Logbook 1884

24 January

Mr Thomas Ward, who has been teacher of the Tinui School during the last two years has forwarded his resignation to the Education Board. 

28th January 

School reassembled after holidays with attendance of 18. Mrs Knight scrubbed school 19th No register has been sent up. 

28th January

At the Education Board meeting Wednesday, in reference to an application from Mr Ward, of the Ohariu School, for a sewing mistress, the Chairman (Mr Blair) pointed out that Mr Ward while in charge of the Tinui School had not been highly spoken of by the inspector. It was decided to call Mr Ward’s attention to the report, and to warn him of unpleasant consequences in the event of no improvement taking place in the condition of the Ohariu School.  

29th January

New pupil, Janice Jones. 

30th January, 1st and 2nd February

School closed because I had to go to Masterton on urgent private affairs. Not knowing who composed the new committee I was unable to ask permission for leave for myself. 

5th February 

Received register by mail.

6th, 7th February 

School closed for three days without permission of committee. I’ve not yet being informed who composes the new committee (sic) 

8th February 

Very wet. No attendance, school closed.

11th February 

New pupil, John Dean. 

12th February 

Attendance 20. Received from Wellington Education Board notice of my appointment to Ohairu [Ohariu] School. Closed school until new teacher appointed. 

4 March

Mr D. M. Yeats has been appointed by the Education Board to take temporary charge of the Tinui school, the gentleman who was selected to fill the position of master at that school having withdrawn. 

10th March 

Open school with attendance of 14. Mr Yeats. 

12th March 

19 present. Asked Mr Perry to send truant inspector to Mrs Owen, none of whose children have yet to come to school. 

Sent to store for broom and pannikan. 

19th March 

Robert Lee Inspector wrote: 

I examined the school today. 26 children being present out of 29 on the books The school is under the temporary charge of Mr Yeats who appears a competent and methodical master. The school is under some disadvantage in being examined just at a time when the master has left, but the work gives little or no evidence of satisfactory work. The copy books are badly written, the written work gives no evidence of preparation, the arithmetic in all classes is very weak, and no numeration appears to have been taught. Percentage who passed is 38.8.

24th March 

Heavy rain for 48 hours, creeks and rivers in flood, road muddy and wet. Attendance in consequent only 11. 

28th March 

First appearance of Owen Family during the week.

29 March

Excerpts from report on Wairarapa country schools:

Tinui School (Mr Yeates, master).— Number on books, 29; percentage of passes 58. This school has fallen off in every way under the previous master, Working condition unsatisfactory; teaching staff apparently well qualified. 

Tinui, new residence, to be constructed out of the old one: 

2nd April 

Prize distribution and school treat.

3rd April 

Bad attendance [owing to] to many of the parents allowing their children to remain at the dance in the hall for adults till between 2 and 3 am. Most injurious to children in every way. 

7th April 

Four new scholars from Mr Wood’s house, making 33 on the roll. 

17th April 

Attendance very bad. Bertie Collerton fell from a bullock dray opposite school and wheel went over his right leg without breaking any bones. However, as far as I could judge, carried him home and placed him comfortably in bed. 

18th April 

Attendance still worse. Wills absent, sore throat, Miller Sick, Stelin ill with bronchitis. Mrs Wood being ill, children at home. 

30th April 

Mr Turnbull the architect arrived in the afternoon, passed the school building and gave me the keys. 

1st May

Education Board minutes: It was decided to appoint a sewing mistress at Tinui at a salary of L 5 per year.

2nd May 

Load of firewood delivered. 

3rd May 

Opened the new room, finding very comfortable and good for crowd.

11 May

TINUI SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The above Committee met on Saturday last [11 May 1884]. Present--Messrs Mackay (Chairman), McHutchon, Perry, Nicholls, and Knight. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Correspondence read—From Education Board; authorizing the appointment of a teacher of sewing at a salary of £5 per annum, also enclosing capitation grant for March quarter amounting to £3 2s 6d; from Mr J. Groves resigning as a member of the Committee.

The Chairman reported balance available for future expenditure to be £10 15s 6d.

Resolved—That applications be invited for a teacher of sewing at a salary of £10 per annum,

That Mr J. Groves' resignation be accepted, and that Mr F, Brading be appointed to fill the vacancy. That arrangements be made to have the school scrubbed out twice a month, and that a mat, two scrapers, and a bracket lamp be procured.

That the Chairman communicate with the Education Board relative to alteration of the master's residence, and the erection of shelter shed for the children.

The teacher reported the clock to be out of order, and that there were not sufficient maps in the school. He was instructed to have the clock repaired, and to make out a list of maps required.

29th May

Education Board minutes: An application from the Tinui Committee for reconstruction of residence was referred to the architect. 

27th June 

Closed school for three weeks holiday, bidding Goodbye to the children, owing to my leaving for Wellington. 

21st July 

New Teacher. Opened school with an attendance of 18.

13th August 

Roll 37 

21st August 

Bad attendance on account of wet day. Opened school and had five in attendance. 

14th September 

Mr Nicholls (School Committee) visited the school in afternoon. Saw 3rd and 4th Standards read and work arithmetic etc.

17th September 

Mr Perry, member of local committee visited the school this evening. 

22nd September 

Mr Perry visited the school this evening and informed me that Mr Wills had complained about his child having too much to do as homework. 

24th September 

34/36 in attendance today 

29th September 

Bertie Collerton got wet while out playing. I sent him home at 1.30 pm he returned at 2 pm. 

2nd October 

James Owen fell from a tree while out playing and dislocated his wrist. I put it into its place and brought him to our house until he was taken home by his sister. 

7th October 

James Owen returned to school today and he is improving. Punished Sarah Newcombe for leaving school without permission and stopping away during the evening with others. 

9th October 

Kept John Munro and Bellis Percy in 65 Minutes. Percy Bellis for throwing Norman Owen down and Munro for endeavouring to form a conspiracy to beat E Nicholls and afterwards doing it himself. 

18th October 

Received a set of Cricket today which belongs to this school.

Teacher left.

Samuel Turkington, Teacher 

10 November

The Tinui school is progressing very favorably under Mr Turkington's charge, There are now 39 children on the books and an average attendance of 30 lor the last month. 

17th November 

Emma Stilborn fainted and fell on the floor while receiving instruction in grammar, I took her into dwelling gave her some brandy and milk, she soon got all right and attended school this evening. Attendance 35. Mr Nicholls got 2 beads from the school.

1883 | 1885