Logbook - 1882

Thomas L Ward, Teacher 

2nd February 

Opened school after 9 weeks’ vacation with an attendance of 18 

21st February 

Arthur Dillon and Mary Stilborn attended for first time since vacation 

22nd February 

William, Digby, Fanny Miller attended today, the latter for the first time 

23rd February

The Owen children attended today, first time since the vacation. Arthur Dillon absented himself from the school. 

24th February 

On asking Arthur Dillon why he absented himself from school on the previous day, excused himself by saying that his mother kept him, gave all the scholars to understand that should their parents require their presence at home, they must bring written notice to that effect. 

The Owen’s were all late today and excused themselves by saying that their mother did not rise early enough to dress them in time for school. Told them such an excuse was nonsense, 

John Stelin absent all day 

27th February 

John Stelin excused his absence on Friday by saying his mother required him at home. Gave him notice previously given to the other scholars. 

3rd March 

Fine day, full attendance except the Millers, reminded scholars of the intended visit of inspector on Monday for annual examination, Instruction to Mrs Knight to scrub room. 

6th March 

Robert Lee, Inspector wrote 

• The school is under management of Mr Ward, the late Master, Mr Seaton, having resigned at Christmas. 

• The number on the books is now 29 of whom 20 were present at the examination  

• The sisters Brading passed a very creditable examination Standard 

• The work of the school was fairly satisfactory considering the attendance 

• It was however varied in character 

• I hope an effort will be made to increase the average attendance 

• A teacher’s desk can be supplied from Wellington. The master is much in need of another water tank  

• I think if the average attendance should increase perceptively the Board would pay the master's stipend. 

Mrs Knight scrubbed out the school room on Saturday. Inspector examined school. 

7th March 

Weather improved. Rebuked the Boys M and T Knight and Percy Bellis for being absent yesterday at examination. 

Presented for examination 

Standard 1. 2 presented, 2 passed

Standard 2. 4 presented, 3 passed

Standard 3, 3 presented, 3 passed

Standard 4, 0 

Standard 5, 1 presented, 0 passed

Standard 6, 2 presented, 2 passed

Busy in school all day classifying pupils. 

13th March 

Mr Perry visiting member of Committee returned to school today and found everything in a satisfactory state. Tank run dry.

14th March 

Annie Brading left school for good. 

16th March 

Weather excessively hot, feel the want of blinds in school room 

17th March 

St Patrick’s Day. Whole holiday 

21st March 

Fine weather, attendance pretty fair. Mr Miller called on me shortly before dinner hour, requesting leave for the afternoon for William Miller to accompany him to Whakataki which I granted. 

22nd March 

The two Knights absented themselves today. Confined J Connor and Henry Ward (Teacher's Son) for not knowing their history 

28th March 

Stelin is still absent, his mother is ill.

30th March 

All present except Stelin 

31st March 

Last Day of quarter, busy preparing monthly and quarterly returns for post tomorrow. Stelin still absent. Mrs Knight scrubbed school room. 

3rd April 

New Quarter. Stated a system of marks, which I hope will answer well. Weather still very dry and no signs of a change. Posted all returns on Saturday. Mary Stilborn asked permission to go home at dinner time which I granted. 

4th April 

Weather threatening rain, all the girls stayed away on account of weather and a few boys absented themselves. Received notice of school fete.

5th April 

Stelin still absent, his mother being ill. M Knight absent. Had to recourse to corporal punishment to ensure lessons being properly learned. 

6th April 

Nasty Showery Day, good attendance, however Jas Owen returned to school.

Gave notice to scholars that the school would break up this afternoon until Tuesday morning for the Easter Holidays, that they would have to return on Tuesday, that Wednesday would be a holiday for the school treat and that they would have to return on Thursday. 

12th April. 

School Fete and distribution of prizes in public hall 

13th April 

Yesterday being wet the school was postponed until Friday. School closed by consent of Mr Groves on behalf of the Committee.

14th April 

Lovely day School Fete and distribution of prizes a great success. 

18th April 

Roll 24 

26th April 

James and Norman Owen absent in morning on account of their mother’s departure for Wellington. 

1st May 

Weather threatening, Stelin still absent Harry Groves and Hugh Telford at home sick. Clara Bellis left the school today for good having been present only a month 

4th May 

Parents of pupils formed a working Bee at the fence 

5th May

Fences not finished yesterday finished today, with the exception of the garden fence and the upper portion of high paddock fence. 

8th May 

Mrs Knight scrubbed out schoolroom on Saturday. In consequence of Digby Miller being ill with Diphtheria, Dr Beard recommended that the school be closed for a week, closed accordingly. 

11th May 

Digby Miller died this morning of Diphtheria, received instruction to keep school closed until further notice.

Miller—At his father's residence, Tinui, on the 11th instant, Hugh Digby Miller, of diphtheria, aged 6 years. 

15th May

Digby Miller was buried yesterday, a large funeral followed his remains. Received new tank and masters desk from Wellington. 

20th May 

School Committee met this afternoon to consider the advisability or otherwise of opening the school, decided to open on Monday, pending advice from Board 

22nd May 

Reopened with poor attendance of 12 

23rd May 

J Stelin returned to school today after an absence of 8 weeks. Two new pupils Margaret and Sarah Newcombe joined the school today, both for the first time. 

25th May 

Attendance poor 19. Parents rather chary of sending children to school so soon after sickness. 

29th May 

Poor Attendance. John O’Connor’s mother asked permission for him to be absent from school for a week to assist her in digging potatoes, which I granted 

31st May 

Roads in capital condition, poor attendance, parents have not yet recovered from the scare opened by the recent sickness. 

31st May 

At a recent meeting of the Wellington Education Board, letters were read from the committees of the Park Vale and Tinui schools, urging that the “long-vacation” of five weeks should take place at midwinter instead of midsummer, the reason given being that in midwinter the roads were in an impassable condition, and the children were unable to get to school. 

It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Hutchison, to refer the matter to the committee on standing orders. 

5th June

Mrs Knight scrubbed school room on Saturday. Bricklayers are at work pointing chimney of front sitting room 

6th June 

Wet day, bricklayer unable to work yesterday owing to wet. Attendance 12.

8th June

Wet Day. Only 1 boy attended (A Groves). Having no wood to burn I sent him home in the forenoon. Mr Bellis sent a small quantity of wood today. I having been without (for private use) for 4 weeks. 

9th June

Another wet day attendance 3. Able to have fire in school room. Dismissed the boys at 2.30 at their mother's request. 

12th, 13th June 

Bricklayer at work at chimney 

14th June 

Very wet, Able to have fire in schoolroom.

26th June 

Fine again. Mr Perry visited the school today, Committee met on Saturday Evening. 

28th June 

Still Frosty. Received by mail yesterday a number of absence notices 

3rd July 

Fine Day. Mrs Knight scrubbed out school room on Saturday. 

13th July 

Still fine. Attendance 23. During my temporary absence this afternoon from the schoolroom, Arthur Dillon and Stelin broke one of the panes of glass in the window.

19th July 

Mr Mackay called with carpenter, as to erection of saddle room and Tank. Mr Bellis brought a load of wood. 

20th July

Very sharp frost last night. Carpenter at work addressing old tank. And erecting saddle room.. Percy Bellis bought a note from his father asking leave to go home at 12.00, which I replied to in the affirmative. 

21st July 

Weather fine. Tank empty, obliged to draw water from the river, carpenter still at work in the saddle room. 

24th July 

Carpenter finished work at dinner time on Saturday.

26th July 

Received letter from Mr Mackay informing me the committee would meet on Friday to consider my application for holidays. 

27th July 

James Owen left school to go to Wellington 

28th July 

School Committee met pursuant to notice at 4 pm. Result not yet known. 

31st July 

Received on Saturday a note from Mr Mackay enclosing copy of resolution adopted by committee at last meeting. Enclosed a copy of Tenui School Committee 29th July 1882. 

“That as the Education Board have not communicated with this Committee re alteration of holidays, that Mr Ward be requested to close the school for the winter vacation for two weeks to commence from the 1st day of August ” 

Mrs Knight scrubbed rooms.

17th August 

Still raining, attendance very small in consequence, roads in a dreadful state 

21st August 

Weather lovely, but threatening rain, Mary Stilborn gave notice that she would not come to this school again until roads were in proper condition. 1 new pupil, Eliza Jane Melvey, came to school today

28th August 

Weather very fine. Mary Stilborn returned to school 

20th August 

Percy Bellis returned after a lengthened absence 

4th September 

Two new pupils - Walter Brading and Emma Stilborn - came to school. Attendance 26. Mrs Knight scrubbed out room. 

18th September 

Dillon came to school today but not to stay, to inform me that as his father wanted him for shearing he would not be able to come to school for 3 weeks. Attendance 21.

19th September 

Harry Groves, evidently mistaking the playtime at 11.00 for the dinner hour, left the school, taking with him Walter Brading 

20th September 

On asking H Groves why he left the school yesterday without leave, informed me that he mistook the hour, told him to be more careful for the future, and kept him in at 12.30 as a slight punishment. 

21st September 

Found the boys were in the habit of crossing the river and lighting fires on Mr Maunsell’s Run, checked them at once and ordered them to extinguish fire they had lighted. 

22nd September 

Wrote to Mr Mackay requesting him to convene a meeting, so that I might lay before them Mr Grove’s conduct. 

25th September 

Received a note from Mrs Brading informing me that Lucy would not return to school after the expiration of the quarter. 

26th September 

Wet day, attendance only 17. Harry Groves unable to come to school on account of toothache.

29th September

Received a note from Mrs Telford to the effect that Ina Wingate would not return again to school and that 4 of her children would attend on Monday, weather permitting. Mrs Knight scrubbed schoolroom. Committee met 

2nd October 

Eva Telford came to school after a 12 months' absence, Ellen and Hugh Telford returned to school having been absent since May. 

3rd October 

Joseph George Farry attended to school today after a 12 months absence.

11th October 

New pupil Frank Wills.

16th October 

Ellen Telford returned to school, having been required at home by her mother, O’Connor and Stelin absent. 

19th October 

Weather fine, Albert Groves absent, docking lambs 

20th October 

Blowing hard 

24th October 

Dillon returned to school after 5 weeks' absence. Margaret Newcombe absent through illness caused by coming in contact with fly pole in the grounds. Received note from Mrs Melvey informing me that Eliza Jane would not return to school for two or three weeks. 

30th October 

Mrs Knight scrubbed school room on 28th 

3rd November 

O’Connor brought excuse from his mother for his absence 

6th November 

Nellie and Willie Darby came to school for first time,

8th November 

All present except Arthur Dillon, 32 present. 

9th November

Prince of Wale’s Birthday. Wet day 

10th November 

Pouring rain. Only 3 boys attended school today, in consequence I closed school in afternoon. 

13th November 

The Two Farry’s absent on account of high state of river 

15th November 

Fine day, as rain fell last night, Albert Groves not being able to shear came to school 

22nd November 

Maurice Knight absent on account of his Mother’s illness.

24th November 

Weather oppressively hot in schoolroom. John Stelin and Kate Dillon had to leave the room in consequence, have decided on applying for increased accommodation.

Robert and Ronald Owen absented themselves from school in the afternoon without leave. Norman Owen absent all day, sale of stock in Tenui.

27th November 

Albert Groves having finished shearing returned to school 

30th November 

Stelin absent, having fallen off his horse yesterday and been hurt 

1st December 

Albert Groves absent haymaking.

4th December

Mrs Knight scrubbed school room. 

5th December

Albert Groves absent haymaking 

11th December 

Albert Groves absent haymaking, weather excessively hot and dry. 

12th December 

Classroom stifling, O’Connor informed me that he would not be at school tomorrow or following day as he was required at home 

15th December 

Received notice from Wellington Education Board that Xmas holidays would commence on Friday 22nd. 

The Following Gentlemen were elected members of the School Committee for 1883: 

T McKay (Chairman)
W A Perry,
J Groves,
T Telford,
R Langdon Jnr.,
R Stilborn,
W Knight 

Election held on January 23rd 1883. 

21st December 

Better attendance today. Requested the children to attend in good numbers tomorrow, as I wished to address them, and to name those I recommend for prizes 

22nd December 

Last Day of term. Addressed the scholars on the necessity of punctual attendance at school, read out the list of successful prize takers and broke up the school for the Xmas vacation.

1881 | 1883