[11] 



THE LOFFODEN FISHERY IN 1880. 



543 



For extraordinary clerical service during the fishery, were present O. 

 S. Revers and L. A. Meek, assistant diocesan clergymen. 



S. Nilssen, parish clerk of Melo, taught school forty-four days in 

 Stamsund. The number of pupils was upwards of GO, most of them 

 from Stegen and Lenvig. The course of study was the same as last 

 year. The school-day, as a rule, was four hours. In Henningsvaer 

 school was established also, but the attendance was small. Since 

 education is not comi>ulsory, the patronage depends largely on the 

 interest which the teachers can awaken in the school. On account of 

 the not inconsiderable number of boys who are present during the 

 Lofifoden fishery, without taking any direct part in it, I think that a 

 modification of the system of instruction for the fishing season is worthy 

 of closer consideration. The time of these boys, to be sure, is partly occu- 

 pied in baiting lines, cleaning, and cooking 5 but still a portion of them 

 remain in idleness. The matter must, however, rest until we learn their 

 number, and I shall undertake an enumeration next year. 



There are chapels now in Svolvser, Vaagen, Hopen, and Stamsund, 

 whilst in Ure one is being constructed. Churches are found in Kirke- 

 vaag, Henningsvaer, Valberg, Stene, Gravdal, and Moskenees. The 

 following table gives the expenses of the chapels, the contributions by 

 which they are erected, and also their debt : 



As a building fund for proposed chapels was collected: In Skroven, 

 1,700 crowns ($455.60); in Balstad, 140 crowns ($37.52); and in Nufsfjord, 

 300 crowns ($80.40). 



There is at present one reading room (in Stamsund). One is being 

 built in Ure, and in Henningsvoer 1,200 crowns ($321.60) have been col- 

 lected for a prospective reading room. 



Libraries are to be found in HenningsvjBr, Stamsund, and Svolvser. 

 In the last two places, however, the number of books is yet very small. 

 In 1878 the county council of Nordland granted to each hospital 50 

 crowns ($13.40) from the medical fund for the purchase of books. In 

 1879 the grant was extended also to the wards in Lofibden. It is very 

 desirable to repeat this grant for many years to come, in which case, 

 however, I think it is proper to advise that the purchase of books be 



