Logbook - 1901

1901 

28th January 

A letter from Mr D H Speedy, Chairman, School Committee, requesting the children attending Tenui School to wear a black band of mourning as a token of respect for our good Queen who died on the 22nd inst. One of the best and greatest sovereigns of any age or country. 

29th January 

The children have complied with the request of the chairman School Committee 

31st January 

Albert Thomas Hancock wrote:

Visited school at Chairman’s Request and read the official proclamation re Edward V11 Being proclaimed Sovereign of the British Empire, the scholars sang God save the King and gave 3 cheers for our sovereign King Edward V11 

Also at chairman’s request gave the children a holiday tomorrow. 

2nd February 

D H Speedy wroteL

Attended school and had the bell tolled eighty one times from 11.30 to 12 O’clock as an expression of respectful sorrow for our late illustrious Queen Victoria 1 who is to be buried today, who was eighty one years of age on the last birthday. 

12th February 

A fence around the girl’s playground was finished today.

20th February 

Grace Smith ill and vomiting in school- she got better after being allowed to rest awhile in the school grounds. 

25th February 

The temperature at 9 a.m. only 54º F [12º C].

27th February

J McKenzie over paid 95 pound. Current salary 195 pound.

6th March 

Mercy Peat, being ill, was allowed to leave after 11 a.m. 

6th March 

Fred Smith, whose name at his Mother’s request was removed from the roll last week, attended today. But his attendance was not recorded as he is undecided about attending after tomorrow 

11th March 

The average attendance last week was over 27. Some of the children seem to be affected with a mild kind of influenza, owing perhaps to unseasonable weather. 

15th March 

Posted claim for tuition of pupil teacher first of January 1900 to 24th November 1900. 

27th March 

Finished the examination of Standards 1-5 as per regulation 4 

29th March 

Annual Examination: Mr T Fleming MMA, LLB 

28 children on roll, 24 in the standards. 2 Failures - 1 in Standard 4 and 1 in Standard 3 

1st April 

Note from the chairman School Committee requesting Thursday the 4th inst. to be observed as inspector’s holiday. Sent the chairman’s note to the board 

11th April 

Great Frost last Night- The temperature at 11½ p.m. was 30º F [-1 degree C] (last Night) 

Tap repaired on boy’s side of tank last night. 

15th April 

On the 10th inst. a handle was attached to the tap on the boy’s side of the tank: but the tap still leaks.

23rd April 

At the Householders' meeting D H Speedy Chairman J A Perry, W H Brooks, A J Hancock, J P. F Groves, H Dillon, and H Timms elected. 

24th April 

A very fine morning but only five children present at half past nine 

7th May 

Shortly after noon a great hail storm came up like a wall of ink from the South and lasted till 1¼ p.m. 

11th May 

Received a map of Europe and a map of New Zealand 

27th May 

A note from Mr Speedy to lend the Ngapopatu School a box of geometrical solids - gave Mr Langdon, Chairman of Ngapopatu School, the box of solids and sent Mr Speedy’s note to the Board.  

29th May 

Mr Fleming's report received. Included: 

• Past Year the roll number of this school was 42. This year it was 28 and is likely to decline

• Mr McKenzie’s work in the past has generally been satisfactory. He has shown himself capable of teaching some subjects very ably. But the circumstances affecting the school (Already well known to the Board) have had an effect on his teaching capacity. The work in lower classes has suffered through the loss of the Pupil Teacher. 

• It would be better in the interests of the district to place this school in charge of a certificated and efficient female teacher, one able to teach Drawing, Singing and Sewing. 

• If Mr McKenzie were free from his present surroundings and had charge of a school where he had a pupil teacher to take the Junior Classes, he would be able to do much better work than he is doing at Tenui 

• Mr McKenzie informs me that there are several leaks in the schoolroom and residence. 

• Last Year Mr McKenzie recommended that the clerk of works inspect the buildings. This visit has not yet been paid 

4th June 

Messrs Speedy and Brooks shifted the paddock gate on the opposite side of the road to make a better entrance for the children’s horses. 

7th June 

Messrs Perry, Timms and Hancock erected a flagstaff in front of the school (In the playground) this morning. Ten loads of metal spread on the entrance and on the pathways round the school and shelter sheds etc. etc.. 

8th June 

Messrs Grove and Hancock delivered three cords of firewood (Green willow to mix with dry willow and manuka) 

11th June 

Simultaneous with the landing of the Duke and Duchess of York in New Zealand [at Auckland] about 2 p.m. the national flag was hoisted in the playground by Master Norman Hancock, the youngest boy present and gave three cheers for their royal highnesses and, after a few suitable words from Mr Brooks, visiting member, the children re-entered the school and resumed business. 

14th June 

Albert Hancock wrote. 

Visited school and found everything satisfactory, the gravel apparently doing good, the flag gaily flying. 

Ethel Nicholls, who left school about three weeks ago (Parents joint note of 27-5-01) attended for examination yesterday, but failed in arithmetic and spelling. She was also weak in writing and reading. 

1st July 

Received and distributed 28 medals to commemorate the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. But there are 29 children on the roll. 

17th July 

No School Arbor day per memo of 9th July. But no trees were planted as most of the available grounds is already occupies 

19th July 

Raining yesterday and the rivers in flood. Only 6 children (Girls) present both morning and afternoon. 

24th July 

Great rain last night and the rivers all in high flood this morning. The roads in some places are under water. Only 1 present in the morning and 12 in the afternoon 

31st July 1902 It was decided to get a report on Mr. Young's suggestion that an aided school should be established at Tinui Valley PP 

7th August 

Received the handbook of instruction and diagram connected with the life Saving Society, including a map of New Zealand (Showing the positions of all the lighthouses along the coast) 

9th August 

A letter from the chairman of the School Committee to say that at a meeting of the School Committee held on the 1st August, Miss Barnes was appointed sewing mistress to the Tenui School. Sent the Chairman’s note to Wellington and advised the Board that Miss E Barnes taught sewing here this afternoon. 

A note in Mr Hancock’s writing 

“Entered on the duties as sewing mistress." 

29th August 1901 

Mrs H Barnes, sewing teacher. 

Note: further research needed into the circumstances behind Robert Lee's retirement. 

The Wellington Education Board, after some disquiet about statements Mr Lee had made concerning schools and teachers, decided that it was time for Mr Robert Lee to retire. (August 1901)

6th September 

A letter from the Chairman, School Committee, that his brother Colin has measles and that Miss Barnes will not be able to attend the sewing class after today for a week or two. 

13th September 

Edward Madden permitted to leave before 3 pm – to look for some letters which he lost when going home yesterday. 

23rd September 

Albert Hancock wrote:

New Zealand Ensign received from Board the same was hoisted by Annie Perry and Bert Schofield, three cheers were given by the children, they then saluted the flag and returned to their lessons. Found everything satisfactory. 

2 October

At a special meeting of the Tinui Committee, convened to consider the resolutions of the Wellington Joint Committees on the 19th inst., it was unanimously decided to endorse the Board’s action in dismissing Inspector Lee. 

14th October 

William and Ellen Groves entered on the roll this morning. 

30th October 

There has been no rain for several weeks and nearly all the tanks in neighbourhood are empty. Sheep and cattle still drink at the river, but the grass is very short and dry. 

1st November 

Miss Barnes resumed her duties as sewing mistress 2½- 3½ p.m. 

7th November 

Some rain last night and a few showers this morning 

14th November 

A very fine morning was succeeded by a fall in temperature accompanied by showers of hail and sleet. Snow Too, in the neighbourhood and heavy rain at night. 

26th November 

Received from the chairman a block of ruled correspondence paper 

5th December 

D Speedy and I Perry visited. Found the school clean also outbuildings in good condition. Mr Perry raised the tank (residence) to an upright position; Speedy put the bell in working order and greased the vane (Weather)

6th December 

Mr Hancock attached a new drinking mug with suitable chain on the boy’s side of the tank. 

13th December 

A note from Miss Barnes asking to be excused from school today as it is too wet. 

Winnie Nicholls came to school on the 9th and her name was entered in the register before it was ascertained she only came for the day her name was removed from the register.