Logbook - 1895

1895 

28th January 

Opened school. Admitted 12 pupils. 

29th January 

Mr R Owen pupil teacher was absent today owing to sickness 

8th February 

Mr R Owen did not arrive until 10.15 

11th February 

Mabel and Thomas Webb admitted 

19th February 

Received 24 new books for school library. They were purchased out of proceeds from the concert. 

22nd February 

The school was closed today to allow the children to go the Mangapakeha School picnic held at Mangapakeha. 

Messrs Nicholls, Lawson, Schofield, Smith and Hancock kindly lent vehicles to convey the children and their parents to the picnic. 41. 

13th March 

Received a memo from Mr Webb complaining of Joseph Collerton running over Mabel whilst he was on horseback and stating that he would keep his children home until the arrival of his wife. 

On enquiry I found that Joseph Collerton was not to blame in the least. He was riding at a slow trot when he overtook several children on their way home in the luncheon recess. He shouted several times and warned them, but Mabel Webb, instead of getting out of the way, ran towards the horse, which struck her on the body with its chest. Collerton at once demounted and assisted the child. 

His father thrashed him severely without enquiring into the matter, but expressed his regret to me when he heard full particulars. 

Collerton is a very good boy to his juniors and I do not believe he would injure one intentionally. 

It was only on questioning Elsie Nicholls and Aileen Wickstead that I obtained particulars. Both girls saw the accident and considered Joe did his best to avoid it. 

15th March 

T R Fleming Inspector.  Notes included:

• Mr R Owen, the PT is a beginner. The class is weak in reading, tables and writing 

• In Standard 2 and 3 some of the children read very well. 

• In some of the junior classes the books were held too close to the face in a reading lesson. 

• In Standard 3 the regular attendees did very good work. 

• In Standards 6 and 7 - considering the attendance - good work has been done for a small country school 

• Grammar was moderate in Standard 7 and 6  

• Composition was good in Standard 7 and fair in the other.

• Mental arithmetic was very fair, but the answers should have been given more quickly.  

• I was very pleased to notice the great interest taken by the master in the children out of doors. 

• Considering the irregularities of the attendance. a satisfactory year’s work has been done by the teacher.

• Mr Joplin understands about grouping the classes.  

• The registers are exceedingly weak. A new log book is required 

28th March 

One of the most dastardly outrages of morality was committed by somebody on me this afternoon. Mr R Owen, the pupil teacher, handed me a parcel which had been given to him by Mr Wickstead, who it appears found it in the office. Neither of them were aware of the contents, I was going into the school at the time. I received it so sent it to Mrs Joplin. On opening it she found to her disgust and astonishment that it contained filthy matter. Whoever the dirty sender was he succeeded in insulting us. The paper was wrapped up in paper similar to that used in stores, and my bread label as used as an address. We have decided not to attend the school picnic tomorrow unless the perpetrator is discovered. 

29th March 

The picnic was held in very bad weather. 

TINUI SCHOOL TREAT.
The annual school treat was held on Friday the 29th. Owing to the rain the sports were interrupted, and the completion of the programme was postponed until Saturday, 6th April. In the afternoon an adjournment was made to the Town Hall, when ample justice was done to the good things provided by the ladies of the district. The prizes were then distributed. 

The Chairman called attention to the highly satisfactory report of Inspector Fleming, and also took notice of the remarks re the irregular attendance of a number of scholars. After the distribution the scholars enjoyed a dance, and this was followed by a dance for the seniors which was kept up with much spirit till daylight.

1st April 

On Saturday I discovered who sent me the parcel of animal excrement. It was Fred Nicholls, a young man who attended this school. God help his morals. Whatever his motive is I cannot say. 

4th April 

Annie Geange was very ill this morning so I sent her home, after giving her a little port wine 

8th April 

Mr R Owen, pupil teacher, was absent today. He sprained his foot on Saturday at the school sports. 

17th April 

William Bell admitted stealing two new knives from W F C A store. I saw his brother Charlie with a new penknife and upon questioning him that he did not obtain it by purchase. Arthur O’Conner too, had one, which he purchased from William Bell for twopence. The latter admitted after much prevarication, that he had not obtained them honestly. I returned the knives to Mr Larsen 

18th April 

The school was closed today [for] Whakataki School Treat.

23rd April 

Mr Wickstead a member of the school committee, came into the school this morning in a very excitable state, and, before I could ask him to be calm, in the presence of the children, used language unfit for any man to use in a public place. Such conduct is most reprehensively at any time, by any person, but when it is manifested by one who shall endeavour to strengthen the hands of teacher by fair play as man to man, as a member of school guardians, it becomes unbearable. Not only in the school, but in the porch, did this amiable man use his abusive language. No doubt he was much relieved. 

24th April 

It was decided that Messrs. C. R. Joplin (Tenui) and McKenzie (Mauriceville) should exchange positions.

26th April 

The following is a copy of a letter I sent to Mr McGuckin: 

“This afternoon Martha, came to school at 5 minutes to 2. I asked her to explain why she was late, but she refused. I allowed her ten minutes to tell me, but as she still refused. I sent her home to tell her mother she was disobedient. I cannot understand why she refused to inform me, as I spoke kindly to her. I may say that Maggie Webb, who came in school with here, informed me at once” 

Signed Chas R Joplin. 

29th April 

Mr Owen did not arrive at school until 11.00 

6th May 

Mr Hancock, chairman of the school committee, visited the school this morning. 

10th May 

Mr Perry, a member of the School Committee, visited the school today. 

15th May 

Took charge of School Property and Keys from Mr C R Joplin. Mr Joplin and Mr McKenzie of Mauriceville West were swapped schools by the Wellington Education Board. 

18th May 

Handed over school property and keys to Mr J Mckenzie. 

Signed Albert Thos. Hancock 

21st May 

Took charge of the Tenui School: 28 present in the morning. By direction of the chairman there was no school yesterday 

22nd May 

Some of the children were late this morning 

3rd June 

Five new pupils admitted today; but before marking the roll it was found that one of them, Jane Madden was under 5 years of age. Her attendances therefore will not be counted and the name will be removed from the roll 

11th June 

The School Committee have decided by Resolution that the school hours will in future be from 9.00 to 3 p.m. 

The School Committee has also decided to supply pens and blotting paper for the children and foolscap and envelopes for official correspondence gratis 

22nd June 

Received from board Inspectors Circular Note: Sheet of diagrams and hints on how to use the physics apparatus supplied by the Board. Hints on the use of the Chemical Apparatus supplied by the school; India rubber bladder to demonstrate the principal of the Brahma Press. And a lead cylinder fitting into a used cartridge for experiments. No connection with specific gravity. 

25th June 

Roll 46. Children could not drill outside in the rain. 

28th June 

Mr Perry a member of the School Committee visited today. 

5th July 

Received from the Board of Education Manual of Gymnastics by Mr De May. Sheet of diagrams and hints on how to use the apparatus in Physics 

16th July 

Mr Owen was ten minutes late this morning -  entering the school at 9.10 a.m. 

22nd July 

Mr Owen was 10 minutes late entering at 9.10 a.m. 

There were only 11 children at 9.15 - 23 present in the morning: 26 in the afternoon 

23rd July 

Mr Owen absent today; he called at the school after 11.00 to say that he was ill 

24th July 

Only 11 children present when Mr Owen entered at 9.5 o’clock 

25th July

As above 

26th July 

Only 15 children present when Mr Owen entered at 9.15 o’clock 

The weather is not very favourable but the attendance is irregular and unpunctual 

31st July 

Only 15 children present when Mr Owen entered school at 9.8 o’clock. 

Six pieces of glass tubing received from Board of Education.

31st July

A grant of 4 pound for outhouses was made to the Tenui Committee.

1st August 

Only 12 children present when Mr Owen entered school at 9.8 o’clock 

2nd August 

Only 16 children present when Mr Owen entered school at 9.8 o’clock 

Received from Board three songbooks The First Blackbird, First Nightingale and Linnet 

6th August 

Mr Owen arrived 9.15, only 17 children present 

7th August 

Mr Owen, 9.20 

Note from Mr Hancock Handed over to Mr McKenzie: 14 school records etc., all initialled by me which were taken from this school by Mr C R Joplin and returned to me on the 2nd July.

In company with Messers McKenzie and Owen I assisted the children in planting 40 trees in the school and directed the school be closed for half a day. 

8th August 

Only 3 children present this morning at 9.00. 

16 present when Mr Owen entered school at 9.5 and only 23 present at 9.30. 

Some of the parents take offence when advised of children’s absence by absence notes. 

9th August 

Mr Owen came an hour and quarter late 

12th August 

Received from Chairman for school use 25 steel pencil holders. 

Only 4 children present at 9.00 and 14 present when Mr Owen entered school at 9.10 

14th August 

Visited school and made certain enquiries re a complaint against one of the Pupils received from Mr A Southey. 

Note from Mr Hancock. More References to Mr Owen being late and the attendance when he arrived. 

16th August 

Chairman of the Committee that the hours in future to be from 9 ½ a.m. to 3 ½ p.m. With an interval from 12 ½ to 1 ½ for dinner. 

Mr Owen Pupil Teacher to be taught from 8 ½ to 9 ½ four mornings a week 

19th August 

Mr Owen came to school at 8.45 – 15 minutes late 

20th August 

Mr Owen came at 9.10 forty minutes late 

21st August 

Mr Owen came to lessons at 9.15. 45 minutes late. He had no homework prepared 

26th August 

Six readmissions this morning. Two of them from Mangapakeha 

4th September 

Received a new school bell 

9th September 

There are now 58 on the roll 

10th September 

Mr Langdon called about his son Harold’s coat and which someone had hid last night 

12th September 

By permission of the Chairman the children and pupil teacher attended Mr Harding’s funeral this afternoon. 

Continual references to Mr Owen being late and having no Home Work 

23rd August 

The “Taipos Hills are seeming nigh” again which is a sign of more rain 

25th September

Note from Mr Hancock. Visited school at Mr McKenzie’s request and found roof leaking in 4 places. Only 2 scholars present.  Asked Mr McKenzie not to start school as rivers are in flood etc.. 

4th October 

Roll 58. 6 children are leaving soon for Masterton. 

17th October 

Mr Owen came to school at 9.35 a.m. Mr Owen has done no home work since the 20th August. 

25th October 

Mr Owen was wet coming to school and had to go home again (an Hour) to change his clothes. 

A stormy morning and a small attendance 

12th November 

There was no school yesterday which was observed as a general holiday for the Prince of Wales' birthday- the 9th inst. which fell on Saturday, 13th November 

The day is very mild with light showers of rain. Only 21 present. 

Mr Owen brought a home exercise today (on arithmetic) -  the first since the 21st of August 

18th December 

The temperature in school today was 82 degrees Fahrenheit (27.77 Celsius ) 

19th December 

Mr Hancock informed Mr McKenzie that Mr Owen had received leave of absence for the day.

1894 | 1896