Logbook - 1898

17th January

A pupil teacher is required at Tenui 

24th January 

Temperature 76 [24.4 C] 

25th January 

The weather is fine, but influenza which is prevalent in Tenui, keeps some of the children from school 

31st January

Earthquake sharp and short at 11¾ a.m. 

1st February 

Heavy rain with great darkness from 2 to 2½ p.m. The darkness was remarkable. At 2 ¼ p.m. it was hardly possible to read 

18th February 

Advised that Miss Jennie Watson of Masterton has been appointed Pupil Teacher of this school 

22nd February 

The attendance is very unpunctual: Only 14 children present at 9½ a.m. - a few weeks before the examination 

25th February 

The Whareama River is nearly dried up. 

28th February 

Miss Jenny Watson entered on her duties as Pupil Teacher this morning. 

7th March 

Miss Watson dusts the school every morning.

Received from school committee a box of pencils (Slate), 6 penholders, a box of J nibs, and 5 small slates: The slates to be sold. 

9th March 

The first heavy rain since November, but the river is still dried up. 

11th March 

The river Whareama is now running. A very wet stormy day. 

18th March 

The school has not been swept this week yet: the floor is very dirty. It is only swept twice a week, Wednesday and Friday. 

22nd March 

The attendance this week is fair, but three children - the McGuckens have left for Masterton. Two boys from Mangapakeha have also left. 

25th March 

Out buildings in very fair order, also school. But it requires to be swept oftener than it is. 

Attendance 38. 

T Webb visiting member 

28th March 

The windows required to be cleaned. 

Since her appointment Miss Jennie Watson’s conduct and attention to business have been entirely satisfactory 

30th March 

Annual examination form 9¾ a.m. to 4½ p m.

Mr T Fleming. 

• 40 children present. 

• 30 in the standards: 

• 25 passed. 

6th April 

Note in log from Mr H Bellis: Mr McKenzie please close the school today for the annual picnic and distribution of prizes.

After the distribution of prizes the pass cards and certificates received today was handed by the chairman School Committee to the children who passed at the late examination 

A copy of the chairman’s entry of this date sent to Wellington 

13th April 

Mr T Webb and I Perry and William Langdon visiting members. Examined all the outbuildings thoroughly, found them in very fair order and nothing offensive about them 

Decided to have the out offices white washed. 

Also found the school in good order.

20th April 

Received a new blackboard and a new easel 4 foot by 3 foot.

A new lock and key on the library press and on inner door of school. 

Two window panes frosted. 

22nd March 

The school shelter sheds and out offices have all been painted. The work commenced on the 11th inst.. was completed this afternoon 

26th March 

T C Webb visiting member. Examined the painting of the school shelter sheds, also examined the papering done in the master’s residence and found that the painting and paper hanging had been done in a very satisfactory manner and according to the estimates for same. Also examined interior of the school and found it in a very dirty state. Otherwise everything in fair order. 

29th April 

Replied to a circular from Wellington Education Board on the introduction of the Complete system of Military Drill in all schools. 

Also sent a list of the boys attending this school who are not less than 4 ft 6 inches in height. 

Received from the School Committee for school use 14/11 worth of stationery 

4th May 

When the children were going home to dinner one of the boys was badly cut on the head with a stone. Pending instructions from the chairman, School Committee, the boy blamed for throwing the stone (Edward Collerton, policeman’s son) was sent home for the afternoon. 

Note in log from Hugh Bellis:

Was at school today enquired into the complaint against Edward Collerton about cutting a boy’s head decided to let Edward Collerton remain at school, directed the Teacher not to report the matter to the Board. 

6th May 

Only 8 present at 9½ a.m. Miss Watson as she is not well enough to come to school. 

By direction of the chairman School Committee the boys were specially cautioned against throwing stones or other missiles either in the playground or anywhere else. Notwithstanding this James Collerton had to be called into the school during “small play” and punished. One slap on the right hand for throwing the core of an apple at another boy 

9th May 

Received a Note from Miss Watson that she was still unable to attend school. Sent Miss Watson’s note to Wellington. 

10th May 

All correspondence connected with what happened on the 4th Inst. sent to Wellington. 

Miss Watson not in school today 

11th May 

A note from Miss Watson to say that she is still unable to attend school owing to a sore throat. Sent Miss Watson’s note to Wellington 

13th May 

Miss Watson not in school today, but she sent a note to say that her throat is much better and that she may be able to attend school on Monday. Sent Miss Watson’s note to Wellington. 

16th May 

Miss Watson resumed duty this morning. 

20th May

The school has not been swept this week at all. The floor is very dirty. 

Two cords of word provided for the winter 

25th May 

D H Speedy and A Nicholls, Visiting members. Visited school found girls' WC required new pan. And School very dirty - not being swept. 

30th May 

Great rain since yesterday and the river in flood. Only 17-18 present. Too wet to drill in the playground 

A note from Secretary, School Committee requesting practice at 2 p.m. Sent the Secretary’s note to Wellington. 

The children left school at 2¼ p.m. The roll had been marked before the Secretary’s note had been received. 

3rd June 

A note from the Secretary, School Committee requesting the teacher to let the children out this afternoon to attend the rehearsal for entertainment to be given this evening in aid of the school funds. Sent the Secretary’s letter to the Board 

6th June 

Playground supervision.
During the Dinner Hour the pupil teacher shall have charge of the playground on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The Head teacher shall have charge of the playground every day during small play and also during the dinner hour on Tuesday and Thursday.

No child is to remain in school during the Dinner Hour or Small Play. But on very wet cold days the Head teacher may suspend this rule in the case of the girls and infants in charge of the pupil teacher. 

8th June 

A Note from the Secretary School Committee to say that Mabel Webb has agreed to sweep out the school every evening and dust it in the morning at price agreed by the School Committee 

10th June 

The school has been regularly swept and dusted since the 8th inst. 

14th June 

Today Mr R Horwill (Carpenter etc..) erected a urinal behind the boy’s shelter shed. 

17th June 

A note form Secretary School Committee requesting the school to be closed at 11 a.m. to let the children attend Mrs Mangnussen’s Funeral. Closed the school at noon as the funeral did not reach the cemetery till 2 p.m. 

Mrs Mangnuson, postmistress at Whakataki, and wife of Mr Frank Mangnuson, the school teacher of Whakataki, died last night after a severe illness of a month. The inhabitants of the Castle Point and Te Nui districts will regret the loss of Mrs Mangnuson, who was much esteemed for her good qualities. The funeral will probably take place on Friday.  

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