Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-21

position regarding the renewal of the
contract for city lighting. The propo-
sition was referred to the committee
on lights, they to report at the next
meeting.
Several reports of city departments
were received and accepted.
The report of the trustees of the
Hallowell cemetery, gave an account
of the receipts and expenditures. The
report stated that little had been done
! the past year in grading the extension
| to the cemetery, as a sufficient num-
Der of lots were already graded for i'm
mediate requirements. They We're of
the opinion that the work should not be
| commenced until sufficient funds had
accumulated to complete it in a thor
cugh manner and according to the
latest and most improved methods of
plotting the ground The report was
! signed by John w. Clarke and George
A. Stafford trustees.
The report of the overseers of the
| poor shows business like administra-
ton Of affairs. The whole number of
persons at the farm during the year
was 10; whole number of days board,
1851; present number at farm 4 males,
|
| The report includes an inventory of
the house furnishings and stock at the
farm. Signed by c. G. Wall, Ben Ten.
| ney and H. l.. Grindell.
Following is the report of the school
COMMITTED:
| To the Honorable Mayor and City Gov
| erhnent of HalloWell:
| Gentiemen:-1he close of the year finds
our schools as whole in a very satisfac-
tory condition. The work OF your com
| mittee was made unusually difficult the
| past year because of several important
| changes in the teaching force During
| the year Miss Susan r. Scott, first assist
ant in the High school, was obliged to ask
| for n leave of absence on account of fail
ing health. She had proved herself a SUI
| perior teacher and was very popular with
| ner pupils 1t was with great reluctance
| that your COMMITTEES, yielding to the ne
| cessities of the situation. granted Miss
Scott leave of absence for several
| months, and finally accepted her resigna-
ton at the end of the school year. Rev.
G. ~. Wight acted as substitute for Miss
Scott duriag the time of her absence. Al
the end Of the spring term, Principal c..
| w. Stowell rendered his resignation,
| which necessitated the choice of a new
principal for the High school.
| At the same time the Lakeman Gram
mar school was left without a teacher.
| Your committee feel that in the selection
| Of teachers to fill these important yacan-
| cies they have been exceptionally sue
cessful. Principal Guy c. Howard of the
| High school, came to us with a fine equip
| ment for his work, and an exceptionally
good record as teacher He has proved
| himself to be gentleman of superior
| .haracter, a thorough scholar and teacher
| and a good disclplnarian. Miss Jessica
| Haskell, who was chosen for second as
| sistant in the High school, is universally
popular with her pupils, and is teacher
| Of unusual ability. She has succeeded in
| drousing a good deal of enthusiasm for
| work among her pupils, ana IS herself
person OF great energy and tact
| Miss MinEeola Clough was chosen az
| eacher Tor the Lakeman Grammar
| -chool. 1t is very gratifying to your com
| -nlttee to be able to report that Mis-
| Clough has met with entire success in he
forts to improve the condition OF thi.
| important school, Good order and pro-
| -lclency in work now characterize the
| 5chool.
| said that they are all doing most excel
lent work. They have in past time proved
| lneir fitness and worth, and are entitie,
| to high praise for the superior work they
are doing. Your committee feel that a.
| .egards the present teaching force, there
| IS every reason for satisfaction on the
| part of the patrons of the schools, and
| ..iey are hopeful that few changes in the
| force will occur in the coming year. In
| is our aim to secure the very best teach
ers available for the salaries that we are
| able to offer.
| Your committee are very much pleased
with The new school building now near
! ing completion, made possible by the
| munificence of the late Maria Clark and
| we believe that the better accJmmoda
| tons for work that the new building will
| afford will greatly advance the interests
| of our schools. The building is substan-
Tally built, neat in appearance, and is sit
uated so as To afford fine playground for|
| The pupils. The rooms are large ana
| cheerful. BY bringing so many Of oui
| schools under one roof the work OF super
vision will be greatly facilitated and niue.
money will be saved for the city. 1t Is
, our conviction that the new environment
will increase the zeal for work on the
Jart OF both teachers and pupis, and that
| 4 new impetus will be given to the cause
| of education in or city. The new enter
| prise is Il mark of public spirit shown by
our citizens that is deserving OF the high
est praise.
There is still room for Improvement in
| our schools and we have some problems
that are not easy to solve. 1t IS only by
| the practice of the strictest economy that
| the work can be carried on with the ap
propriations allowed us. Your committee
nave found it very difficult to secure COM
petent teachers for some of the schools
at the present rate of compensation Tor
services rendered. So long as the pres
Ont condition exists, changes in the teach
ing force are sure TO be frequent, espec-
tally in the High school.
1t was a great misfortune when music
and drawing were taken out of our
chools. 1t was surely step backward.
No community should permit its youth
to grow up without being taught to sing.
1t is only in childhood that this art can
be acquired. Music adds very much to the
interest of the pupils in their work, ana
exerts a wholesome influence upon the
schools We are of the opinion that mu-
sic, at least. ought to be put back into
our schools without delay, and we urge
that the appropriations of funds for the
coming year be increased with special
reference 10 this matter. /
The attendance at the High school Is
much smaller than it ought to be. Some
nf he fu
bers are obvious. There have been fire.
quent changes in the teaching force. mi
some instances there has not been a
hearty cooperation on the part of pail
rents and guardians Of the puplls Manyl
OF our Youth are misied by the opportuni,
ties of securing employment AZ small
wage afforded by the Industries Of this
and neishbering Communities Inere Is
feeling on the part of some tnat the
COURSE of studies III the High school is
not as PRACTICAL as 1t should be. These
are some Of the reasons for the apparently
decrease of interest in the work of the
High school, An earnest effort to over
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