Logbook - 1902

1901 | 1903

1902 

27th January 

Three new pupils, Norah, Maud and D H Speedy enrolled. 

26 present in the morning and 23 in the afternoon. 

30th January 

Ivy Stratford too ill at 10 a.m. and had to leave the schoolroom with Annie Perry for about twenty minutes. The morning was hot and sultry but there was no want of ventilation as three of the windows were open. 

3rd February 

Bert Schofield, who left school twice last year, attended last Monday and today after roll call. But his name has not been reentered on the roll as (He Says) he cannot attend regularly and is not likely to be at the coming examination. He says that if he can attend school during the winter he will try to be ready for the examination next year. 

6th February 

Only 15 present at roll call this afternoon: most of the senior Children at the Funeral of Annie O’Connor, a former pupil of the school who died rather suddenly from Rheumatic Fever. 

The unsparing hand of death has removed from this district a most amiable, and popular young lady, Miss Annie O'Connor, who died yesterday, from rheumatic fever. A fatal termination of her illness was not expected and the news of her decease came as a shock to us all. Tho bright, kindly face of Miss O'Connor was always welcome everywhere, and she possessed a charm of manner and a frank good nature, besides many social qualifications that endeared her to all. She was the life and soul of the re-unions in the district, and she will be long remembered with sorrowful regard. Much sympathy is expressed for the family of the deceased young lady, who is to be buried to-morrow. 

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7074, 5 February 1902, Page 2 

20th February 

Ruth Perry and Kathleen Timms, former pupils, in school today (They come occasionally to learn bookkeeping) but their names have not been entered on the roll as they do not intend to present themselves at any future examination and their attendances are likely to be few and irregular. 

28th February 

When returning to school after dinner Rewi Speedy fell and cut his forehead rather deeply on the heel of Edward Madden’s [boot? shoe?].

3rd March 

Bert Schofield, who is present today, now says that he wishes to be examined by the inspector on the 10th inst. 

10th March 

Note from T R Fleming, inspector. 

A fire screen would be serviceable in preventing any accident from the fire. Fires must always be attended to and not left alight in the school.... 

The boy’s offices are smelling a little, but I understand from Mr McKenzie that when the river rises the pits are cleaned. The health department recommends pans. 

21st March 

Mrs Barnes attended, but gave no lessons as the girl’s work is being examined for the annual prizes in sewing. 

1st April

Received Excelsior Bold Feature Maps of Africa and The British Islands 

3rd April 

Gave Clifton Bellis permission to go home with an urgent telegram after roll call. 

11th April 

A very wet cold day: required a fire for the first time this year. 

John Stratford, who has to walk 6 miles, was permitted to leave at 3.15. 

14th April 

Note from chairman that School may be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the 17th inst. to allow the children an opportunity of attending the ceremony in connection with the laying of the foundation stone of the church at Tenui. 

16th April 

Iris, John and Richard Stratford permitted to leave at 3 ¼ p.m. They have to walk 6 miles. The Stratford’s came at 10 a.m. 

17th April 

School from 9.00 as directed by chairman. Only 15 present in the morning and 9 in the afternoon.

Annual distribution of school prizes in the Tenui Town Hall at 7½ p.m. 

Ivy and Iris Stratford attended school this afternoon but the roll was just called before they came. 

18th April 

Inspector's Report. T R Fleming's report included 

• 16/19 passed exams 

• 13 Primers 

• 34 on Roll 

• The upper school was generally satisfactory, but the children in the Primers are backward 

• There were 4 in the Primers over 8 years of age, but these children live some distance from school and have not been regular attendees 

• The work of the children in the Upper Classes is generally satisfactory but Mr McKenzie should be teaching in a school with a mistress to take the children in the lowest classes. 

• His work this year is if anything a slight improvement on that of last year 

• The remarks made in my inspection report of last year are still applicable 

• Mr McKenzie reports that the leaks in the school room have not yet been attended to 

19th May 

Albert Hancock wrote as Visiting Member:

The children belonging to A B Nicholls and Hugh McGuckin were not attending the required number of times. 27 children present. 

2nd June 

On the receipt of a telegram announcing the proclamation of peace in South Africa the school flag was hoisted and saluted with cheers and shouts of God Save the King.

4th June 

Great frost Last Night and very cold this morning. Only 6 present at 9½ a.m. 

11th June 

The long continued frost seems to be at an end and the weather is comparatively mild. But the Taipos look threatening 

13th June 

Raining since last night and the roads and playground flooded - school opened at the usual hour, but no child attended. No child could safely attend owing to the flood and state of the roads. The fence in the girl’s playground is entirely under water 

18th June 

The young trees in the playground were much damaged in the late storm and flood. The senior boys are straightening up some of the trees with flax and manuka stakes. 

8th July 

A supply of firewood (dry Willow etc.) received and stacked in the boys playground.

A 17½ foot ladder presented to the school yesterday by Mr Knight (Mr Daniell’s foreman carpenter), who had just finished the building of the new Anglican Church. 

14th July 

Last night was the coldest night this winter. On a basin of water near the school the ice this morning was almost ½ an inch thick.

22nd July 

A note from the chairman, School Committee today: 

that as some parents wish their children to attend the ceremony with the opening of the church on Wednesday, 23rd, the School Committee has decided not to enforce the school attendance act for this week. 

23rd July 

There were 14 children present during the morning session and 7 of them returned after dinner; but leaving at 2¼ p.m. by their parents they were not marked present 

7th August 

Attended at the school and presented the Coronation Souvenir Cards of the Coronation of King Edward the V11 and Queen Alexander. The children then sang the National Anthem. 

A note from the Chairman School Committee stating that tomorrow is a holiday for the Coronation. 

26th August 

Miss F Belliss had been appointed sewing mistress. 

3rd September 

J H Sykes [Vicar of Tinui], Visiting Member, examined children in Composition. Found everything most satisfactory. Discipline very good 

9th September 

A pane of glass in one of the windows accidentally broken while the boys were playing football during the dinner hour. 

19th September 

Miss F Belliss gave her first lesson in sewing from 2½ to 3½ p.m. Owing to illness Miss Bellis was unable to attend sooner. 

3rd October 

Mr Hancock, member of the School Committee, attached a new drinking cup to the boys’ side of the tank and superintended the making of the drain at back of boys WC. also at urinal to let off storm water. 

13th October 

After a long and severe winter there are now some real signs of spring. 

27th October 

About 11½ O’clock last night some man misconducted himself, deliberately breaking a window in the sitting room of the teacher’s residence after he (the man) had failed to open the front door. 

4th November 

Note in log: 

Mr J McKenzie died at 11.30 P.M. He had been in charge between seven and eight years. 

5th November 

Mr John McKcnzie, Master of Te Nui School
Many of our readers will learn with regret that Mr John McKenzie, master of the Te Nui school, died somewhat suddenly an hour before midnight on Monday night. The deceased was 57 years of age. 

For many years he was in the service of the Wellington Education Board, conducting the schools at Mauriceville and latterly at Te Nui. Although up in years and enjoying rather unsatisfactory health, he was an exceptionally competent teacher and his qualifications, apart from his experience, were of a high order. 

For some time the school at Te Nui, owing to the diminishing population, has been on the decline, and tho reduction of salary, due to a falling off in the average attendance rendered the position of the Headmaster most unsatisfactory. 

On his visit to the district, Mr Hogg, M.H.R., called on Mr McKenzie, and on Saturday they had a long interview on the subject of a transfer that would prove beneficial. 

On Monday, the deceased appeared to be in his customary health, and conducted the school as usual. His illness, late in the evening, was sudden; and his end was swift, heart-disease being presumably the cause. 

A widow and family—two girls and a boy—are left, we understand, far from well provided for.

5th November 

The Tenui School Committee has asked the Education Board to supply a teacher to take the place of the late head teacher, Mr. John McKenzie, who died suddenly from heart disease on Monday night. Mr. McKenzie had been in charge at Tenui for several years. Mr. H. Sutton is to take temporary charge of the school from next week.

13th November 

Formally gave Mr H Sutton the keys and charge of the school. 

17th November 

School reopened this morning at 9.30, with an attendance of 26 scholars 

Mr C A Perry, member of the School Committee,attended the reopening, addressed the scholars and introduced the new (Temporary) teacher. 

25th November 

Election Day. The school was closed for the day. 

5th December 

Much rain for the last few days, heavy rain today at 1.30 p.m. Girls, at much inconvenience, took their club exercise in the hall. 

Miss Belliss failed to attend for sewing lessons this afternoon. 

19th December 

Learnt that Laurie F Hill had been sent to school and played truant with his younger brother on Tuesday afternoon. 

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1901 | 1903