The Headmaster's Diary - 1907 Victoria School - Kurseong. |
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1907 5th March School reopened. The main parties arrived on the 2nd and 4th of March so no time was lost in getting to work. The classes are allotted as follows:- 1st Mrs Sharp Commercial:- Messrs Stewart and Barker. 9th March The Technical results came to hand today. At the recent Sub-Overseers Examinations at Sibpur College, 75 candidates were presented. Five of our boys - 2nd Year - were sent up. Of these four pasted - F. Bapty, A. Pottle (?), T. or I. (?) Powell, and O'Reilly - securing respectively the 5th, 6th, 11th and 14th places. 36 candidates passed out of the 75 presented. 11th March Letters as usual. 12th March Mr Careless, The Chaplain of Kurseong, held his first service here for the year. 17th March Mr Williams who has been unwell for some days asked for 10 days leave. I granted it. Bowan (?) dislocated his shoulder. 18th March Letters as usual. I have never known such bad weather in March since I came to the country. We have not had a nice day since School reopened. 20th March The sun has at last appeared. In order to give the boys a chance of getting (?), I gave them a holiday. 22nd March Pouring rain and bitter cold. The Hospital is filling rapidly. The only consolation is that the water supply is being aided. The temperature is ranging between 10° and 15° below normal. 28th March to 2nd April Easter holidays. On the Saturday the school played the Goethal's Memorial School at hockey, defeating them by 11 goals to one The Chaplain held a short service here on Good Friday. 6th April The weekly examinations began. 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th April Mr Horwell, Inspector of European Schools, Bengal, visited the school, accompanied by Mr Chapman. The Commercial classes were examined. 19th April Mrs Williams whose 10 days leave (casual), had been extended by leave on a Medical Certificate of resigned her appointment on the score of ill-health. 2oth April A slight epidemic of chickenpox is running through the school. It is very mild. 6th May Mr Little took 10 days leave. I availed myself of the opportunity, while taking his class, Std 6, in his absence, to test their work which I found to be in a satisfactory state. Whooping cough is still with us but not in a very acute form. The weekly examinations have been going on as usual and the papers I have seen, reveals their progress in the classes. Last week, Mr Wragge, the astronomer gave a very interesting lecture to the boys. 9th May The new Lady Housekeeper Mrs Boyle arrived. 14th May Cricket match against the District. The school won. The Rev. Mr Murray of the Hazaribagh Mission went through the school and expressed himself as greatly impressed with what he saw. 15th May Mr Little resumed duty. I find time during the week to test his class thoroughly in almost every subject. I was satisfied with their progress. 16th May I heard a good lesson in the 5th Std on a Latin Prose Composition. Took Scripture as usual. 17th May Mr Heatr??? - the Principal of the Sibpur College, inspected the Technical Department of this school, and expressed himself in the Visitors Book thus. “I am very pleased with the progress of the Technical Section since my last visit.” The whooping cough is nearly all over, the chickenpox wholly Soul. The Cricket Tournaments which close the Spring Cricket Season are being played off. 21st May Monday, being Whit Monday, Mr Little having got married, and the 24th of May being this week, the boys ask for a holiday and got it. 24th May Mr Horwell, Assistant Director of Public Instruction, went through the school with the Superintendent and Executive Engineers. Sites for the new Preparatory School and for the new Hospital were visited. 23rd May I took the upper school in Scripture as usual and heard a lesson on English Composition in the 3rd Std and given by Mr D'Abrue . 24th May Heard a good singing lesson to the upper school by Mr Greene. 25th May Exams as usual in all classes. 27th May I gave Mr Shavior one days casual leave to go to Darjeeling. Letters as usual. During the past week I have been carefully auditing the school accounts and have found them in good order. The school Hospital is almost empty. The rains appear to have started and the boys have dropped Cricket and taken up hockey and football. 28th May I took Miss Brook (?), Inspectress of Schools, over Victoria School. She was especially pleased with the singing and with some recitation in Std 6. 29th May I have been carefully going through the weekly examination papers of the first and second year Technical classes, also will the marks. I inspected the papers and marks In Science, Algebra, Arithmetic, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Engineering, Carpentry, and Blacksmiths work. The classes are making capital progress under Messrs Greene and Elliott. In the 1st Year, Almeida seems especially weak and in the 2nd Year Fischer. In one set of papers in Arithmetic and Algebra, set to the 2nd Year, I noticed that four boys out of five secured pass marks. Though the paper was almost entirely a Silipur College paper, (Sub-Overseers) this speaks well for the forwardness of the class at this time in the year. I have been through the weekly examination papers in the Middle and Primary Departments. 2nd Dictation - Mr Price In the two examination classes, the fourth and the seventh, I noticed 10 boys and four boys respectively, failed to secure pass marks. On the whole, the progress in all the classes seems to be satisfactory. The work is neatly put down throughout, with one or two exceptions, and the general average of answering is good. The teachers themselves are all working well. 30th May I received an official letter authorising me to admit the sons of non-Government Servants into Victoria School after the claims of Government Servants were satisfied. 31st May I witnessed lessons in Smithy work and Carpentry. The classes were very promising. I spoke to Mr D'Abrue about the unsatisfactory discipline in his class and suggested how he might improve it. He promised to carry out my wishes to the best of his ability. 1st June I visited Standards 2, 3, and 4, and had chats with the teachers about the work of those classes. The usual weekly examinations was on. The putting down of the work was fairly neat but there is room for improvement. The Hospital is practically empty. 12 of our senior boys were confirmed by the Lord BiShop of Calcutta and attended Holy Communion on the following day. 3rd June Letters as usual. I witnessed a good lesson on Free Gymnastics by Mr Hall. Paid the Staff. 4th June Service as usual by Mr Careless.. Mackenzie arrived. Mr Hall and Mr Cunliffe took annual leave for one day. 5th June I went through the weekly examination papers. 2. Dictation and Composition - Mr Price I have no comment to make except that a large proportion of the boys in Std 7 failed to do to secure 50% of the marks. 10th June Weekly examinations as usual. Our 3rd XI played the Goethal's 2nd XI at hockey. The match was a draw, two goals each. Mr Hall got married. 10th June I went through the Shops and saw some good Smithy work. 11th June I looked through the Arithmetic answer marks in Std 2, and had a talk with Mr Price about the work. I advised him to press on as he seems to be moving along far too slowly. I passed into Std 2 and was not at all pleased with the way in which the work was being put down. It was slovenly and I told Mr D'Abrue sold. I again asked him to stiffen his discipline service and letters as usual. 11th June The afternoon being fined I gave the school are half holiday in honour of Mr Hall's wedding. A meeting of the Sports Committee was held at 8 p.m. I took the chair. 12th June Heard an interesting object lesson on cotton in Std 5. 13th June Spent some time in Std 2 & 3. Goethal's 1st XI in hockey was defeated by the Victoria School 2nd XI by two goals to one. 14th June Went through the weekly examination papers and spoke to most of the classes. 7.
Physics – Mr Shavior 15th June Weekly examinations as usual. 17th June A very successful School Concert. 20th June Waugh left. I gave the 7th Std a thorough testing in Latin Syntax. I found them to be backward. I heard a lesson on the Latin Gender in the 5th and was present during a portion of Mr Barker's singing lesson to the lower Standards. 21st June When through and handed back the weekly examination papers. 2. Geography - Mr Price I superintended an examination in Std 6 in Latin. 24th June I heard a lesson in Std 7, on Miss Edgeworth's, “Little Merchants.” It was good. 25th June Mr Earle, D.P.I., Mr Horwell, A.D.P.I. Mr Finnimore, Superintendent Engineer, Mr McIntyre, Conservator of Forests and others paid a flying visit to the school. Hospital sites were fixed upon, but the school itself was not inspected. 26th June I went through the weekly papers:- Std 2. Mr Price - Arithmetic All the classes seem to be making progress. I have observed the working of Std 1, under Mrs Sharp, from time to time, and am quite satisfied that the children are in good hands and that there are making steady headway. 28th June A holiday in honour of the King's Birthday. The Cadets were paraded and a march past and feu-de-joie took place 29th June Revision for the coming half yearly examination. 30th June Col Clarkson, Sanitary Commissioner, Bengal, inspected the sites for the new Hospital and went round the school. Seemed of a very pleased. 1st July Letters as usual Hospital shall pre-(?) Empty. The school play the Station in Hockey and won 10 goals to nil. July I inspected the Arithmetic books in the 3rd Std and gave Mr D'Abrue some advice. I also looked through the English Composition work in the 4th Std, and witnessed in Arithmetic lesson in the 7th Std. 4th July I went through the classes with the examination papers of the preceding week 2. English - Mr Price I visited the workShops of the Technical classes several times during the month of June and was pleased to see the keenness of the boys and their progress. 8th July the half yearly examinations began, each master examining his own class, after which all the papers will be handed in to me for inspection. Baker arrived and was placed Std 4. 9th July I looked although some of the written work in Mr Pinto is class (Std 4). The spelling is good but the writing puller. 10th July I examine Std 1 and Infants in reading and recitation. I was very pleased with the progress of the class, the Infants especially. Hale arrived and was placed in Std 4. During the year, I have paid regular visits to the Commercial Building where I have inspected the dormitory and seen that the classrooms are in good order. The four boys forming the Commercial Class seem to be kept to their work. 11th July I went carefully over the Commercial dormitory lavatory and clothes-room with the Steward who is in charge. I suggested several little improvements, tending in my opinion towards efficiency. 12th July I went through the Shops and saw part of a lesson in Arithmetic in Std 3. 15th July When through the Shops are sold at Tech boys at work. (An example of what a voice recognition program can do wrong. It should, of course read - "Went through the Shops and saw the Tech boys at work." JF) 15th July Letters as usual. I spent some time in Std 3. 16th July Seniors half yearly examinations being over and the day being fine, I gave a half holiday. 17th July Witnessed a long and interesting lesson in Std 4 on Arithmetic problems. I took part in a lesson to Std 7 in Analysis and Grammar. I also saw part of a lesson in Algebra fractions. I wrote about leaks, which have become troublesome, to Assistant Engineer. Visited Hospital, kitchens, dining room, etc., as usual. All well, Hospital empty. 18th July Took the upper school in Scripture. 19th July I took part in a lesson on Latin (?) in Std 7. The class is somewhat backward in this subject. 22nd July Letters as usual. I went through some of the papers in the half yearly examination. 23rd July Mr Careless, the Chaplain took service. The choir reflects great credit upon Mr Greene. I went through the balance of the half yearly papers in the Primary, Middle, & Technical Departments. 1. 2. 3. This class shows weakness in spelling and Arithmetic the other subjects are fair the last five boys have been warned that if they do not improve they will not be promoted at the end of the term. Longmate (?), has made good progress but Sultans (?) - as he has steadily shown in the weekly examinations easily tops the class. 23rd July Mr Pinto has been doing excellent work in Std 4 and the class has made good progress. Arithmetic and dictation are the weakest subject, the English Composition Geography being distinctly good. The spelling is mediocre. The papers set for this examination were a set of old Presidency papers and the marking throughout was almost too severe. The class under these circumstances may be regarded as having done very fairly well. It is hampered as a class by a hopeless tail of six boys. 5. The good class, carefully handled by its painstaking teacher, Mr Sharp. Arithmetic shows signs of carelessness but otherwise a steady improvement is manifest. There are a number of failures in the class, the Standard observed is decidedly stiff. Bailey, Bristol, and the Hale show a marked improvement. I am quite satisfied. 6. A very satisfactory class in every way. The papers that were sorrow and the marking stiff. Mr Little, whose experience upon such subjects is valuable, considers the class to be in a satisfactory state. I agree with him. The level is high, there is almost no tail, and the setting down of the work leaves little to be desired. The writing of the class is far above the average. 7. I cannot say that I am altogether satisfied with this class the boys do not appear to have done any private study or to have that feeling of responsibility which is so helpful in an examination Standard. This is in no way the fault of Mr Shavior, their teacher, who has worked splendidly with his class from the first. Euclid, Latin, and Arithmetic of the week subjects. One boy, Paul, has made excellent progress on the bulk of the class has done fairly well but Murphy, Williams, and de Beaux have been promised the cane if they do not improve. I have spoken seriously to the class and at length - and they have one and all promised amendment. I shall see that they keep their promise. 25th July The Technical classes under Messrs Greene, and Eliot, have done capital work, practical and theoretical. This is apparent from the marks gained and it is confirmed by my own experience during my visits to their Shops and classrooms, day by day. Fischer is the weak vessel in the 2nd Year class: the other four ought to pass well in April next. The teachers in charge of the Commercial classes appear to consider that one general examination in the year is sufficient. I shall deal with this subject later on. The class was of course examined by the Inspector and by Mr Chapman early in April. I have not however been favoured with a report from him yet. 29th July I have been busy with some reports to government during the last few days, in addition to my ordinary routine work, notably comments on Mr Heaton's report on the Technical classes. I find it necessary to recommend the making of a foreward (?) In the matter of accommodation, etc in view of the success of the classes to the likelihood of the S.O. classes being closed at the C.E. College, Sibpur. Mr Hall gave a most successful and largely attended Gymnastic Display in the School Hall. The weather was fine. 30th July Mr Hallward Inspector of European Schools, Bengal, visited us and accompanied by the C.M.O. and the Assistant Engineer, he went and saw the proposed Hospital sites. 31st July I examined Std 2 in Arithmetic for a short time. 1st August I was glad to find that as a result of Mrs Boyle's careful management, the school bills for July were well within bounds. 3rd August Examinations as usual. 4th August The Chaplain took service. Both school and several Kurseong people were present. In the evening I went to the Hotel and had a long interview with Mr Hallward. 5th of August Letters as usual. Walls, who has been in Hospital for some time with dysentery, is giving me some anxiety. The Doctor says he is progressing favourably. 6th of August Had a talk with Messrs Pinto and Shavior about their classes, Stds 4 & 7. Both appear satisfied. 7th August (?) I took a reading lesson in the third Standard. The reading is good on the whole but the pronunciation of the boys abounds in India - instead of ‘floor,’ is pronounced ‘flo’, ‘door’, ‘do’ etc. 'Watch chain' is pronounced ‘wachain’, and so on. I briefly ran over for the benefit of the class and teacher, the chief solecisms I have noticed in the boys talk, during my long experience out here. I then heard a good lesson on the Geography of Scotland by Mr Pinto in Standard 4, later I moved into Standard six were Mr Little was in the middle of an interesting lesson on the Geography of South Africa. This class is in a most satisfactory state: it is in strict rapport with its teacher and he with them. I also witnessed a lesson on the now and in Standard 7. The class seems to me, to be a poor one with one or two shining exceptions. 8th August I went through the weekly examination paper: 3.
Mr D'Abrue – spelling All except Standard 3 appeared to be below par. More boys came under 50% than over. The questions were not unduly difficult. I again went over the Commercial Building with the Steward. 10th August Examinations as usual. Hospital nearly empty. 17th August During the past week I have been largely occupied in dealing with an influx of correspondence from the Senior Commercial Master. The the usual classwork has progressed satisfactorily. The weekly examination papers showed a marked improvement. 18th August I sent in the lists of candidates for the M.S. and P.S. examinations. 17th August A day spent in dealing with bills and food. The cooking does not seem to give satisfaction to the Staff although they admit the material is good. I talked the matter over with the Lady Housekeeper, Mrs Boyle, and with the cooks. It is difficult to satisfy so many tastes. What suits one does not suit the other. On the other hand, all those who dine privately seem to be quite satisfied. I have had a menu drawn up, to which we shall adhere as closely as possible. 20th August Service as usual. 22nd of August I looked through the following weekly examination papers. 21st August General Barker inspected the Cadets. 22nd August Engineering. 1st Year Technical , Mr Elliott. Everybody got over 70%,
a satisfactory result on a fair test. Algebra,7th Std Mr Shavior, marks as usual, only five boys managing to
secure over 50%. English Grammar. Std 5, Mr Sharp, a great improvement manifested, 18 boys
secured over 50% on a very average paper. Geography, Std 4, Mr Pinto, a fair set of papers. The class has a bad tail. English Grammar, Std 3, Mr D'Abrue , 20 boys over 50% on an average paper. Algebra, Std 6, Mr Little, the paper's were carefully worked, the questions
were harder than usual. English Grammar, Std 2, Mr Price. The first five or six boys in this class I really good at their work. The last half-dozen are unfit for promotion. 24th August Examinations as usual. 25th of August Wells left. 26th August Letters. Showed Mr Stewart a copy of letter No. D. - 540, dated the 22nd of August, 1907, from the D.P.I. from the Inspector, with my No. 201. (This entry is very hard to read and doesn't make sense. JF). 27th August Services usual. I heard a good lesson in Std 4 on fractions, by Mr Pinto, and one in the 7th on Stocks, and one in Std 2 on Physical Geography. I visited the Shops and as usual witnessed a Carpentry lesson. I have had a special menu typed for the Masters, and circulated. The Lady Housekeeper assured me that she will do her best to adhere to it. Several of the Staff have come and told me, during the last few days, that the food has improved. They all seem to admit that the material is good but that at times the cooking goes off, sadly. I have pointed this out again to the Lady Housekeeper. 28th August I paid another of my regular visits to the Commercial building. All was in good order. The Typing lesson was going on. I must say that in all my visits during the last month or two the Commercial class have always appeared to be working steadily. The dormitory etc are in capital order. I have had the ventilation greatly improved by removing some of the panes of glass under the verandah and putting in fine wire netting. Cannot say that I approve of the large number of dogs kept by certain members of the Staff. I intend, upon the occasion of the Inspectors next visit, to ask him for permission to restrict the number in future. The health of the school continues excellent. Wells, it is true, has had to go away for a change and Weskins hasn't given trouble but otherwise we have a clean bill of health. I have succeeded, after a good deal of trouble, in obtaining accommodation for our Survey Party at Siliguri. There will go down from fortnight, about the middle of October, in charge of Mr Elliott. 29th August I took most of the school in Scripture as usual. I am glad to be able to record that most of the leaks in the main building have been stopped, thanks to the ears and watchfulness of Mr Cruyten (?) The Assistant Engineer PWD. I went round and thoroughly inspected every corner of the buildings. 30th August Looked through the examination papers as usual. There was nothing to specially comment upon. The general setting down of the work is improving. In the 7th Std I promised a sound caning to a few of the bottom boys, if their's did not soon improve. 7. Mr, Shavior, Euclid 2nd September I spent some time in Std 4 inspecting the Drawings and talking over the prospects of the class with Mr Pinto. Heard an Arithmetic lesson in Std three. 3rd September Paid salaries to the Staff. No of service, Heard and took part in a lesson on Stocks in Std 7. 4th September I took Std 2 in spelling, tables etc. The class is in a fairly forward state. 5th September I served Mr Stewart with a notice sent with the Inspectors No. 2002. The notice was served by me, personally in the presence of my Clerk. I forgot to enter the fact that Mr Price left on the fourth of September for Calcutta to buy prizes, etc. 6th September I took Std 2 in tables, Mental Arithmetic and Geography. Went through the weekly papers as usual: 7. English Grammar - Mr Shovier 7th September Examinations as usual. 9th September Part of my morning spent with Std 2. The class appears to be getting on nicely. Mr Price returned to duty. Bowing to the sudden death of a relative, Mr Sharp asked leave to go to Calcutta. I granted it. I spent an hour and a half with the Assistant Engineer inspecting plans, sites, and buildings. 11th September I spent the day in Std 4. I took the class in Arithmetic (problems and fractions), and Grammar and Analysis, Geography of England, Mental Arithmetic, and poetry. 12th September The School Hockey Team was defeated by St Joseph's College, Darjeeling, five goals to nil. Part of my day in Std 5. 13th September Std 5 nearly all day. 14th September I spent the morning in Std 5. The classe is in a satisfactory state all round, with one or two exceptions. 15th September I spent a good portion of the day in office (Sunday). The work here is growing so that Sunday can no longer be regarded as a holiday by the Head of the School. It is gradually becoming a day for clearing up arrears of work. 15th September I forgot to state that on the 13th inst. (Friday), I went through the weekly examination papers of the school departments as usual. 7. Mr Shovier - English text The marks in the Std 6 paper were not as good as usual. I inspected papers in Drawing and Science (Technical class). Both years seem to be coming along nicely. The Hospital has been periodically empty four weeks past. 16th September I spent the day in the 5th Std. 17th September The School hockey team went to Darjeeling, and on the North Point ground, defeated St Paul's School by four goals to one. I spent the day in Std 5. 18th September Holiday in honour of the hockey victory. Mr Barker thrown from his horse 19th September Mr Sharp returned to duty. 20th September The day largely spent by me in trying to pick up my arrears of work. During the week I have done my normal rounds, regularly visiting every corner of the Institution. Daily visits as usual to the Hospital where all is going on very well. I went through the following papers connected with the weekly examinations: 7. Mr Shovier - Physics The answering, on the whole, was highly satisfactory. Mr Barker's injuries are progressing satisfactorily and it ought not to be long before he is back at his work. 21st September Examinations as usual. 23rd September Mr Barker returned to duty. One or two cases have been admitted to the Hospital lately which Dr Humphrey considers about a strong resemblance to Beri-Beri. The doctor expressed the opinion that it might be due to using Burma rice. I enquired very carefully from the tradesman supplying us and I find that only Bengal rice is sent up here. In order to be safe, however, I have requested the housekeeper to to stop issuing rice daily and only to use it thrice a week. I have also ordered the nurse to altogether discontinue the use of rice in the Hospital. 24th September I find the change in the boy's diet entails an extra expenditure of about 300 rupees a month. 26th September Bantista (Bautista ?), left. I visited Std 3 and the Technical class, and spent two hours in investigating prices and supplies with the Lady Housekeeper and Abdool Puggur (?) the tradesman who chiefly supplies the school. 27th September I went through the following papers: 7.
Mr Shovier – Geography The Arithmetic marks in Std 2 word distinctly bad; the other papers were average. 28th September Letters. I went round the whole school, class rooms, Shops, Hospital, dormitories, kitchens, and dining room. 1st October Mr Hallward, Inspector of European Schools, Bengal, arrived to deal with the boarding question. 2nd October Mr Hallard. 3rd October Mr Hallard Storey declared a beri-beri case. 4th October Mr Hallard. 5th October Mr Hallard. Examinations as usual Mr Little went Calcutta for his Bengali exam. 6th October Sunday: at work all day with Mrs Boyle and clerk, collating numbers and figures for boarding question. 7th October Fisher. C. suspected of beri-beri and admitted to Hospital. Mr Hallward visited the school. Mr Pinto went to Darjeeling to see His Honour (?). 8th October Spent (?) trying to work off arrears. Mr Little returned. 9th October Inspected the Arithmetic marks of Standard one, heard a reading lesson in Standard two, and heard a reading and spelling lesson in Standard three, satisfactory. The total rainfall today to here is slightly under 150 inches, 50 below the average, so far as we know it. Mr Elliott went to Siliguru to inspect the bungalow for the survey party. Informed Mr Little that in the event of my absence, he was to take charge here. 10th October Mr Elliott returned and reported the bungalow is quite suitable for the survey party. Col Clarkson, Sanitary Commissioner, Bengal, and Dr Humphrey visited the school and went through it from top to bottom. Col Clarkson expressed himself is pleased with the condition of the school and the appearance of the boys. I was recommended to eliminate rice from the school diet altogether. I at once passed orders to that effect. Mr Hallward, Inspector of European Schools, Bengal, was present. G. Fisher was declared a beri-beri case. D. Williams was placed under observation. 11th October I submitted an official report on the beriberi to the Inspector of European Schools. The declared cases so far are: - 1. Walker C I went carefully through the weekly examination papers as usual. 12th through to 16th October Puja Holidays. Mr Elliott left with his Survey party of five boys for Siliguri. 17th October School reopened. I took the upper classes as usual in Scripture and had a further visit from the Inspector of European Schools. 18th October The beriberi cases now number 11, Williams D., Atkinson, Fletcher and Rose A., being added to the above list. Out of the 11, Dale, Bautista, Weskin, and D. Williams have been removed, leaving seven patients in the Hospital. At the request of the Inspector of European Schools, I'd issued notices to the parents of the patients informing them that Government has no objection to the boys who are suffering from beriberi being taken away for a change. 19th October The Inspector of European Schools, came and pointed out that no guests should be entertained at the Schools at Government expense, except parents and officials. Later, I issued a circular to the Staff to this effect. The Inspector also ordered me to give Mr William Stewart in future, a proper share of the Supervisors duty of the school. I have passed orders to this effect. 21st October Letters as usual. I went round some of the classes. Standards four and seven started their final School Examinations in order to give them a few weeks clear before the Government Examinations begin on the 25th of November. 22nd October No more cases of beriberi. Three in Hospital are doing well. 23rd October Busy most of the day with reports and accounts. 24th October Sent of copies of the new menu to the Inspector, also reports on the beriberi; and a batch of letters from Mr W. Stewart. No new case of beriberi has occurred since Rose was declared a case on the 17th inst,. There are now only two cases in Hospital, Walker and Storey, both doing well. I went through examination papers as usual. Much struck by the neat work and good spelling in Standard three. I went in to the class later and gave some rapid questions to the class in spelling. The answers were good. 25th October More letters from Mr Stewart. I find them a heavy tax upon my already all the crowded time. I visited Standards 3, 4, and 7 and the Technical class, heard some teaching and talked over examination prospects of the last three with the master in charge. The work of the school is progressing well and the teachers working hard. Inspected with Dr Humphrey, the work of disinfection which is now in full swing. The supply of Cyllin (?) is running short. I have ordered more from Calcutta. 28th October Letters as usual. Beriberi patients are doing well. 30th October Heard a good lesson in Standard six on Latin Prose. Heard and looked through transcription in Standard three. Had a close look through the examination marks of Standard for and talked over the matter with Mr Pinto. The prospects of the class appear to be good. 31st October Looked over marks and examination prospects of Standard seven with Mr Shovier. The class is very weak and I fear it will do badly. Mr Shovier has worked hard with them but they do not respond. Heard a good lesson on the physical Geography of Europe by Mr Sharp in Standard five. Another case of beriberi, C. Walker. 1st November Heard a good lesson on 1st Book Radius (?) InEuc. Std 6 by Mr Little. The class is in a most satisfactory state and ought to do very well next year. Heard a lesson on decimals in the fifth Standard, and went through most of the other classes as usual. 2nd November The Annual Athletic Sports. Largely attended. A great success, thanks chiefly to the unsparing efforts of Messrs Sharp and Price. The two Walkers were removed from Hospital and taken home by their father. There is only one boy, Storey, now left in Hospital and as the doctors allowed him out on the sports today, for a short time, he may be regarded as a convalescent. There have so far been 12 beriberi cases 4th November Letters as usual. Four boys, Kennedy, Gray, Stone, and Booth, were reported to me for theft. I caned them soundly, awarded a week's punishment drill, and will see that reparation is made. Booth is a bad boy and I have told him that another offence will compell me to ask the Inspector to sanction his removal. I paid all the salaries today and some minor bills. 5th 6th 7th November Classes as usual. 8th November Heard portions of lessons in Standards four five and seven. Inspector arrived. 9th November King Emperor's Birthday. Half holiday. 11th November Dr Humphrey declared Storey the last beriberi patient convalescent. Visited classes four and Technical. Finally examination began. 12th November Mr Hallward, Inspector of European Schools, visited the school and tested the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh Stds and also visited the Shops. 16th November The whole School, in the afternoon, went over to the Girl's School at the invitation of the Headmistress to witness a Cantata. 17th November The saddest day in the whole year. William James Mitchell, age 15 years, only son of Mrs Mitchell, a widow residing at Gulgarbagh, Patna, died in the School Hospital about 10 a.m. Mitchell had been discharged by Dr Humphries from Hospital on the preceding Tuesday. He had been down with fever. On the following Saturday, he stayed in bed in Hospital and complained of some pain. He was (?) And carefully looked after by Nurse Hall who characterised his illness as a chill on the liver. Towards evening he was still much better that he was chatting cheerfully and even humming a song. He slept peacefully from 10 p.m. Saturday to 2:30 a.m. Sunday and then woke in some pain. The Nurse who lay near him got up and attended to him. At 6 a.m. he got worse and at eight o'clock I was sent for. I sent down for the doctor at once and went to the Hospital. The boy looked ill but neither the Nurse nor I thought that the end was so near. Later, I went outside to wait for the doctor but was summoned by the nurse at 10 a.m. to the Hospital. Mitchell died just as I entered the ward. Shortly afterwards Dr Humphrey arrived and certified that the boy was dead. I communicated at once with the Mother, the Magistrate, the Inspector, and the Chaplain. 18th November On Monday morning, Dr Humphrey held the post mortem. He subsequently certified the death to be due to Gastritis (?) with perforations. At about 11 a.m. we laid the boy to rest in the Kurseong Cemetery, the service being read by the Rev.. W. Careless, Chaplain of Kurseong. 20th November Papers and marks of the final examinations handed in. 23rd November Mr Spry I.C.S., Presided at our Annual Prize Distribution. 25th November and Government examinations began. 22 Victoria School Candidates (13 M.S. and 9 P.S.) sat, also 15 candidates from Goethal's Memorial School (13 M.S. and 2 P.S.). The Rev. W. H. Careless Presided. 30th November The Volunteer picnic. Closed the Registers. 1st 3rd 4th 7th December Parties of boys left under the escort of Masters. All arrived safely. |