[11] 



THE LOFFODEN FISHERY IN 1880. 



543 



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

 S. Eevers 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 60, most of them 

 from Stegen and Leuvig. 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 compulsory, the i^atronage 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 

 Loffoden fishery, without taking any direct part iti 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 ; 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 Moskenses. The 

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

 which they are erected, and also their debt : 



Place. 



Chapels. 



Cost. 



Svolvser . 

 Vaagene . 

 Hopen . . . 

 Stamsand 

 Ure 



Crowns. 

 4,400 

 2,000 

 2,500 

 9,200 

 3,200 



Contribution — 



^r*:'^ i'--'^t«- 



Crowns. 

 2,500 



2,000 



Crowns. 

 1,900 

 2,000 

 2,500 

 6,100 

 800 



Debt. 



Crowns. 



650 

 1,100 

 2,407 



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

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

 300 crowns ($80.40). 



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

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

 lected for a prospective reading room. 



Libraries are to be found in Henningsvaer, Stamsund, and Svolvaer. 

 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 



