Logbook - 1896

1895 | 1897

1896 

27th January 

School reopened after summer vacation. 40 present. 

Mrs Bell not in school to teach sewing today. Posted her explanation of absence.

28th January 

At 1½ p.m. the temperature in school was 86 degrees. Last night after ten o’clock the school thermometer stood at 90 degrees Fahrenheit 

30th January 

Mr Owen taught singing today 

17th February 

A hot cloudy day with no sign of rain: Only one wet day since Xmas. 

Mrs Bell taught sewing today 

18th February 

Received a packet of arithmetic cards. 

Mr Owen officially informed that he was successful at the late Pupil Teacher exams. 

25th February 

Aileen Wickstead and Lizzie Collerton quarrelled and struck each other when gong home from school this afternoon. They were brought back and reprimanded 

3rd March 

A note from the chairman that Mr Owen has leave of absence from Noon. Sent the chairman’s note to Wellington. 

A very small attendance (17) owing to Whakataki races. 

6th March 

The annual school picnic held in the grounds 

25th March 

Mr Lee examined the school 26th March

Mr Owen came to school at 10.00. 90 minutes late for lessons He says he was engaged with the chief inspector. 

27th March 

Three children have left after the examination 

16th April 

Mr Owen came to school at 9.30 a.m. 60 minutes late. He was engaged till late last night and early this morning conducting a concert and dances in aid of the Brunner Relief Fund. His lateness yesterday was in connection with the same 

17th April 

Distribution of prizes and a half holiday in the afternoon by request of the Chairman. Sent the chairman’s note to the Board. 

Inspector's Report included 

• 48 presented (including 17 infants) 31 present and 22 passes. 

• There was much talking and want of discipline during the examination 

• It appears the control and general usefulness of the Head teacher are impaired by the actions of parents towards him and his position is becoming untenable and painful. 

• The pupil teacher has much to learn and should show more energy 

• The school is considerably below its standard a years ago both in tone and attainment 

1st April 

Mr Hancock wrote:

Visited school and found everything satisfactory, gave Mr Owen Leave of Absence on account of ill health 

27th April 

A note from the chairman of School Committee this morning directing the school to be closed for today as a rain storm is raging and the rivers are rising rapidly. 

28th April 

Note from the chairman to say that he had detained Mr Owen from school this morning to mark school prizes. Sent chairman’s note to the board. 

Mr Owen came to school at 1.40 

6th May 

Mr Owen came to school at 9.45 a.m. 75 minutes late. Mr Owens says he fell off his horse last night. His note of explanation sent to the Board 

13th May 

Mr Owen did not come to school until 1.45. He sent a note in the morning. Sent note to Board. 

Continuous record of Mr Owen’s lateness recorded in log 

25th May 

A holiday today for the Queen’s Birthda. A school concert in the evening. 

26th May 

A note from the chairman requesting Mr Owen’s Assistance in the hall from 10.50 a.m., during the rest of the morning sessions 

1st June 

Instead of Swedish Drill today, as it was very cold the boys were allowed to play Common and the Girls Rounders 4 th June The school has not been swept this week.

15th June 

Mr Hancock visited school and announced that the Committee intended strictly enforcing “The school attendance Act 1894” as from this date and requested the children to inform their parents.

Found the business of the school progressing satisfactorily, but only 30 children present 

17th June 

Mr Broome and Mr Hancock visited and found that numerous repairs were necessary 

19th June 

Messers Southey and Broome visited the school from 3 to 3.20 p.m. They are members of the School Committee 

25th June 

Mr Owen came to school at 9.20 a.m. 50 minutes late for lessons. (Along with numerous other similar entries) 

The rain still continues. Only 12 children present during the morning session and six in the afternoon. The river is flooded. 

24th June

Petitions for aided schools at Te Ore Ore and Te Nui and a school near the railway station at Opaki, were left over till next meeting.  [Probably at Mangapakeha or Grassendale, etc.]

1st July 

Mr Owen came to school 60 minutes late for lessons. He says he has resigned his appointment as Pupil Teacher - that he posted his resignation last night. 

20th July 

Too wet and cold to drill outside. Drawing instead. 

29th July 

Informed the chairman that Mr Owen occasionally occupies himself writing essays during school hours instead of teaching his classes. 

31st July 

Tenui was so much flooded today they was impossible to have school. The water was several feet deep in the playground. 

3rd August 

A note from chairman requesting the school to be closed for two days as most of the children cannot attend on account of so much silt etc. lying about the roads etc. Sent the chairman’s note to Wellington 

5th August 

A beautiful day after the storm but only 8 present in the morning and 7 in the afternoon. 

10th August 

Mrs Cross is displeased because her son Charles was slapped (two) on the hand for throwing mud at James Collerton during the dinner hour of the 6th inst.. Mrs Cross withdrew her son from the school when told that he could not be specially treated in the matter of school discipline. In punishing Charles Cross there was no intention to ignore the committee’s request of the 9th May. 

In admission to the boys admission there was visible evidence of his misconduct. [The previous sentence doesn't make sense.] Jas Collerton was punished too. 

14th August 

Mr Hancock, chairman of the School Committee visited from 9.50 to 10.00. 

Mr Owen still occupies himself occasionally - today for instance- as reported to the chairman, School Committee, on the 29th Last. This is contrary to the Board’s regulations and to verbal and written instructions given to Mr Owen more than a year ago. 

17th August 

Mrs Bell came to teach sewing at 2.50 p.m. 20 minutes late. 

18th August 

Maggie Webb was sent home for her book at 10.00 a.m. She did not return until 1½ p.m. 

19th August 

Mr Owen occupying himself today as on the 14th inst. and 29th Ult. This is contrary to the Board’s regulations and to verbal and written instructions given to Mr Owen more than a year ago.

24th August 

Mr Owen seems to have neither energy nor interest in his business. 

Mrs Bell did not attend this afternoon to teach sewing from 2½ to 3½ p.m. 

25th August 

Informed the chairman of the School Committee that Mr Owen occupied himself writing letters from 9½ to 11 a.m. instead of teaching his classes. 

28th August 

School not swept since 21st 

31st August 

Mrs Bell did not attend sewing today 

1st September 

A note from the Chairman, School Committee, requesting the school to be closed today through respect for the late Mrs D Speedy who died on the 30th Ult. Sent the chairman’s note to Wellington. 

We very much regret to have to record the death of Mrs Speedy, wife of Mr D.H. Speedy, of Flag Creek, which occurred yesterday morning. The late Mrs Speedy was confined on August 18th, and it was hoped was safely on the road to recovery. She was a daughter of Mr John Wingate, a well-known and esteemed settler in the Te Nui district, and was highly respected by all who knew her. Very great sympathy is expressed for Mr Speedy in his sad loss. 

3rd September 

A note for chairman School Committee requesting me to not open school today, the weather being unfit for children to come. Complied with the chairman’s request and sent his note to Wellington There was only 1 child present when the chairman’s note received. 

4th September 

Still raining. 

A note from the chairman School Committee requesting not to open the school as the weather is still unfit for children to attend, No child came to school during the day, owing to the severity of the weather etc.. 

The school has been open only 3 half days this week. 

The school has not been swept since the 28th, but it will be swept and washed this evening 

7th September

Gave Mr Owen a copy of the Board’s Rules and regulations with certain paragraphs marked. 

The grounds too wet and muddy to drill outside.

8th September 

Mr Owen did not teach any from 1½ p m to 3 p m. He occupied himself writing letters or a letter from 2.5 p m to 3 p m, instead of attending his classes. This is contrary to the Board's Rules and Regulations, a copy of which with marked paragraphs and marginal notes Mr Owen received yesterday. Mr Owen was told yesterday that any neglect of duty on his part would be entered in the log book 

9th September 

Mr Hancock writes in Log:  

Visited school and lectured boys for their misbehaving themselves when returning from school yesterday informed them that the committee would deal firmly with similar cases in the future. 

L Southey complained he was punished severely yesterday. In the presence of Mr McKenzie and Owen I examined his hand and am satisfied that the complaint was frivolous and groundless. I believe the marks on hand were due to working with an axe or home manual labour.

36 scholars present 

10th September 

Mr Hancock’s entry on this page was made today (10th inst.) It appears on the 9th inst., 11th September 

The school is now regularly swept every evening 

16th September 

Mr Owen came to school at 1.35 p.m. 5 minutes late for business - and then sat on his chair until 2½ p m, leaving his classes to shift for themselves. There should have been an object lesson from 1½ to 2½ p.m., but Mr Owen taught none this afternoon. Mr Owen, though occasionally coming in time, has taught no algebra this week. He is waiting to know from the Board’s Secretary if third year Pupil Teacher’s must take one of the optional subjects for class D exams. The schedule of work for this year (1896) seems definite enough. 

23rd September 

Mr Owens gave no object lesson today as per his own time table.

Mr Hancock and Mr Webb visited the school. Found shelter sheds and school rather dirty, we attribute to the want of metal the dirtiness of the school, the sheds require some railings keep stock out of same. 

40 Scholars present 

25th September 

The school was not swept last night. 

Mr Owen gave no object lesson this week. He does not adhere to his Timetable 

28th September 

The boys played cricket and the girls rounders from 1½ p.m. to 2 p.m. instead of Swedish drill 

2nd October 

The school has only been swept once this week. 

Mr Hancock writes: 

Visited school, got the assistance of 4 boys and cleaned out a water hole in the paddock opposite school, requested Mr McKenzie to give each assistant a 2d pencil. 28 scholars present. 

Warned boys not to interfere with a form placed on girls’ side of playground 

9th September 

The school has not been swept this week- not since the 2nd inst. It is very dirty. 

13th September 

Mr Owen came to school at 8.40 a.m. 10 minutes late for lessons 

16th September

The school has not been swept since the 9th inst.. Mr Owen has not yet commenced to give lessons to his classes, though politely requested to do so on the 14th Inst.. He should have given an object lesson today. 

21st October 

Mr Owen gave an object lesson from 1 ½ to 2 p.m. the first object lesson he has given since the 25th March- since the Annual Examination 

27th October 

Mr Hancock asked the girls if any of them would accept the sweeping of the school for 1/- a week. 

20th November 

Visited school at the request of the Head teacher.  Found W C in a dirty state and arranged for same to be cleaned. 

4th December 

No school today on account of the General Election. 

7th December 

The temperature was so high at 1½ p.m. 78 degrees F that the children could not drill outside in the sun. 

8th December 

A note from the chairman School Committee to say that Mr Owen had leave of absence today owing to illness. Sent the chairman’s note to Wellington 

9th December 

Examined Mr Owen’s classes. They are very backward especially Standard 2 in spelling. The reading of Standard 1 is weak. Standard 2 has made no progress since Mr Owen took charge of it on 23rd October.

11th December 

The school has not been swept this week. It has only been swept once a week since the 27th September.

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1895 | 1897