New Britain herald., 1930-03-24
MRS. ROBERT USHER
 IS 87 YEARS OLD
Motler-in-LaW Of Governor En-
 tertainS Children at Party
SCHOOL COSTS DECREASE
Rev. John F. Fay Delivers Farewell Scrmon-Forcst and Brush Fires Prevalent Here over Week -EnG- Methodist Pastor May Leave.

Mrs. Robert C. Usher of Farming ton avenue, mother-in- law of Gov ernor John H. Trumbull, is celebrat- ing her S7th birthday anniversary at her home today. Last evening she entertained her children and grand children with a party at her home. Governor and Mrs. Trumbull were present to congratulate Mrs. Usher and extend to her their good wishes. Mrs. Usher was born in Mont gomery, Alabama, but came to Plainville when a young child and has resided here ever since. She is | one of the oldest members of the Congregational church. Despite her advanced age, she is very active and | is enjoying remarkably good health. During the party last evening Mrs. | Usher joined in the merrimcnt and | added her voice in the singing. She reads the papers daily and takes an interest in the affairs of the day She attended the wedding of her granddaughter, Miss Florence Trum- bull, to John Coolidge last fall, wearing the gown which she had worn at her own wedding.
 She has five children, Mrs. Charles Clark, Mrs. John H. Trum- bull, and James, Frank and Howard Usher. One son, James, is postmaster of the local post office. Miss Doro- thy Clark. Miss Thelga Clark, Pierce l ,,l- L,, grandchildren Of Mrs. Usher, attend ed the party last evening. Six other grandchildren were unable to be present. Mrs. John Coolidge of New Haven paid her respects during the day.
 School Costs Decline
 The per pupil cost of the Plain vile High school has decreased almost $l00 during the last five years, according to compilation ot itures for 192S-29 recently made available by the division of field serv. ice of the state board of education The following figures show the de, creases in cost per pupil in average daily attendance since 1924.
 1924-o5 - s222.56; 1925-o6 - $lSS.14; 192G-27 - s1Sl.97; 1947-2s - s169.26: 192S-29 - S129.73.
 The median for the state as 6 whole is s13S.33 and there arc only 10 towns in the state where the pupil costs are lower than in Plain vile.
 In the elementary schools tn, per pupil cost for 192S-29 was s66 2G, while the median for the stat, was $S2.61. There are but 90 town with a lower per pupil expenditur, than Plainville, the only large toUI with q lower cost being New Mil ford.
 At present Plainvilc is 45th il population among the 169 towns il the state, 10th in the number o pupils in average daily attendance SSth in the grand list per pupil il average daily attendance. and 1o7tl in inc average receipts per pupil il average daily attendance.
 Statistical tales are available a the office of uperintendent o Schools Leon C. Staples and may b, studied by any interested citizen.
 Gives Farewell Sermon
 A very touching and impressiv, farewell sermon was delivered a the masses yesterday at the Churcl of Our Lady of Mercy by Rev. Johi F. Fay, who has been transfcrrcd tt St. Peters church. Bridgeport, E, Rt. Rev. Bishop John J. Milan 0 the Hartford diocese After servin; here as pastor for the past II years
 Father Fay bade all his parshon CTS farewell and thanked them fo the cooperation given him durin, his stay here. He stated that he hat seen the church grow to be one 0