENDITURES.
Paid for schools. $7662 37
school incidentals.
693 88
Fire Department 1668 03
cemetery .
200 00
printing
225 25
Public Library 478 41
soldiers' graves 100 00
Old South clock.
50 00
watering place, West street 21 40
repairs of highways 2500 00
removing snow.
94 57
sidewalk, Main street 272 37
widening Willow street. 200 00
abatement of taxes
301 29
town office. 179 70
street lights
354 41
town officers.
1726 87
miscellaneous
354 43
poor in Almshouse
832 98
poor out of Almshouse 2206 33
tramps, 1265 at 30 cents each
379 50
military aid .
State aid. 1057 00
State tax 650 00
county tax. 939 º7
interest on town debt
3087 75
town debt.
600 00
taxes and expenses on estates held for taxes
612 89
$27,559 50
Total receipts. 28,759 97
Total expenditures
27,559 5°
Receipts more than expenditures. . $1200 47
25
VALUATION FOR 1879.
Real estate. $2,802,884 00
Personal estate. 294,177 00
Total valuation. $2,377,061 00
Amount of taxes assessed 22,382 25
8 80
Rate of taxation per $ 1000
Number of polls .805
Number of dwelling houses. .682
The financial standing of the town is fully set forth in the reports of the several departments, and the unusually able and thorough showing of your auditing committee. There will be a demand for somewhat larger appropriations for the coming year, made necessary in part by the fact that they have for the last four or five years been making but few improvements, hardly keeping the buildings, high- ways, etc., up to the standard of good condition and repair, and partly from the somewhat pressing demand for additional street lights and cisterns.
THE ALMSHOUSE.
Especial attention is called to the condition of the Almshouse ; increase of the number of inmates, inconvenience of the plan of the building for its present use, and long-needed repairs, make it quite necessary that something should be done, not only for convenience in the care, but also for the safety of the lives of the inmates.
There is but one flight of stairs leading to the second story, which fact alone shows what disadvantage and extra labor attends the care of bedridden inmates, and also the inadequate means of escape in case of fire.
Each person should have a separate bed, and when convenient, a separate room, while the fact is, there are now in most rooms two beds, and in some three, each occupied by two persons. What the Overseers would recommend is, that the one-story ell be removed, and one of two stories added, thus furnishing more rooms and mak- ing the present accommodations more available. The house also needs painting, and the west part of the roof of the main house needs shingling.
26
TOWN RECORDS.
The records of the town are invaluable ; recent occurrences of the loss of town records in other places has brought this subject promi- nently before us, and we think that the protection from fire of the records and other property of the town in the town office, is a subject which should receive immediate and serious consideration.
CISTERNS.
Precaution for the extinguishment of fires are always wise. In some localities the supply of water is ample, while in others it is defi- cient. We are therefore in sympathy with the requests for cisterns so far as to recommend that something of this nature be done each year until all parts of the town are equally supplied.
By the resignation in the early part of the year, on account of ill health, of the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Mr. J. B. Leathe, the town was deprived of the services of an able, careful and judi- cious officer, whose long term of office and devotion to the best inter- ests of the town, made his services particularly valuable. His asso- ciates on the Board have felt the loss of his careful and constant labors, and feel that they do but simple justice to the people of the town and themselves, in giving expression to their appreciation of his labors, and personal respect for him at this time.
JOSEPH L. PRATT, Selectmen
JAMES REID, of
WILLIAM J. HOLDEN, Reading.
Dr.
JAMES A. BANCROFT, Treasurer, in account with the Town of Reading. Cr
To balance in treasury March 26, 1879. . .
$15,748 70 By paying Selectmen's orders .$21,669 79
cash of town of Malden for support of S. L. Penney
75 95
town debt ...
600 00
town of Woburn for support of Henry Berry
168 50
interest on town debt.
3,087 75
66 for support of A. M. Rich-
State tax. 650 00
6 28
county tax. .
939 07
auctioneer's licenses. ..
4 00
taxes and expenses on estates held for taxes. . 612 89
tax after being abated.
5 18
$27,559 50
hired money .
500 00
Uncollected taxes for 1877. $101 40
interest on deposits.
58 76
Uncollected taxes for 1878. 2426 31
tax list committed to collect.
22,382 25
Uncollected taxes for 1879, 6402 57
8930 28
corporation tax, $574 44; national bank tax, $278 51
852 95
Cash balance in treasury.
7165 74
State aid, $1,338 75; State paupers, $25 13 ..
1,363 88
relief of indigent soldiers and sailors .. ..
940 .65
discount on county tax.
9 39
Kirk Sweetser, Executor, (bequest for cemetery) ..
100 00
school fund, $197 05; dog licenses, $178 41.
375 46
L. B. Smith, for gas for High school ..
3 00
on account of C. W. Kelley.
6 50
from estates held for taxes.
679 48
school books ....
60
school committee for gravel.
13 48
funeral expense of William Pierce
3 00
$43,655 52
Reading, March 26, 1880.
JAMES A. BANCROFT, Treasurer and Collector.
$43,655 52
ardson . .
interest on taxes.
357 51
AUDITORS' REPORT.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1880.
LIABILITIES.
Town notes March 1, 1879.
$57,500 00
Town notes March 1, 1880.
57,400 00
Decrease for the year
100 00
$57,400 00
Interest accrued on town notes
957 25
Due Fire Department (estimated)
1,100 00
Miscellaneous debts.
60 00
$2,117 25
$59,517 25
AVAILABLE ASSETS.
Unpaid taxes. $8,930,28
Due from State (aid account) March 1, 1880. 1,286 00
Due from Sate (relief of indigent soldiers) ... (military aid)
55 50
town of Malden.
70 79
city of Boston
76 25
town of Athol.
69 56
State (support of paupers). 49 80
Claim on estate of Eben Beard 165 23
Cash in treasury. 7,165 74
$17,994 74
Net debt March 1, 1880.
$41,522 51
(28)
125 59
29
SCHEDULE OF TOWN PROPERTY.
Town farm.
$4,000 00
Personal property at town farm
1,843 76
$5,843 76
Cemetery land and lots.
2,300 00
Hearse
100 00
House
75 00
2,475 00
Eagle engine and hose carriage.
500 00
House.
500 00
Hancock engine and hose carriage
450 00
House
1500 00
Washington engine.
100 00
House .
25 00
Union engine.
25 00
Hook and ladder, carriage, etc
350 00
Furniture and hose
1500 00
$4950 00
Property in town office.
400 00
School house and furniture
30,000 00
Public Library.
2200 00
Piano and apparatus in High school
500 00
33,100 00
$46,368 76
We have examined the books of the Selectmen and Treasurer for the year ending March ist, 1880, and find the same correct and sat- isfactorily vouched.
J. C. GLEASON, FRANCIS BARTLEY,
Auditors.
Reading, March 26, 1880.
Annual Report
OF THE ROAD COMMISSIONERS.
In making their annual report, your Road Commissioners would say, that owing to the extra work of laying flagg and curb stones, they have been obliged to use the whole amount of the appropriation, and there are yet two bills due against the department ; also owing to the unusually open winter, the roads are worn much more than in seasons when the ground has been covered with snow ; therefore we would recommend the sum of three thousand dollars for ordinary re- pairs, and three hundred for clearing snow.
The receipts and expenses have been as follows, viz .:
ORDINARY REPAIRS.
Paid George Beaseley, keeper, for labor of self and team. $112 73
Emerson Smith, for labor 71 25
Timothy Riordan, for labor 98 IO
Henry S. LaClair, for labor
I32 I2
Henry S. LaClair, for material
36
Henry S. LaClair, for team
85 79
Orin N. Jones, for labor.
76 65
William LaClair, for labor
73 57
B. Foley, for labor . 60
Wm. T. Temple, for labor 3 00
A. F. Emerson, for labor of self and team. 35 90
A. F. Emerson, for rails . 4 00
Newton Symonds, labor of self and team .. 15 00
Milo Parker, for labor. 2 38
Amount carried forward. $710 55
(30)
31
Amount brought forward . $710 55
Wm. G. Nichols, for labor of self and team 2 19
WVm. G. Nichols, for gravel. . 35
Charles Wakefield, for gravel ..
2 40
Charles Wakefield, labor of self and team.
2 50
Waldo Brothers, for drain pipe. 31 11
Joseph Breck & Sons, for tools.
[ 28
Whittemore Brothers, for tools
I 90
Noble Bunker, for labor.
25 65
H. W. Batchelder, for labor.
24 60
William Holmes, for labor
38 10
A. G. Carter, for labor of self and team . . .
39 00
Wm. L. Jones, for labor of self and team ..
47 70
Benj. F. Pratt, for labor. 33 85
A. G. Emerson, for labor
3 00
Darius Buck, for posts.
7 00
George Ballard, for labor
20 25
Wendell Bancroft, for labor and lumber. . .
I 75
Henry Gorus, for labor.
20 25
J. S. Bond, for gravel. . I 36
Chas. H. Ballard, for labor I 42
Ames Gowing, for labor
31 42
Albert Nichols, for gravel .IO 70
W. W. Davis, for gravel -.
15 45
Geo. H. Parker, for gravel
13 50
Dana Parker, for gravel 29 46
J. D. Jones, for labor. 3 60
J. D. Jones, for posts. 5 70
John Mellen, for labor 98 25
Chas. A. Weston, for labor.
142 25
Chas. A. Weston, for labor of team 136 30
O. A. Swain, for labor 77 40
A. S. Perkins, for gravel.
3 00
Bradley Bancroft, for labor
33 60
James Sullivan, for labor 16 50
Jeremiah Shannon, for labor 29 70
Charles Green, labor of self and team 15 45
Alexander Nelson, for labor 56 IO
R. A. Harmon, for labor of self and team. 100 50
Amount carried forward, .
$1,835 09
32
Amount brought forward $1,835 09
Thomas Pears, for gravel. 4 48
William Ramsdell, for labor 50
Daniel Sullivan, for labor
62 40
Mathew Hanley, for gravel. 10 15
Joseph B. Hopkins, for labor 9 15
J. M. Eames, for labor and drills 8 75
M. M. Cummings, for gravel 5 80
J. W. Bruce, for gravel 2 48
William Proctor, for gravel.
4 60
A. J. Varney, labor of self, man and team. 4º 35
Michael Forbes, for labor of self, man and team. 34 07
Michael Forbes, for drills
25
Patrick Barrett, for labor 42 30
Oscar Foote, for gravel. I 32
T. F. Gould, for labor. 9 34
R. D. Wilkins, for labor and stone 63 80
Joseph Stokes, for labor 3 00
J. B. Nichols, for labor of man and team .. 18 00
A. B. Day, for labor. 4 50
R. C. Totten, for labor. 6 39
D. C. Sanborn, for labor 3 00
Daniel Nichols, for labor
IO 95
J. H. Verity, for labor 10 50
B. & M. Railraad, for freight I 16
Augustus Fultz, for labor. 7 50
R. B. Nichols, labor of self, man and team
38 85
E. P. Nichols, for labor
15 05
Geo. R. Turner, for gravel 2 08
Chas. H. Moulton, for stone. 2 00
Asa Parker, for labor of self and team . .
28 00
Asa Parker, for gravel 9 92
M. E. Bancroft, for gravel 35
J. A. Bancroft, for labor. 5 70
John Fluke. for labor. II 25
William Frost, for labor 11 63
Daniel B. Lovejoy, for labor 3 00
Jaques Gowing, for labor. 14 00
Amount carried forward, $2,341 66
33
Amount brought forward $2,341 66
Benj. Peterson, for flagstone.
97 68
Benj. Peterson, for edgestone 18 41 John Doucette, for labor of self and man. . 36 97
Parker & Stone, for nails. 67
Cummings' Express, for labor 2 65
John A. Blunt, for labor . 6 71
$2504 75
Credit by cash of G. C. Gleason, for loam $3 50
Levi Abbott, for loam I 25
4 75
Appropriation $2500 00
There is due George Beaseley, keeper, for labor $56 17
There is due town of North Reading, for repairs of bridge 12 25
$68 42.
WIDENING WILLOW STREET.
Paid John Doucette, for labor of self and men .. $64 25
Chas. H. Moulton, labor of men and team. 33 00
Geo. R. Turner, for gravel. 3 90
Chas. A. Weston, labor of self and team. . John Mellen, for labor
22 35
12 75
O. A. Swain, for. labor.
12 75
George Beaseley, labor of self and team. 25 50
Timothy Riordan, for labor 12 75
Patrick Barrett, for labor
12 75
Appropriation
$200 00
MAIN STREET SIDEWALK.
Paid Chas. H. Moulton $225 00
Daniel Sullivan, for labor 3 15
Patrick Barrett, for labor 3 00
Joseph Stokes, for labor 3 30
O. A. Swain, for labor. 60
John Mellen, for labor 3 30
Chas. A. Weston, labor of self and team. . IO 40
Jeremiah Shannon, for labor. 2 40
Amount carried forward, . $251 15
34
Amount brought forward . $251 15
Michael Forbes, for labor of self and team 4 80
Timothy Riordan, for labor 1 20
William Porter, for gravel 2 25
Timothy Doucette, labor of self and men .. 5 87
John Doucette 2 10
Lawrence Duley, on account of ditching. . 5 00
Unexpended
$272 37 27 63
Appropriation $300 00
FINISHING WALL ON CURTIS STREET.
Paid R. D. Wilkins, for labor $8 81
Unexpended 44 46
Balance of appropriation for 1878. CLEARING SNOW.
$53 27
Paid Oliver A. Swain, for labor. $2 33
Robert A. Harmon, labor of self and team 4 20
John S. Ellenwood, for labor
1 50
Emerson Smith, for labor
I OO
Timothy Riordan, for labor
75
George Beaseley, labor of self and team. . 13 00
Chas. A. Weston, labor of self and team. . 12 20
Alden S. Johnson, labor of self and team ..
3 00
Moses Dennett, for labor
I 65
Joseph Stokes, for labor.
60
Samuel R. Roby, for labor
I 35
Bradley Bancroft, for labor 60
John Mellen, for labor.
I 65
Henry S. LaClair, for labor
3 70
Orin N. Jones, for labor
I 53
William Holmes, for labor
I 35
Wm. G. Nichols, for labor of team
70
Chas. H. Moulton, labor of self and team.
16 12
F. P. Nichols, for labor 3 22
R. B. Nichols, for labor of self and team. .
7 58
Amount carried forward, . $78 03
35
Amount brought forward, .. ... .$78 03 Wendell Bancroft, labor of self and team. 4 80
Webster Eames, for labor I OI
J. D. Jones, for labor.
15
Clarence Barbrick, for labor
60
James Wilson, for labor
75
F. J. Bancroft, for labor
30
Daniel Sullivan, for labor.
75
Johnson Richardson, for labor
45
Levi Towne, for labor.
I 50
R. M. Boyce, for labor of self and team. .. 3 83
Wm. L. Jones, for labor of self and team. . 2 40
$94 57
Unexpended.
205 43
Appropriation.
$300 00
JAMES A. BANCROFT, Road CHARLES A. WESTON, Commissioners HENRY S. LACLAIR, of Reading.
Report of the Cemetery Committee.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Balance on hand at beginning of the year $27 20
Drawn from town appropriation 200 00
Received from sale of lots 65 00
Paid for labor in the cemetery 272 51
$292 20
Balance in the hands of the committee. . $19 69
F. O. DEWEY. G. C. GLEASON, T. B. PRATT, W. S.RICHARDSON, W. J. WIGHTMAN, S. BANCROFT.
Committee.
Reading, March 1880.
(36)
Annual Report Of the Board of Engineers.
To the Board of Selectmen :
The Board of Engineers beg leave to report to your honorable body as follows : Since our report submitted March 18th, 1879, the the following alarms of fire have been sounded to which the depart- ment responded : May 1, 1879, the house and shop of George Thayer on Grove street ; loss, $2100 ; insurance, $1600. August 6, 1879, the barn of Reuben F. Gray on West street was struck by lightning and totally destroyed ; loss, $800 ; insurance, $300. Aug. 9, 1879, the lumber shed of A. J. Morey on Salem street ; loss, $600, no insurance. Nov. 7, 1879, the stable and contents of G. W. Abbott on Ash street ; loss, $1900 ; insurance, $1400. Nov. 21, 1879, the house, barn, and carriage house of J. K. Foss on West street ; loss, $6100 ; insured for $6500. Jan. 21, 1880, an alarm caused by a burning chimney at the Baptist church on Salem street ; no damage. Total number of alarms, 6; total loss, $11,500 ; total insurance, $9800 ; loss of property over and above insurance, $1700. The engines, hook and ladder carriage, hose reels and hose, are all in good order, but we feel it our duty to again call your attention to the fact that there are several localities which are in need of a supply of water, and we renew our recommendations contained in previous re ports, that the town take measures to build at least one good cistern or reservoir annually, until we are well supplied with water at all necessary points. The expenses of the department during the year were as follows :
(37)
38
Paid T. Littlefield, coal grate for Eagle engine house .. $1 00
W. H. Bancroft, services as steward of Han- cock company to May 1, 1879 . . . 36 00 Chas. H. Lang, services as Chief Engineer to May 1, 1879 . . 25 00
Frank B. Cummings, services as steward of Eagle Co. to May 1, 1879 . 20 00
members for services to May 1, 1879 . . . . 1325 84 Geo. H. Parker, services as Assistant En- gineer, $12 ; as clerk, $5 . 17 00
Belt & Leather Stuffing Co., one barrel of castor oil, hose dressing 59 37
Horace A. Parker, for labor of oiling hose 3 50
Wm. L. Crowe, for labor of oiling hose ... 3 5°
B. Field, for sundries. 5 35
James Dewhurst, for services as Engineer from May 1, 1878, to May 1, 1879 . . . 12 00
Samuel Brown, for sundries. 11 75
Henry Gorus, for labor of cleaning cistern. 2 00
Wm. L. Crowe, labor of cleaning cistern. . J. A. Smith, for labor of cleaning cistern. . A. J. Varney, for cleaning cistern and watching fire .
2 00
2 00
4 00
M. E. Nichols, for setting glass in Eagle engine house. I 26
David Crowell, labor on cisterns in 1876 .. 5 50
R. C. Totten, for labor and material . . . 16 25 Edward C. Bancroft, services as fireman for year ending May 1, 1879, (out of poll tax) . 2 00
E. C. Nichols, services as Engineer to May 1, 1879. 12 00
D. P. Babb, for teaming
I 50
Horace W. Blanchard, on account, for ser- vices as engineman . 5 00
Daniel Creesy, services as Engineer to May 1, 1879 13 00 1
Amount carried forward, $1,586 82
39
Amount brought forward $1,586 82
J. C. Gleason, for coal. 3 00
Hunneman & Co., for sundries 41 60
T. F. Gould, for use of horse for drawing hooks and ladders to fires. 7 00
Parker & Stone, for sundries for Fire De- partment. 2 50
P. McCall, straps etc, for Fire Department 7 00
John A. Blunt, for sundries 5 16
M. A. Stone, for sundries. II 20
W. L. Crowe, cleaning snow from cisterns. 3 75
$1668 03
Amount unexpended. 31 97
Amount of appropriation $1700 00
The Hancock engine and hose carriage has been newly painted and varnished the past year, by Garfield & Co., and their bill amount- ing to about $60, has not been presented for payment and will have to be provided for in the appropriation for the ensuing year. The large well, on Haven street near Simes' block, will need repairing and clearing out the coming season, at an estimated expense of $100. We are of the opinion that it would be economy to repaint the Han- cock engine house and we estimate the expense at $40, which neces- sitates us to ask for an increase over the appropriations of the past few years. We therefore recommend that the sum of nineteen hun- dred dollars ($1,900 00) be appropriated to defray the expenses of the department for the ensuing year. In closing our report we tender the thanks of this Board to the officers and members of the several com- panies in the department, for their cordial support, and the faithful performance of their duties during the year.
All of which is respectfully submitted. CHARLES H. LANG, Chief Engineer,
E. C. NICHOLS, G. H. PARKER, D. CREESY, Assistants. J. DEWHURST, j
GEO. H. PARKER, Clerk.
Reading, March 22, 1880.
Library Report.
In submitting our twelfth annual report, we have to say that the public library now contains 4,315 volumes, which is about one and a half volumes to each person in town presumed to be capable of using books. As a matter of fact, however, only 720 persons have used the 12,947 books taken out during the year, equal to 18 books to each person using the library, or 4 books to each person in the town. Comparing with other towns, Stoneham has a less circulation to each person. Wakefield and Watertown report 6 to each inhabi- tant, and Melrose has 7.
Our receipts and payments for the year have been as follows :
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation
$300 00
Dog tax.
178 41
Fines
41 24
$519 65
PAYMENTS.
Rent
$133 33
Insurance.
30 62
Salary and labor.
115 00
Printing catalogues, etc
38 36
Books, cards, etc
183 34
Binding books
13 64
Literary World
2 88
Expenses.
2 48
$519 65
(40)
41
We have recovered the Cuvier, which was purloined from our li- brary last year, finding it in a bookstore in Boston, where it had been sold. The other volume, Drake's History and Antiquities of Boston, taken at the same time, not being found, has been replaced by an- other. In order to prevent a repetition of the offence by making detection more ready and certain, the librarian has stamped the best and largest portion of our books in various places in each volume, with the name of the library.
In addition to other purchases, we have placed in the library the pictorial volume entitled " Home of our Forefathers," an interesting pictorial by our townsman, Mr. Edwin Whitefield. It is placed among the volumes for reference and cannot be taken from the library.
Unusual interest has been recently developed as to the relation the public library has to the school and to popular education. Carlyle is quoted as saying that the true university of these days is a collection of books. A good library is like a dictionary, not a mere mass of pages to be read through, but a vast repository of learning for the continual use and reference of all comers.
It' has been the effort of some of our best teachers, for several years, to teach more by topic and less by mere text-book. The lesson being assigned in any given study, the pupils are encouraged to gather information on the given topic from every available source. The library becomes an important factor in this work, and an effort has been made to furnish our library with standard works suited to this object. During the past year the trustees voted to allow the teachers of any of our schools to draw ten books at a time for the use of their pupils. When our teachers avail themselves to the full ex- tent of this privilege, we shall expect interesting and profitable results.
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