The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-07-20
Maine Increa sed lu Valuation Mil
lion and Half.
THE INCREASE ABOUT SAME AS
THAT OF '96.
Taxation ON Bicycles Has Tended to I'm
prove Highways-Ice Business on Ron
nebec Discouraging-Consum Be
low Average on Account of Cold
Weather-Man Drowned at Moosehoad.


thus far made by local assessors to the
board of state assessors, it appears that
the increase of the valuation of property
in the state will probably be about as
much this year as last, in the vicinity
of 81, 5000 The real estate is holding
up we'll and If any shrinkage there be, it
is on the line of personal property.
The returns are as yet incomplete and
of such as have been made, no collection
of matter has been attempted with a
view of determining any increase or
falling off in special lines. But, it can
be assumed from general conditions re-
ported that the increase in valuation will
be the same as for 1896.
The taxing Of bicycles is one that, since
a year ago, has become far more general,
and it is the prevailing opinion that it's
effect on road improvement is very
i marked
i One feature of this is the removing
loose stones from the roads, which previ-
GUS to the general use of the bicycle, were
often disagreeable and nuisance in
every particular, but, becoming almost
prohibitive to bicycling, the pressure to-
ward improvement has been SO general
that communities have found 1t advanta-
geous In many ways and not very expen-
sive, either to keep the roads s'picked
up, )" leaving a better impression upon
the residents and tourists.
OF valuation taken from IA towns in
Kennebec county, there are 215 wheels
assessed in them valued at $685., making
an average assessed value of $50 apiece.
The board of state assessors will hold
meetings this week with local boards as
follows: Belfast, Rockland, Wiscasset,
Boothbay and Bath.
The annual meeting of the stockholders
fo the Augusta Water company was held
in this city this afternoon, resulting in
the election of the following board Of
, directors, the same as last yeal, which
organized as follows: President, George
Il P. Wescott, Portland treasurer, Hon. j.
J H. Manley, Hon. j. Manchester Haynes,
Oscar Holway, Esq Augusta, and J. F.
Bodwell of Hall DWELL.
The season in the ice business on the
Kennebec is discouraging one. The
cold weather the past spring has made
the consumption in the large cities far
below the average. Excepting the past
two weeks, the season has been the cold
est in the history of the ice business. OF
the l 1,097 900 tons housed last winter, there
has been shipped 800, 900 tons, and there
is a prospect that all will carry over
more or less. This weeks shipment from
} the Kennebec will probably be about
10000. With a hot August and Septem-
ber the ice dealers are hoping to make out
a good seasons business, but the outlook
is not at present flattering.
4 A special to the journal from Green.
vile says that Fred A. Sands was
drowned Sunday in Roach pond. He was
crossing the pond in canoe and is sup
posed to have had an attack of rheumatism
around the heart. The body was re-
covered and taken to South Sebec. He
was 45 years old and is survived by a wife
and two daughters.
An interesting letter from Hon. L. T.
Carleton, the chairman of the board of
fish and game commissioners to guide
is given for publication. In the letter
Mr.. Carleton, in answer to questions
asked, refers to the question of foxes de-
stroying deer, stating that there is no
doubt that they do destroy these animals
in large numbers.
In answer to question regarding the
J registering of foreigners, Mr.. Carleton
, writes: ~ beg leave to say that it has
been the policy of the commissioners to
look out for our own people first, and
if there are enoughof our own citizens
registered guides to supply fully the de-
mand, We have been unable to find any
good reason why we should admit for
eigners to registration to compete with
: our own people and cut down wages
By foreigners, mean residents of other
countries who come here simply to guide
for time and return when the season is
; over.''
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