Ferry

Ladies and gentlemen:

The second year of my official duties as mayor of this town having closed, it affords me the opportunity to place before you the following report of the several services that have engaged the attention and exertions of your council. The most important of which are the ferry, between the Town and the city of Halifax; the railway subvention; the water supply and sewerage; electric lighting; cemetery and post office; together with the ordinary services incidental to the health, good order and management of the town in general; some of which they have been enabled to carry to completion, while others, particularly the introduction of a water supply, and construction of systematic sewerage have, after much laborious investigation, been adjourned, pending the result of a further and exhaustive examination that has been carried out by the assistance of a committee you considerably appointed in September last. unquestionably the year just passed has been a momentous one for the town, and the measures that have been matured and carried into operation, notably the entire control and acquisition of the ferry must have a great influence on our future progress and development; the auditor’s report: here too appended, page 20 will show you in detail your present financial condition; and the future requirements will be shown by the reports of the various departments. I trust that the several steps that have been taken by your Council for the purpose of improving the well-being, health and prosperity of the town will be considered satisfactory and meet with your full approbation. I will now review the various departments under their several heads.

Legislation

The water supply in sewerage act of 1889 not having received your approval, and certain alterations being found necessary to make it a cord with the altered conditions then existing so that it’s privileges and Powers might be taken advantage of it any future time you might determine; your counsel promulgated and procured during the last session a short active amendment, insofar as was rendered requisite without making any material alteration in the principles of the bill. As instructed by your vote at a public meeting held March 6th, requesting your Council to take the legal steps to procure the authority and powers to establish an operate a corporation ferry, to and from Halifax; your Council procured the introduction, and notwithstanding the strenuous and persistent opposition of the Halifax and Dartmouth ferry company, secured the passage of an act investing a commission with full powers to carry out your desires, and authorizing your counsel to borrow the sum of 110,000 on debentures for the purposes of the ferry, and further in compliance with your vote at public meeting held 25th March last, your Council likewise secured the passage of an act in powering them to borrow the sum of 12,000, to enable the school commissioners to erect and equip three additional schools. this has been carried into effect by the issue of debentures for the sum of 12,300, bearing interest at 4% per annum, and the amount realized has been handed to the commissioners for the purposes set forth. And act was also procured repealing the 30th section of chapter 40 of the act of 1877, amending the towns incorporation act, and which restricted the council from levying and assessment exceeding the sum of $15,000 in any one year; this having been rendered requisite by the growth and increased requirements of the town.

By-laws and Ordinances

The prevalence of diphtheria in the town during the past summer rendered it necessary for the general health that your council, acting as a board of health, should draw up and submit to his excellency, the lieutenant governor in council, a set of bylaws and code of regulations, governing persons and places infected, which were duly approved; and having been published for the information of all concerned, have greatly assisted the health officers in carrying out their arduous duties.

The sanitary state of the Town

During the past year there has been an unusual outbreak of diphtheria in the town, several of the cases having been undoubtedly imported by parties coming from the city and outside districts. The number of cases during the epidemic has been distributed through 29 families, resulting in 40 recoveries and 18 deaths, the last case received a clean certificate from the doctor on the 24th December last. The only house in the town still under the band of infection is that occupied by Henry power on Tulip Street who since the diphtheric patient of his family died, has neglected to take the proper steps to cleanse and disinfect his premises so as to procure the necessary certificate. I am happy to say that by God’s grace and the efficient exertions of the doctors and health officers in carrying out the various orders and regulations of the board of health, together with the precautions taken by the citizens generally, the town is entirely free from the fatal scourge. having in view the fact that the town is absolutely without any sewerage, and that the water supply is defective in quality and inadequate and quantity, the death rate of the town has been surprisingly below that of many other places far more favorably equipped in these respects.

Railway subsidy

The several applications of the Dominion government for the annual subsidy of $4,000, now amounting to the sum of $20,000, having become important and in fact placed in the hands of their solicitors Messers Borden, Richie and Parker, for collection, and your Council failing to make their case understood by correspondence, and from the best information available, been assured that the terms and conditions of the agreement under which the demand was made against the town, have not fully complied with by the Dominion government; and that consequently the town’s liability had not accrued, decided in April last to send myself and his honor the recorder as delegates to Ottawa, to present their case personally to the government, and press the points relied upon as favorable to the town’s contention; with the result that the case has been for the time suspended to await the action of parliament at its forthcoming session, when it is fully anticipated that a satisfactory solution of this much effect and serious question maybe arrived at. It will appertain to the incoming Council to closely watch the case, and they may find it necessary for its success to send a personal representative again to Ottawa to press their claims.

Water supply and sewerage

This much discussed and important service has been passing through various phases during the year, and the act of the legislature of 1889 an amendment there too, of 1890, having failed to meet with the approval of the citizens as expressed at two public meetings held for the purpose of their consideration, a citizens committee was appointed on the 29th of September last, to inquire into the whole subject; who have since that time been engaged in an exhaustive examination and inquiry as to the capacity, capability, quality, and possibilities of the various proposed sources of supply, their cost of introduction and distribution, and have decided to virtually endorse the scheme as propounded by engineering, and adopted by the council in 1889, and recommend it’s adoption with some alterations in the mode of carrying out the work which, if approved by the citizens that to be held on the 26th, will necessitate the procuring of a new act from the legislature during their coming session. The plan of sewerage has been likewise approved with some slight modifications in the details of construction.

Finances

According to the auditor’s report and statements here to appended page 20, the receipts of the town from all sources, has been for the year 17,285.77, this with the balances in hand on the 31st December, 1889, of $1,156.72, balance due to treasurer or bank $54.68, and transferred interest from the school and fairy boards of 2,682.36, makes a total of $21,179.53, which some has been expended during the year as they’re in set forth. The current liabilities of the town are as follows:

The actual assets to represent the above are largely of a productive character, that is the fairy will of itself produce sufficient to cover the interest, the general finances of the Town having to provide the interest on the remaining 31,300 expended for schools, Town Hall and engine house.

The current liabilities show a heavy amount owing to the balance due to the ferry company on the purchase of their property by the commission, and for which the legislature will be asked to Grant authority to fund semicolon the amount paid to E.H. Keating C.E. on water supply; the purchase of land at spider lake; and the large amount of the assessment for the year still uncollected; which of itself is more than sufficient to cover all current outstanding claims chargeable on the current finances of the year.

Being nearly 10%, and end in excess of the same period in 1889 of $406.18, and is a larger amount that has been outstanding for many years, the only apparent reason for which is the general depression that has permeated the business portion of the community during the past two years; still with exercise of the utmost forbearance consistent with the town’s requirements, I’m fully assured that the greater portion of the amount will be collected.

The other current assets principally for poll tax and common rent are $338.74.

The only service that has during the year exceeded the estimated provision, was the construction of the fireproof vault in the town’s clerk’s office, and this was an item in which efficiency and completeness were imperative, and the work could not be curtailed; I have therefore much pleasure and congratulating the citizens on the very satisfactory state of the public finances, a detailed statement of receipts and expenditure with auditors report, will be founded page 20.

Ferry

The commission instituted by the act of legislature on the 15th day of April, having been duly appointed on the 17th of the same month, was at once organized and commenced to take the necessary steps to carry out the duties and post upon them, by taking over from the citizens committee on the steamer Arcadia that had been provisionally purchased on the 31st day of March to carry the foot passengers across the harbor upon the ferry company withdrawing the privilege of commutation rates; and made provision for the continuation of this initial service; they also immediately sent delegates to New Brunswick and the States to look for and report upon a boat suitable to undertake the complete team service; at the same time the engaged in engineer to examine and report on the most available site on the harbor for the Dartmouth landing, and to prepare plans for the docks, floats, landings, etc, that would be required on both sides of the harbor; after a lengthened tour of the delegates and extensive examination of various vessels, the steamer “Halifax”, (late “Annex 2”) was, on the report of engineer warring, supplemented by the recommendation of the delegates, purchased in New York for $25,000, to which the expense and insurance incurred to bring her down, the duty and necessary repairs and alterations required to fit her to receive the requisite certificate for the service, have to be added. During the proceedings pending the purchase of this boat, negotiations were opened with the existing ferry company for the purchase of their entire premises and plant, but no definite arrangement could be arrived at until after the final purchase of the steamer had been completed; soon after which the suspended negotiations were reopened and eventually led to the acquisition of the whole interest of the company it being transferred to the commission for the sum of $109,000, the sale being perfected as taking place on the first day of July last; that’s terminating the exciting contest for supremacy between the then existing company and the commission for the passing traffic that had been carried on with more or less vigor during the previous three months, and preventing the loss that must have a crude by operating an opposition fairy on a large scale.

By this purchase the investment of the commission was increased to the extent of $40,000 beyond the some contemplated. And for which you in public meeting called for the purpose on the 22nd day of July, voted approving the scheme, and authorized your counsel to apply to the legislature for the necessary power to borrow on debentures the said further sum of $40,000; but this is not likely to increase in any way the burdens of the town is the commission has entered into possession of property beyond the necessary requirements of the ferry that is producing an annual rent equal to the interest of about $35,000 of this sum, and the remaining interest will become a first charge on the earnings of the ferry itself; this property can at any time be disposed of when a purchaser can be found willing to pay a figure equivalent to its annual return; there are also two or three boats I can be dispensed with when opportunity offers, which will likewise reduce the capital investment.

As to the achievements that have resulted from the town’s acquisition of this undertaking, first there has been affected a bona-fide reduction of 40% on the rate for foot passengers, which is the chief source of income, this is participated by the public at large. The citizens of Dartmouth, who are the principal holders of commutation tickets, have not directly received any benefit from this reduction, as the special rates charged remain the same as of old; it has been found necessary to slightly increase the charge for commutations for team and vehicle traffic, in order to assimilate it more in accordance with the expense occurred. the great reduction from 5 to 3 cents has already been more than made up by the increased number of passengers carried, but this has been in some measure achieved by the reduced number of persons that have taken out commutation tickets, so that while the receipts from the general traffic for the past 6 months has increased nearly $1,000 beyond the corresponding period in 1889, the returns from commutation tickets for the same time has been $1,260, less than an 1889, but this appears to be largely improving, is the returns for the last quarter has made a great advance beyond the first. I therefore consider you may look forward in the near future to the time when this income will have increased to some Beyond its previous return. But the expenses are largely in excess of those incurred by the company; the running of larger boats, and those for longer hours, are in every respect to more costly affair; the engineers have to be of a more advanced class, and must be paid accordingly, the cruise have to be increased in number, and the quantity of coal consumed is increased 50%, this necessitates more yard labor to handle; the wear and tear to the boats, docs, and approaches, is beyond calculation, all these additions, with many others, added to the cost of maintainance will for some time militate against the accumulation of any surplus. The necessity of having to erect a new waiting room in station House in halifax, the repairs to docks, words and buildings, have made heavy demands on the resources of the commission, so that sometime will probably elapse before any much greater reduction in rates can be contemplated; but being in the hands of the citizens they have the assurance that so soon as the income May warrant, a revision of tariff rates will take place, and they will receive the full benefit that may be compatible with security. I trust that the accounts of the commission at the close of the first full year of operation will show on the whole a very satisfactory result.

Public schools

These have been under the control of a special commission for the past two years, and should now be showing the advantages anticipated by the change of management, how far these have realized I will leave to the judgment of such parents as of children in attendance, who should be in the best position to form an impartial opinion.

The town having in the spring of 1889, established a kindergarten department as part of the public system of education; which has now been operation upward of three terms, and if the special method of imparting instruction is in itself a success, apart from the original idea of introducing a brightening and invigorating principle into the lives of the little waves of a great city, who had previously found little in this world but squalor, want and misery; it is now quite time that it should be shown by the improved status the pupils that have received this training attain in the other departments of the schools, for if it terminates in their ability to imitate the actions of their instructors it is of small value semicolon I am sure you will anxiously watch the developments in this connection.

The sum asked for maintenance this year appropriated by your Council for the service was $6,603, which with the sum of 1,357.62 the amount of provincial Grant to teachers makes a total of $7,960.62, and there has been expended for this purpose $8,211.31.

For the purchase of land and the erection of three new buildings, the benches had been issued by the town for the sum of $12,300 for 20 years bearing interest at the rate of 4% per annum. The North end building of two departments has been erected, the Tufts Cove school occupying one of the rooms. The green veil or Central building for four departments is in course of construction, the contract for the Woodside building has not been let at present, and the commissioners have found it necessary to make an application for the further sum of 2,500 to enable them to complete the grading and fencing of the grounds attached to the central school and the erection of the building at woodside; the consideration of this additional requisition will devolve upon the incoming Council for a particulars see chairman’s report page 31.

Dartmouth Park

This fine tract of land has been, under the charge of the commission, planted with 500 ornamental trees, a pavilion erected, seats set up, the roads and paths have been improved, portions of land leveled, the surface stones removed, and drains constructed, which in the course of a few years will greatly add to the appearance and usefulness of the place as a public resort semicolon much more could have been accomplished had more extensive funds been available for this purpose. The receipts for the year have been, from the town funds, $250; from voluntary contributions, $55; an interest of deposit, $30.21; for building stone, $9.50; these, with the balance in hand on first January, 1890, of $831.62, make a total of $1,176.33. the expenditure has been for town, $100; pavilion, $210.38; labor and sundries, $563.63, and all $874.01, leaving a balance of $302.32, $300 of which wise in the bank on special deposit, and the sum of $50 of the voluntary contributions still uncollected.

Streets

This service has received the constant attention of the committee and overseer, who have endeavored to bring into as efficient of State as possible, the roads and streets of the outlying sections, and as in the year 1889, doing a little more than cleaning and maintaining the streets of the center plot, having in contemplation the necessity of their surfaces having to be broken up in the near future, for the purpose of constructing sewers etc. The some placed in the estimates was $2,100, out of which $2,081.44 has been expended. granite Crossing on water street, paving 500 ft of gutter with stone on Ochterloney street, the Reconstruction of several large culverts, the erection of new fences, the repairing of Lake road with 1,244 bushels of broken stone, 436 loads of shore gravel was used in the general repairs throughout the town, and in cleaning out and repairing the various gutters, drains and culverts this service will in the near future require a much larger expenditure, is the shore gravel now obtainable is becoming yearly deteriorated in quality, and all the pits in the vicinity of the town from which material have been from time to time drawn, have been exhausted, the only resource left being the purchase of an improved Stone crusher with portable engine, and the breaking up of the wind Stone so abundant on all.

The sum of $300 was provided for watering of streets; during the summer the committee had the cart out 43 days from May 23rd to September 26th, using saltwater throughout at an expenditure of $194.93.

Public property

Town clerk’s office– The sum of $250 was provided in the estimates for the construction of a fireproof fault, to contain the papers, vouchers, and documents appertaining to this office; this much required work has been satisfactorily completed by tender and contract at a total cost of $339.47, and all although this some exceeds the estimated amount by $89.47, still the outlay is small for the obtained certainty of security against possible loss by fire of the vast accumulation of documents, that no money compensation could possibly recover.

Lamont property– This is under conditional lease to Levi Conrad the dam in Mill being considerably out of repair the place is let at a nominal rental; the house was slightly damaged by fire during the summer colon and has been repaired at the charge of the insurance company.

Engine house and lock up– In additional room has been fitted up and added to the apartments of the caretaker of The engine House and necessary repairs affected to the lockup, at a total cost of $43.92. the bell tower of The engine House having lately developed symptoms of weakness will require thorough examination in the spring, and any defect that may be found attended to.

Street lamps– These at present number 57, distributed throughout the town; they include three new ones erected by the town, and one presented by ex mayor Simmons and erected in Ward 1 the cost for this service has been $755.93. I cannot leave this subject without reverting to the various proposals that have been made to employ electricity for this purpose; but has no reasonable plan that was likely to satisfy the requirements of the citizens, at a cost within the reach of your Council has been propounded, it has again been necessary to defer action in this direction for the time being semicolon but I trust that, through the many and great improvements that have, and are continually taking place in the application of electricity to Street and other lighting, it will not be long before it can be made available.

Pumps and Wells– There are at present 19 public Wells and 18 pumps these have been duly cleaned and repaired there has been during the year one new well excavated and three new pumps set up the whole service insofar is it extends is in a satisfactory condition although the quality of the water is in general far from good and the distribution inadequate to meet the requirements of all sections; the amount expended has been $167.69.

Fire department– This service has been maintained in its usual state of efficiency, and is promptly responded to the several calls during the year, which have been six, this, three alarms, and three fires, and in each case the fire was so far controlled as to confine its ravages to the building within which it originated, the amount expended has been $457.92.

Police

The usual force has been employed and from the large extent of ground to be patrolled by so small of force, it has on the whole been satisfactorily performed, the town having been exceptionally free from disorder in crime; the expenditure for this service has been $1,197.94. a change has been decided upon whereby half of the force will be from the first of the present month perform night duty and, and it is fully anticipated that the change will be the means of preventing the repetition of a series of petty offenses that have been at various times occurred to the annoyance of the citizens.

Liquor Licenses

This is the fourth year in which the only application for license has been from messers Oland and sons and company, for a wholesale Brewer’s license, for which they have paid the statutory application fee of $10.

Poor

There has been an increase of two persons chargeable to the town during this year, making a total of eight, namely, five males and three females; they have been taken care of in the county pores farm at a charge to the town of $424.37. they appear to have received all requisite care and attention. The other charges under this department amount to $179.19 for usual Grant to dispensary and general assistance to some of the families while suffering from attacks of diphtheria and other indigent persons.

Pauper lunatics

The number of town patients in hospital at the commencement of this year was eight, admitted since two, making a total of 10. Two patients have died, and one has been discharged, leaving a balance of seven in hospital at present chargeable to the town, VIS three meals and four females. the amount paid to the hospital has been $66.50, do on the 31st of december, 1889, of which some the town has received for maintenance, etc, of the patient the sum of 117.46, making a net expenditure of 489.04, paid by the town. There is now due to the hospital to date the sum of $1,138.29, which will have to be provided for in the estimates for the year 1891.

Public cemetery

The plot of ground devoted to this purpose is nearly all taken up, and although there is an authorization to extend the enclosure southwards to the line of stairs street, it has not been deemed advisable to carry it into effect, the general consensus of opinion being favorable to the establishment of a place of burial further removed from the population, and in this connection your Council has been like their predecessors untiring in their inquiries and examinations of localities for this purpose, but have up to this present failed to recognize a plot that will meet all the requirements; they haven’t viewed two probable parcels of land either of which can be procured, and they are in many respects very suitable, but each has its own deficiencies. From the massive information that will be placed at the disposal of the incoming council, I have every reason to Hope they will be enabled at an early date to select a satisfactory plot that will meet with your full approval.

Post office

I have much satisfaction in reporting that the Dominion government have acknowledged the long made just claims of the town for a change in this service; at the last meeting of the legislature a sum of money was placed in the estimates for the purpose of purchasing a site for and erecting a suitable building for a post office. After full consideration your Council have decided that the lot of land owned by the ferry commission on the southwest corner of Portland and water streets, is the most suitable site for this purpose, and they have appointed a committee to wait on the county members of the House of Commons to request their services in recommending the same to the government, and urged the necessity of the work being proceeded with immediately.

Litigation

During the year no very important litigation has occurred. A suit was brought against the town for proceedings of the street committee in 1889. The committee had made an arrangement with Mr Franklin, who assumed to be the owner of the Cottage Hill property, for the privilege of taking Earth from the side of the hill to repair the streets. The ownership of the land has since been claimed by Mr L.B. Fairbanks, who brought a suit against the town for the value of the Earth taken. The cause was tried before Mr Justice Townshend, who gave judgment against the plaintiff on the ground that no trespass was shown to have been committed outside of the line of the street, even assuming that the land adjacent was that of the plaintiff, as alleged by him. The plaintiff has appealed from this judgment to the supreme Court in banc.

Before closing this report I have to acknowledge the great obligations I am under to the several members of my council, the numerous commissioners and others with whom I have been associated in the onerous duties of the various services of the town, to his honor the recorder, the town clerk, and other officials of the town, for their hearty cooperation and cordial assistance under many difficult and trying circumstances and carrying out of the various duties devolving upon them and the ability with which they have throughout attended to the best interest of the town.

Thanking you for the honor and confidence you have a second time bestowed upon me and with sincere wishes for the progress and prosperity of the town of Dartmouth, I have the honor to be, ladies and gentlemen,

Your most obedient servant, Frederick Scarfe, Mayor

Dartmouth NS January 22nd 1891.

Auditors report

To his worship the mayor and counselors of the town of Dartmouth:

Gentlemen,-

We beg to report having audited the books, vouchers and accounts of the Town clerk and treasurer, including the books, vouchers and accounts of the board of school commissioners, Dartmouth, for the year ending December 31st, 1890, all of which we find in order and correct.

Annexed is a list of the current liabilities of the town, and a statement of the consolidated and bonded debts, as shown by the ledger accounts and sundry documents placed in our hands for inspection.

By the accompanying statement it will be seen that the receipts for the year amounted to $19,968.13, and the expenditure to $21,179.53, leaving to debit of the Town $54.68, being the difference between receipts and expenditure, less 1,156.72, balance at credit of the Town brought down from last year.

The statement of the board of school commissioners shows that the receipts for the year amount to $8,146.23, and the expenditure to $8,211.31, leaving a balance to the debit of this account, $48.98. it will be seen the balance between receipts and expenditure shows $65.08; the difference, $16.10, is in the balance brought down.

By the school board capital account the receipts from debentures sold amount $11,998.65, and sale of Falconer house, $255 = $12,353.65, and expenditure on school sites and buildings, $5,520.20, leaving balance of $6,733.45, on special deposit, $6,200 in Bank current account $484.47, and owing this account by general fund $48.98.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

Geo. Foot, W. Creighton, } Auditors

Dartmouth, N.S., January 12th, 1891.

Statement of Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Dartmouth for the year ended 31st Dec., 1890.

Auction, Hackney, Truck & Trader’s licenses and Dog Taxes Paid, 1890

Dartmouth Municipal Court

Police Court

Staff of Teachers, Nov 1890

Ratepayers of the town of Dartmouth

Ladies and gentlemen it is my duty, as chairman of the board of school commissioners, to lay before you a brief report of the receipts and expenditures for the financial year ending the 31st December last, and also to acquaint you with the general condition of this most important branch of the public service.

Seventeen teachers were employed during the winter, and 18 during the summer term of the past year, an increase of one over the corresponding terms of the previous year.

During the winter term the schools were open 118 days full time; $988 pupils were enrolled, who made a total attendance of $73,389 days, or an average of 62% of the school days was open.

It is to be regretted that, owing to the prevalence of diphtheria, it was deemed advisable to close the schools in the center of the town for about 6 weeks. During this term the schools were open only on an average of 68 days; the enrollment was $1,057. The total attendance during this time was 44,404 days, making the average 62% of the enrollment, daily present.

The attendance for the term previous to the appearance of diphtheria, was much larger than that of the corresponding term of any previous year; but the attendance from the reopening of the schools, until the end of the year, was only about 1/3 of the usual number.

The total number of different pupils enrolled during the year was 1,176, and increase of 45, or about one department, but there is no doubt had it been not for the outbreak of diphtheria the increase would have been very much larger.

The total cost for the year was $7,975.46, or a per capita cost of $6.78 for those enrolled, which is an increase of six cents per capita over the last year; but if the increase in attendance had been as large as anticipated, the per capita cost would have been less.

The equipment is much better than formerly, and the teachers are there for enabled to do better work.

The kindergarten department coordinates easily with the regular primary departments; many of its methods have been carried on in the succeeding department, continuing that training of the hand and eye, so valuable and afterlife.

The action of the board and establishing this department has been fully endorsed, by the establishing of three fully equipped kindergartens, in the city of Halifax, besides several others in different parts of the province. In a few years, no town of any importance will consider its system complete, without a department in which Froebels principles are fully practiced.

The attendance in this department for the past term was 69, which is as many as can be efficiently taught. It is to be regretted that the assistance are all from Beyond the confines of our own town; but these unpaid, but wise young ladies will reap benefits, that should be secured by those among us.

As the people everywhere are asking for practical education, and are urging the establishment of manual training schools, it can readily be seen that, our kindergarten is a step in the right direction introducing as it does, the manual training at the outset, which is admitted by all, to be the proper time.

The schools’ banks still continue to be well patronized.

The amount deposited since their establishment, three years ago, has been $3,165.15.

Of this amount there has been transferred to the Government and Post Office Savings’ Bank $2,501.

Repaid to depositors $343.35.

Leaving a balance in hand of $320.80.

$300 of which is on deposit in the Union Bank, Halifax, at four per cent interest, and $20.80 in same bank in the current amount.

The contract for the school at the North end was awarded to Mr John T. Walker for the sum of $2,149, being about $1,600 less than the next tender.

Several tenders were received for the construction of the central building, but Mr Walker’s tender was again $28 lower than any other, being $5,997. The building is now in course of construction, and will be handed over to your board early in the spring.

The architect in preparing the plans has made provision for future needs; and has so designed it that future enlargements can be economically made. The building will, when completed, enable the board to provide for all the pupils attending without renting outside rooms.

Your bored considered the question of sites very carefully, and examined a number in all quarters, getting prices and comparing sizes. The site selected were in each case fully considered, and all things being taken into account, your board feel the selections were the best that could be made with the funds at their disposal.

At the North end a site was purchased from Mr D. Farrell measuring 200 ft on Windmill road and 150 ft on the side street.

On this site they have erected a fine substantial building containing two rooms, one of which is now occupied. This building is lighted, heated and seated according to the most approved methods.

It is so situated, that while doing Justice to the residents at Tufts Cove who have been promised such accommodation for several years past, it will also be convenient for a number residing in the North end of the town.

A site has been purchased from Mr AC Johnston at the south end, at such a distance from the sugar refinery that a number of pupils residing in the town may be accommodated without coming, as at present, to Hawthorne school.

In the center of the Town a site has been purchased from Mr James Shand, measuring 249 ft on Ochterloney street, and 283 ft on pine street, which street, according to the deed, has to be extended so as to meet an extension of quarrel street, thus making it a corner lot. The lot contains nearly one and one half acres.

The three sites cost about $350 less than was estimated; but the cost of construction being so much greater, that when park and Hawthorne schools were built; you’re bored find that they will not be able to accept tenders for the south end school, and for fencing and out buildings for the central school, without a further Grant of $2,500. You’re bored regrets having to ask you for a further sum, for completing the work, but as tenders were asked for, and the lowest accepted in every case, they feel that you will see they were as economical as possible, and did the very best they could with the money voted.

It is gratifying to note the very few cases of corporal punishment inflected on pupils during the year, and therefore we must conclude that the moral character of the young is improving.

The action of the ferry commission in passing the children attending the county academy, without charge, has removed one of the principal reasons for starting a high school in Dartmouth, and therefore your board has not deemed it advisable to add that department to the system.

Appended will be found a statement of receipts and expenditure both for the general and capital accounts.

I have the honor to be, ladies and gentlemen, your obedient servant,

W.H. Stevens, Chairman of the Board of School Commissioners.

Dartmouth Board of School Commissioners