Logbook - 1890

1890 

21st January

7 in attendance. Some of the children have gone to the Masterton sports while others are kept at home to work. 

27th January

At 12.30 this morning H Bellis was suffering from a disagreement of the stomach causing him to vomit and unable to work. I allowed him to leave for home at 1.40. He was unable to assign any cause for his illness. 

29th January 

Only 1 child in attendance today. The others are at a picnic and running about the township. 

Sometime in October the committee had a meeting and sent notice that the compulsory clauses 89 and 90 of the Education Act would be put in force if Messrs Collerton, Bell and Owen neglected to send their children to school. Since the Owens, who were previously attending fairly well, have not attended so well since. It is now seven weeks since Willie and six since Ronald have been at school.

All the seventh standard have left school this month making the numbers on the roll 26. 

The Owens and B Collerton are at a cricket match which is to be played at Langdale. Attendance 17.

5th February 

Received a letter from Mr Deane stating, “Please send my child’s sewing home with John Thomas as we do not intend to allow her to compete at this examination as Bellis has not turned up. 

Last year’s prize. I informed him that it is not in my power to return sewing done in the school until after the examination, except the child is leaving the district. 

R Cameron suffering from a headache caused by a fall while playing football. 

15th February 

School started in the evening to prepare the backward children for the annual examination and to enable those who cannot attend during the day to attend in the evening. This step is necessary as this school has been closed over three months of the twelve and the non-attendance of the children.

Some of the parents in this district are satisfied if their children can count up to 100 and spell easy words of one syllable. A parent has said to me: “I will not allow my child to get a superior education to myself as he would then look down on me." I believe others are of this opinion they do not express it. 

1st April 

Mr Lee examined the children today 24/26 were presented.

14th April 

William Bell attended this school on the 30th January 1890 and took a whip from the school, which the boy admitted to me to do so. I wrote to Mrs Bell to return the whip. She came down with another whip valued at 7/6d, which the boy had taken nine months previous, and said “I have brought your old whip, how dare you send a note to bring it to you.” 

This and another case where I punished Uno Stelin for disobeying orders and running out of the  school were investigated by the Committee without my knowledge, and they recommended in a secret underhand way that I should be removed though I had told that it was my intention to leave in a month’s time. 

This shows how the Tenui people endeavour to injure their teachers. I knew this in the underhand way they have treated others and I never expected to be treated different from my predecessors. I also find that this case of Bell’s was brought before the inspectorate and only one side of it shown to him. 

While members of the School Committee are allowed to run like children to pour lies into an inspector’s ear no teacher is safe. And I am informed that Mr Lee not only gave ear to the complaints of Tom Deanne, a rabbiter, but gave him information as to the things that they could have me removed for: and commenced to inform him of my defects as a teacher, so that the scholars are wise as their master and promised to see a good teacher appointed. Which I do not credit though it may be true. 

11th June 

Mr Armer, member of the School Committee broke down the dividing fence between the school paddock and Mr Cox’s to put his two horses in. 

12th June 

Mr Armer has his horses in the school paddock today. I sent him word to take them out or I would put them in the pound. 

27th June 

It has been raining all week and few have been in attendance. The Committee have written to the Wellington Education Board to grant them the upper paddock for the children’s horses. Some time ago the board decided that all children who ride a distance of two miles should be allowed to put their horses in the school paddock.

27th June 

The firewood brought by Mr H Bellis is quite green and entirely unfit for school use. I wish to see the day when members of the committee will not be allowed to receive the Government grant for any rubbish they wish to supply, while good wood is to be had at 22½ shillings a cord. Which is less than Mr Bellis has charged, 

30th June 

Closed the school for four weeks holiday and bid the children good bye, owing to my leaving for Dunedin. 

9th August

Mr. Greaves, who was selected for the position of master of the Tenui School, has declined to take up the appointment, and Mr. G. H. Pope, recently from Ashburton, has been placed in temporary charge.

13th August 

George H Pope started. Opened school today having 21 present. 3 Old scholars have returned whilst three have left to attend an aided school at Grassendale. 

20th August 

No on roll 29 

27th August 

25 present, being the full number on the roll, as I have now marked off the duplicitous names left on the books by the late master. 

28th August 

School closed today as I was obliged to journey to Masterton on urgent business. 

29th August 

3 new pupils enrolled making 29 on the roll. From this I opine that the school is in a flourishing condition and there will be no difficulty in keeping an average of over 25. 

Bert Collerton absent through sickness and Digby children owing to a slight accident. 

29th August

Mr Greaves, who was selected for the position of master of the Tenui School has declined to take up the appointment, and Mr. G. H. Pope, recently from Ashburton, has been placed in temporary charge.

1st September 

D Stilborn is unable to walk around. Mrs Bell interviewed me re her boy Willie. 

Ronald Owen detained until 4.10 for carelessness. 

2nd September 

25 present today, thus fulfilling my anticipation of being up to keep a fair average. W Owen received slight injury playing football. D Stilborn still an invalid. Ebba and Uno Stilborn have both been absent today, but W Carswell has returned. 

4th September 

Very heavy rain, school ground flooded, only two boys (B Collerton and C Stilborn) put in an appearance that is outsiders of course. The weather has apparently much influence over the scholars in the district, or out some thirty children more than two might have braved the elements. I omitted to mention that Mrs Knight cleaned the schoolroom on Saturday (30th) last.

8th September 

Mrs O’Connor interviewed me regarding an anonymous letter supposed to be from a school boy. Agreed to let the matter remain in abeyance. 

9th September 

There were 29 present today, this is the largest number that has been present at the school for over 12 months. It is a sign that the school is regaining its prestige numerically. 

10th September 

30 Children present. Wrote to the Board re increase in salary - noticed some panes of glass broken in porch windows. Majority of upper classes detained till past 4 o’clock to rewrite their homework 

11th September 

Upper ones again detained for careless homework. R Owen in particular being very bad. The majority of the pupils are exceedingly backward in the 3 r’s and will require some severe treatment before they are fitted to pass their examinations in anything like a creditable fashion.

12th September 

Great improvement in today’s homework. 

13th September 

Mrs Knight cleaned school. 

15th September 

Many of the pupils are suffering from severe colds. 

The teacher’s desk has been sadly abused, but with care will probably last for many years. It is really shameful to see good furniture and fixtures “knocked about” in the manner they have been in the school and school house. 

The patent window displays are all out of repair, the fire place broken and generally there has been some rough work with the Board’s property. 

16th September 

30 present in the morning. Boys report their dinners being taken by other pupils during the recess. Will enquire to what extent evil exists, as from what I can gather it is an old grievance. 

17th September 

Mr Collerton visited me to relate that his boy was accused of stealing other boy’s dinner. He seemed to fell sore on the point, but I explained the position and he left quite apparently satisfied. The numbers are keeping up remarkably well. 

18th September 

Have made a slight alteration in that the scholars for the future will leave their lunches in my cupboard. This was the surest method I could employ to cope with the dirty conduct of some pupils in stealing the other’s dinners. 

Mary Watson and Ebba Stelin both absent.

Very blowy today.

New colonial oven for the residence came on Saturday and will probably be set in by Mr Jephson on Tuesday. 

All the tanks need cleaning, the water is undrinkable, and liable to cause disease and perhaps decease. 

23rd September 

Weather still very disagreeable and cold. Nearly every child in the school is suffering from a severe cold. 

24th September

Mr George Pope was appointed master of the school at Te Nui, where he has been in temporary charge.

25th September 

A new gate is now being erected, and will be a beneficial improved upon the “breakneck style” that was in existence. Some of the fences required watching and repairing 

16th September 

28 children present. Beautiful Day. Received letter from Board. Appointing me permanently and also re increase in salary stating that the Secretary would meet in the schoolroom tomorrow (Saturday) evening at 7.30 p m to consider appointment of sewing mistress. 

29th September 

3 new pupils. E and W Collerton and M Deane came to school for first time. Roll 34, which is a very considerable increase since I opened school some few weeks ago. 

The house narrowly escaped destruction by fire and only the fact of so much rain having fallen, saved it. The shingles were scorched, but before any damage was done I succeeded in getting the flames under control. A very dirty chimney was the immediate cause. 

There was no meeting of the committee on Saturday Evening last on account of the weather.

30th September

30/34 children present. The majority of children I find attend remarkably well, but owing to distance many have [?] 

The oven ordered by the committee has not yet been erected although it has been on the premises for some ten days.

1st October 

Florence Bellis started. 

2nd October 

Ronald Owen did not come till playtime. Have suspicion he was truant playing. I have sent memo to ascertain. 

The weather is very changeable and whooping cough is quite prevalent. For myself I am scarcely fitted to conduct classes owing to severe sore throat. I am afraid I will be unable to hold out for such another day as this has been. 

There is a quantity of loose wire in the paddock and as a consequence I warned children to be careful when turning their horses adrift as already two different horses have been caught. 

Have not yet received forms from Board for preparation of Quarterly Returns, nor has salary yet been forwarded for September. 

3rd October 

Received forms and salary 

4th October 

School Committee meeting. 

I took over school cleaning. 

Mrs L Smith appointed sewing mistress. 

6th – 10th October 

Owing to illness, I have been unable to conduct classes this week. Made an attempt but found myself unfitted for the task on Thursday. Have informed Committee and received their consent to close. 

My suggestion to the boys to form a cricket club has been acted upon - subs have been received from quite a few interested parents and others and I hope to very soon have new material for the boys to make an early start, for I consider physical education of some importance and as a rule the boy who likes his hours of play will also give due attention to those of study!. 

The subscriptions up to date have amounted to £2-10-0. 

13th October 

One Boy (W Carswell) has left the district, whilst one new boy (Sid Young) has been admitted. 

The weather is oppressively warm. 

Today Mannering came to inspect the fireplace for the purpose of erecting the oven. He also is to clean out the tanks and lime wash them 

15th Oct 

Raining in torrents all morning. Of the 11 absent the majority have a considerable distance to walk. 

16th October 

Herbert Dillon very unwell in afternoon. Took him over to the house for better attention.

The gate still remains unfinished, nor has the bricklayer yet put in appearance - it is a thousand pities the adage “opposition is the life of trade” is not generally known in the district. 

17th October 

The average for the week has been 29.1, which is the largest number since I have taken charge. The boys' cricketing material should have arrived today, but so far it has not come. 

20th October 

Willie Carswell readmitted. Boarding at the Manga Pakea [Mangapakeha] as his friends have left Tinui. 

The new gate has been completed at last !!. However as patience is a school master’s virtue it were better not to complain. 

22nd October

29 present today. Whooping cough is still very prevalent, at times nearly all the pupils coughing simultaneously. 

The bricklayer at last brought the bricks, perhaps he may soon set in the oven. 

Cricketing material has not yet arrived, subscriptions towards the ... are still coming in. 

Mr Copping of Masterton was shown over the premises; expressed himself greatly pleased with the school room, but had a very poor opinion of the “Barn” 

23rd October 

Mr Mannering today made a start with the oven! Hurrah! “all good things come to etc. etc. “

24th October

Both tanks have been cleaned and the oven fixed in the house. 

The boys’ cricket apparatus came this morning. I allowed them a few more minutes extra play hour in honour of their first game with the new material!. 

27th October 

Mr Speedy’s cattle are becoming a nuisance in the school grounds. Since the fences were repaired- at least started upon. 

Several of scholars are attending very irregularly (particularly Watsons and O’Connors) 

Read the circular re “insects” from the Board. Many are interested and will probably collect specimens for the prize! 

28th October 

Small number, doubtless owing to Annual Show at Masterton being held today.  We did not close as there has already been a week lost this quarter owing to my illness. 

Mrs O’Connor wrote complaining about R Owen and R Cameron wrecking her son’s slate. This was the result of an accident but I believe these two boys have subscribed and brought him a new one. 

29th October 

The water was run off the tank on Monday 27th evening to allow of cleaning but so far the cleaner has not put in an appearance. 

The house spouting badly requires repairing otherwise the tanks will be next to useless. 

3rd November 

The attendance is not nearly so regular as I should like but I suppose it is owing to the unseasonable weather and sickness. 

There has been no rain since the tanks were cleaned. Consequently we are obliged to carry all water from the river. 

4th November 

A most unexpected storm commenced about 2 pm. None of the children were provided with coats or cloaks and consequently must have been well drenched before reaching home. Those living a distance I allowed away earlier than usual. 

Received salary from Board. 

Some of the elder boys are attending irregularly, being wanted in the shearing sheds. 

5th November 

The diminution in numbers consequent upon the unpropitious weather has perceptibly decreased the average attendance. In the rainy season none of those living a distance are able to attend, owing to the impassable mud on the various roads. The rain has been very welcome if only to replenish the tanks! 

6th November 

Having now made headway with the 3 rs, I today gave the first lesson in singing. I find that the former master did not teach this subject so that it will be some time before the children pass even a very elementary stage 

7th November 

The average for the week has been 25. This I opine is exceedingly low, and gives a poor an inadequate idea of the existence of compulsory clauses - gave the pupils to understand there would be no assemblage on Monday to 10th in honour of the Prince of Wales Birthday 

11th November

The school has not been washed through scarcity of water in the tanks. 

17th November 

Bella Holmes is now convalescent and B Collerton is recovering from the sprain he received a few days ago. 

20th November 

Again had attendance of 33. 

Mr Belliss visited the school and was apparently satisfied with the result especially as regards attendance. 

27th November 

Proclaimed a holiday in honour of the Wellington A and P A Show. 

Rain greatly wanted to fill tanks. 

1st December. No water in tanks. Obliged to carry it from the river.

2nd December

With regard to the holidays the usual mode is to have about a fortnight at Xmas and the long vacation during the winter when the roads are too bad to allow those living at a distance to attend.

Welcome rain has at last fallen 

5th December

Plumber inspected ridging and spouting of house to ascertain what were the needed repairs. 

S Young has been absent some weeks, M Watson is very irregular in attendance. Both of these live in the township and so the plea of distance to come to school can scarcely be set up 

9th December 

Weather is oppressively hot, greatly interfering with work in school. 

10th December 

Severely reprimanded Fred O’Connor about smoking, but have not informed his parents as he appears a boy better able to be guided by moral suasion than by severity 

12th December 

Several boys are helping in the hay fields and some others are unwell. Scholars have not attended once this week. 

On the whole it has been the worst working week since I took charge. Heat is almost unbearable in the building 

15th December 

Attendance still very meagre. Heat is overpowering, making all present very languid. Stilborn boys wanted in the hay makers field 

16th December 

Large gate of school ground accidently broken by horse. 

Children are apt to have sickness as the only water obtainable from the river and that is tepid and almost stagnant. It is also the only water for use in the house. The tanks are all empty and will require good rain to replenish 

19th December

Broke up for four weeks with an attendance of 31.

1889 | 1891