The Headmaster's Diary - 1937.

Except for a brief period in January I have remained on duty during the vacation. The winter has been exceptionally cold and latterly wet.

Apart from the usual office routine and the supervision of P.W.D. work, the only items of interest are given below.

a. Jan 26th, I received Mrs Collett’s resignation. She had accepted a more lucrative post at St Paul's, Darjeeling. The School will miss Mrs Collett., who has done good work throughout the period of her appointment here

b. Mr W.D. Cashira (?) is working as P.A. to the D.P.I.. My information is that he may revert to Victoria, but until he does, temporary arrangements must be made.

c. On Feb 23rd Mr Gleases (?) Steward of the School handed in his resignation and departed on the same day. I am not sorry to lose Mr Gleases (?) his work xxx has been most unsatisfactory and it was my intention to ask the Governing Body in May to refuse his confirmation.

d. In January I received permission to admit Indian pupils as boarders, to a maximum of 15%. I have already a number of Indian day scholars, but it will obviously take time before that number is xxx by Indian Boarders.

2/3/1937
The first party of 75 boys in charge of Messrs Baillie and Staynor arrived today, in bitterly cold weather. Three other boys joined School independently of the party. Bringing the total of boys in the School on the first day to 78.

3/3/1937
The second party of 38 boys in charge of Messrs Clark and Prins arrived today. Again the day was intensely cold. Other boys arrived with their parents, and the total number in School on the second day was 124.

In the afternoon I held a Staff Meeting, at which I congratulated the Staff on the results of the Cambridge Examinations. Our results are easily the best in the District, and are among the best in Bengal. Here they are.

Senior Examinations

10 Entries, 8 passed.
Rassaby H.
O’Hara. F
Timbers. R.
Troude. L.
Lake. L.
Moddie. A.
Ferdinands. (?) B.

[Note: This List contains only 9 names. On the Honour Boards in the School Hall, the missing name is Webster. R. The Honour Boards are to be seen on this web site under the heading Honour Boards. Editor ]

Junior Examinations
20 Entries, 19 passes.

The Juniors entries was one of the largest in India.

Members of the Staff for 1937

Messrs
E. Staynor, Mathematics
T.D. Nugent, Science
T.W. Clark, English and Latin
V.C. Prins, History and Latin
C. Bloud, English
H.M. Baillie, Geography and Mathematics
T. Doyle, Class IV
T. Prins, Class III
Mrs Clark, Class II
Mrs Taylor, Class I
Mr R. B. Singh, Hindi.

Mr C.A. Price is on leave and Mr W.D. Coldnesa (?) on deputation (?) to act as P.A. to the Director.

Rev. G.B. Elliott, Anglican Chaplain will be on leave until August.

Prefects for 1937.

R. Swanton. Head Boy
L. Houlton
D. Lamb
S. Malims (?)
A. Rassaby
B. A. Moddie
C. F. O’Hara
D. E. Jacob
E. M. Clark
F. E.S Gasper

L. Balford will act as prefect for the Junior School .

4/3/1937
Text books and stationery were issued today. Classes should be able to start work tomorrow.

At 6.30 this evening the lights in the main school building failed and remained off for an hour. The trouble was eventually traced to faulty reconnection by the company after holidays.

Numbers of boys in the School – 140.

5/3/1937
Mr T. Doyle arrived today. He will do Mr Caldera’s work until the latter returns to Victoria. Mr Prins has been sent up by the Inspector.

It is too cold yet to hold night study. There are no fireplaces in school, and the Hall on a cold evening is no place for work.

Four new arrivals today brings the total in school to 144.

6/3/1937
Six new arrivals. The number of boys in School now numbers 150. Willard Waggones (?), an old boy who left in 1931, spent the day at Victoria.

7/3/1937
Services as usual in the School Chapels: those in the Anglican Chapel were conducted by Mr F. Elliott, the new School Chaplin.

In School as boarders – 159 boys.

8/3/1937
I allotted to Mr Prins today, Class III for the purpose of its conversion to a History Room. Class III has been moved to the room nearest the Armoury Building.

Cricket began today.

9/3/1937
Dow Hill in quarantine with the mumps.

10/3/1937
General Meeting today at 2.45 pm. Older boys permitted to go out during their lesson hours. [hmmm! What's this? It never was the case during my time at VS! Editor]

Mr Doyle’s appointment as Geography Master confirmed by Government Order received today.

11/3/1937
I and others have noticed how improved the general condition of the compound and buildings has been since the Steward resigned! The servants appear to be working better.

14/3/1937
Services as usual in the Chapels.

15/3/1937
Numbers of boys in residence – 172

17/3/1937
The University Inspectors were due today, but failed to arrive.

A holiday was taken today in recognition of the Examination results.

The Staff played the boys at cricket – and won !

I attended the usual monthly Standing Committee Meeting in Kurseong today. No business of importance.

20/3/1937
Mr Edmunds and Dr Thomas arrived today. Mr Edmunds is the Inspector for the Inter-Provincial Board and will stay at my house until Monday. Both Inspectors are here to discuss the future of Dow Hill Training College.

21/3/1937
Dr Thomas informed me that the Government has refused to consider the appointment of Mr T. Prins to the temporary vacancy in the Middle School. The grounds for objection appear to be the lack of adequate qualifications. I had earlier explained to the Inspector, at whose instance Mr Prins came here, that if the circumstances of his appointment were unusual, so too was the conditions of appointment. Theoretically there is no vacancy; Mr Cardera (?) has not yet handed over charge of his office, and may even revert (?) to Victoria. We are not likely to get a well qualified man to come up there at his own expense, if he may not be required after tomorrow.

I discussed also with Dr Thomas some of the difficulties caused by the delay in sanctioning the grant for linen and crockery and furniture.

23/3/1937
Dr Thomas and Mr Edmund left today. Before their departure, they visited the School buildings.

24/3/1937
I wrote today to a Mr R. Hadley to enquire if he is available to come to Victoria.

25/3/1937
The lights failed at 6 pm today and night study had to be abandoned. No light in the School buildings until 8 pm.

This is the third time this term that we have have been left in darkness.

Causes have been;
1. Faulty reconnection by the Company after the period of disconnection during the winter.
2. Fuse in the main box.
3. Failure of the supply from Kurseong.

26/3/1937
Easter Holidays commenced after Chapel this morning.

The Scouts went into camp on ‘Scouts Plain’.

Instead of Evensong, the Bible Story was illustrated by Lantern Slide.

29/3/1937
The Holidays ended today at 8.30 this morning.

31/3/1937
Last day of the Financial Year – very busy in the office.

Received a telegram at 5.30 from the Director in which he conveyed sanction for expenditure on linen and crockery. This sanction was received too late to be of value. It is difficult to know how we can between 5.30 and midnight on March 31st., call for linen and crockery tenders, decide them, award contracts, obtain the the stores and bills and pay for them !!! [What a great line.....bureaucrats don't change, do they?Editor]

1/4/1937
The P.W.D. is concerned about the supply of water and has suggested that water be cut off between 12.30 and 3 pm and 8 pm and 5 am each day.

2/4/1937
Busy with reports salaries etc…

3/4/1937
The School Cricket XI played a match with Goethals School today, and won easily.

5/4/1937
I discussed today with Miss Worth (?), the candidates for the post of Steward and arranged to recommend to Government that Mr J. Hill be appointed.

8/4/1937
There is still no master for Class III. This is a serious matter not only for the boys who have had no adequate teaching for three weeks, but also for the parents who pay fees for these boys.

10/4/1937
The School Cricket Xi went today to Darjeeling to play St Joseph’s nd were defeated. This is the first time that a Cricket team from Victoria has played St Joseph's.

11/4/1937
A Cricket match today against the Darjeeling Planters XI – the strongest side in the Darjeeling District. The match, xxx drawn went in our favour of the School .

14/4/1937
A lecture by Mr Chambers (?) in the evening on his European Tour. His slides were poor and delivery bad.

15/4/1937
I heard from the Inspector today that Mr Hadley had been appointed to the vacant Middle School post. Almost a month has passed since Class III had regular lessons.

16/4/1937
Fire Drill today. All the boys were on the flat within one minute of the alarm. All fire duties were efficiently performed.

17/4/1937
I lectured to the Senior Classes on Architecture during the evening.

21/4/1937
I spent the morning checking the Boarding Stock Book. A complete check requires at least 3 hours.

23/4/1937
I received a report today from the new doctor on the condition of the servants lines. As they are above the School, the servants quarters have always been a source of danger and I shall ask again for their removal to another position. (They’re still in the same position in the year 2002! Johnf).

24/4/1937
I received today news of the appointment of Mr Hill an old Victoria boy, as Steward of the School.

In this connection I would like to place on record my appreciation of the good work done by Mr Heywood during the period that we have been without a Steward. In addition to his own duties as Physical Training Instructor and Games Master, Mr Heywood undertook at his own suggestion, most of the duties of Steward. The work of Steward has not since I was at the School, been so efficiently done.

A concert in the School Hall this evening – given by Staff and boys.

25/4/1937
Mr Hadley arrived today. He will take over charge of his office as Middle School Master to-morrow morning.

I also received a telegram from Mr Hill accepting the post of Steward.

26/4/1937
Standing Committee Meeting in Kurseong this morning. The usual business of boarding accounts and delay fines (?).

27/4/1937
Mr J Michael, Secretary to the Agent , E.I.R. visited the School today. His interest was mainly directed to manual training.

Many boys with coughs and colds – the result I believe of the very dry weather. Very little rain has fallen since the beginning of March.

30/4/1937
A.G.B’s Auditors at present inspecting Dow Hill School, called on me this morning to discuss the method xxx of dining room numbers.

2/5/1937
Paid salaries.

Cricket match – Staff Vs School. Another victory for Staff:
Scores. Staff 202 (which must be a record at Victoria), School 66.

Serious shortage of water. For weeks no rain has fallen and the School has very little water during the day and none after 8 pm.

27/4/1937
I should have mentioned above that Mr J Hill took over charge of his duties on April 27th.

4/5/1937
College Inspectors (Profs. Levi and Ghosh), from Calcutta University inspected the College Department, and expressed their satisfaction with the arrangements. Prof. Levi talked to the students during the afternoon.

A.G.B’s auditors arrived in the office and commenced work.

8/5/1937
Discussed with the P.W.D. Engineer and Father Gubins (?) the plans of the new Roman Catholic Chapel. These plans have been called for, by the Director.

Inspected
(signed). H. Thomas.
10th May 1937

10th – 11th
Dr Thomas inspected the School and the parents (?) accounts of the office during the two days.

12/5/1937
Coronation Day. Service in the School Chapels at 8 am.and a dance at Dow Hill School in the evening.

13/5/1937
Today too, was observed as a holiday, granted by the Inspector at the request of the Head Boy.

14/5/1937
Col. Webb came to stay (with) us – and has paid frequent visits to the School during the course of the day.

15/5/1937
The Director of Public Instruction, Bengal, - Mr J.M. Bottomly C.I.E. – came to visit the School and stay for a day or two.

17/5/1937
Governing Body Meeting.

Mr Bottomly left today for Calcutta. Col. Webb also left.

18/5/1937
Audit (A.G.B’s) ended today. I have found the present audit staff particularly helpful.

19/5/1937
Our 1st Team played its first Football match of the season today against Goethals School: and lost 20 - 0.

20/5/1937
1st Term examinations began today at 9 am. These will continue until the 26th.

22/5/1937
Mr Prins lectured to the Upper School this evening on the “The (?) cities of the North of India”. The epidiascope was used.

The very epidiascope, (photo taken in 2001).

27/5/1937
End of examinations. Ordinary class work was resumed this morning – except in the case of the Seniors and pre Seniors who continue their examinations with additional mathematics.

The second encounter between the “A” teams of Victoria and Goethals at Goethals School ended today, in a draw.

28/5/1937
Holiday today in recognition of the Honour conferred upon the Director of Public Instruction, Bengal.

The day was wet – except for bright intervals.

29/5/1937
Wettest day of this year. Dance at Victoria in the evening and the girls of Dow Hill came across. [In today's terms, a most regrettable comment ! :-) Editor.]

30/5/1937
Paid salaries.

4th – 5th
Examination reports.

6/6/1937
Instead of the usual Evensong, the epidiascope was used in the School Chapel to illustrate the Bible Story.

8/6/1937
Lights failed for 2 hours this evening during a severe thunderstorm.

9/6/1937
Holiday in honour of H.M. The Kings Birthday. The day was wet.

12th - 13th
Away to Darjeeling, with the Inspectors permission. Mr Staynor remained in charge of the School.

18/6/1937
Office Holiday.

21/6/1937
The usual monthly Standing Committee Meeting in Kurseong. Business – accounts and delay fines. Returned at noon.

23/6/1937
The electric current failed this afternoon and in spite of assurances from the company the supply would be restored at 7.30, no light was available throughout the evening. No study the boys were sent to bed at 8. The School “B” team defeated Goethals “B” at Football.

24/6/1937

No current again today until 8 pm. Over the 24 hours without light. I’ve already reported this matter to the Inspector.

26/6/1937
Some 80 boys went to the pictures this evening. A cinema house has been opened in Kurseong. [The "Plaza", still going strong in 2001. Editor.]

3/7/1937
Paid salaries – Lectured in Dow Hill to the Senior girls and students on “Castles”.

4/7/1937
Epidiascope used in Chapel instead of Evensong.

Reports signed and dispatched.

5/7/1937
Today the Football season ended and the Hockey season began. Seven inches of rain fell during the night. The whole building continues to leak.

10/7/1937
Senior classes went down to the cinema this evening.

13/7/1937
Reported on order – given many times before – against the untidiness of classrooms and asked the staff to cooperate by insisting on tidiness before a lesson begins.

17/7/1937
Suspected case of diphtheria confirmed as such. Public Health Dept was informed and also was the Inspector to whom I telegraphed asking for permission to inoculate boys of the Junior School, in anticipation of parents consent: this is a second year in which diphtheria has occurred at the Junior School

18/7/1937
Junior School inoculated against diphtheria.

In the absence of Mr Elliott, I took evening service in the Chapel.

I left for Calcutta on urgent private matters and handed over charge to Mr Staynor.

24/7/1937
Returned from Calcutta - to find the School in quarantine for mumps. This is most unusual at this time of the year but we escaped the usual quarantine at the beginning of term.

26/7/1937
Attended the usual monthly meeting at Kurseong of the Standing Committee. Nothing in this meeting needs special comment.

28/7/1937
Discussed with Miss Webb which (?) xxx of the two Schools of the conclusions (?) of xxx into xxx and xxx .

29/7/1937
Began tonight a series of glee singing hours for the Senior boys. Mr Clark has undertaken to start and continue this new arrangement.

2/8/1937
Whole holiday the day promising to be fine. It was until midday.

4/8/1937
A Miss F. Goylls (?) gave a lecture in “Big School” on Central Africa. The School epidiascope was used.

6/8/1937
Several additional cases of mumps – quarantine restrictions threaten to continue for some time.

9/8/1937
Hockey house matches began today.

9th – 12th
Three very wet days – the whole building is saturated – the gymnasium was unusable. Boys have been unable to play games for the last three days.

14/8/1937
Quarantine restrictions will probably continue for some time. Number of fresh cases during the past week. This day we had originally allotted to the fete.

17/8/1937
A whole holiday – the day promised to be fine – and in the main, was.

19/8/1937
Second term examinations began today.

21/8/1937
First Hockey match with Goethals School today. Victoria was easily victorious by four goals to nil.

[It was also this Editor's Birthday! ]

26/8/1937
Examinations ended today.

27/8/1937
A whole holiday after examinations. The day was fine.

28/8/1937
Victoria Vs Goethals School - at Goethals. Victoria xxx won by 2 goals to nil. As Goethals School had a few days previously easily defeated St Paul's, our chances in the Pliva Shield competition appear to be good.

30/8/1937
An Indian juggler gave a display in the Hall this afternoon.

31/8/1937
One of the wettest days of the rains – 5 inches fell today.

Rev. Elliott left today for Calcutta – he will undergo medical treatment.

No games for three days.

3/9/1937
Holiday after the spell of rain. The day kept fair throughout.

4/9/1937
Mr Doyle was injured in a game against Goethals School today.

I attended a concert given by the students of Dow Hill.

5/9/1937
In the absence of Mr Elliott, no morning service could be held in the School Chapel. I conducted Evensong.

8/9/1937
A little worried today by the condition of the Terence Grovernor (?) who has developed a high temperature after being admitted to hospital with mumps.

10/9/1937
The Hockey team left today for Darjeeling - they play their first matches tomorrow against St Josephs.

Grovernor (Gusvenor ?) is now much better.

11/9/1937
Victoria defeated St Josephs College in the first round of the Pliva Shield Tournament.

12/9/1937
No morning service in the Anglican Chapel – Elliott is still away in Calcutta.

A very wet day.

13/9/1937
Mr Bloud left for Calcutta today – he has been called for interview in connection with the post of P.A. to the D.P.I.

16/9/1937
Then youngest Badiali broke his arm today.

17*9/1937
Heard today that the Prime Minister of Bengal will preside this year at our Speech day.

18/9/1937
Victoria drew their match against St Mary's, in the 2nd round of the Pliva Shield competition. Replay on Monday.

Dow Hill School held fete today.

19/9/1937
I took Evensong today in the School Chapel. Elliott will not be returning for some time.

20/9/1937
Victoria defeated St Mary's in the replay of the 2nd round in the Hockey competition.

23/9/1937
In Darjeeling today to receive Coronation Medal.

25/9/1937
Victoria was defeated today by the District Team in the final of the Pliva Shield tournament. The game was played in Darjeeling.

29/9/1937
Equatorial (?) rain – 5 inches measured today

.
2/10/1937
The rain has continued since September the 29th. A total of 22 inches has been recorded in the last four days.

3/10/1937
Rev. Elliott being still away, no services were held in the School Chapel today. The Rev. Fr Prior of the Oxford Mission will be here shortly on holiday. He has promised to conduct the School services until Elliott returns.

6/10/1937
Two more of the many wet days of this year. The rains have continued longer this year as any other since I arrived here in 1931.

9/10/1937
Sports day. The day was fine – and the games went off with their usual success. Three School records were broken, including that of the Long Jump in the “A” Division.

12/10/1937
Speech day. The Hon’ble Mr A.X. Fxxxxx arrived too late to respond to my report – he addressed the visitors in the Dining Room at tea time.

Pujah Holidays began this evening at 5 pm.

16/10/1937
Rev. E. Elliott returned to Victoria today – but he is not quite fit to conduct prayers services. Rev. Father Prior is continuing to take these.

17/10/1937
Mr H. Elton (?) who has been staying with me during the Pujah Holidays left for Calcutta today. He has been very kind to the Scouts during their camp.

19/10/1937
Visited the Scouts camp on the picnic grounds today.

20/10/1937
The Scouts Troop returned from camp today. This camp has been perhaps the most successful in the history of the troop – and credit for this has been due to Mr Prins and Father Prior.

21/10/1937
The Pujah holidays – delayed by Speech Day – came to a late conclusion this evening when all those on holiday from the School returned at 6 pm. The weather has been fine throughout the holiday.

22/10/1937
Classes resumed this morning. October is a very difficult month in which to work – the proximity of the Cambridge examinations makes this all the more serious.
23/10/1937

Sports day. Dow Hill School – the boys were permitted to attend but owing to quarantine had to return before tea.

27/10/1937
Speech Day. Dow Hill School. – the boys were unable to attend: they had been released from quarantine restrictions by the School doctor.

28/10/1937
Fresh case of chicken pox today. This will place us in quarantine almost until the end of term.

1/11/1937
Governing Body meeting at Dow Hill School. The Inspector of European Schools, Bengal, visited me at 9 am to discuss with me the agenda for the meeting.

2/11/1937
Very cold. The beginnings of a ‘flu’ epidemic have appeared.

Paid salaries this morning.

4/11/1937
Received news by telegram this afternoon that Hubert Elton (?) – perhaps the schools only benefactor of recent years, died in Calcutta this morning. I had known for some years that Mr Elton’s health was not good – but I didn't’t expect the shock which his passing gave me. Special prayers were said this evening.

8/11/1937
Meeting of the Staff at 2.30 today to discuss a farewell supper and presentation to Mr Texeira (?) who will retire at the end of the year.

10/11/1937
Very cold – much mist: A weather combination that makes things difficult in a school which has no fireplaces. !!

11/11/1937
The ‘two minutes silence’ was observed today at 11 o’clock.

14/11/1937
Usual services today – morning and evening.

Shooting Competition – Staff Vs Boys: Baker Shield rules. The Staff won.

15/11/1937
Mrs Taylor has mumps – this was reported to me this morning by the School matron.

16/11/1937
Checked the Stock Book of Boarding today.

17/11/1937
Prepared the tenders board sheet today – a considerable effort is required to complete this in one day.

21/11/1937
I attended at the invitation of Rev. Fathers Cleary and Clayton, the service of Ordination at St Mary's College today.

The epidiascope was used today in the School Chapel – instead of the usual Evensong service.

23/11/1937
Final Examinations began today. I attended a Standing Committee Meeting during this morning.

With the Principal of Dow Hill School, and the two Lady Housekeepers, I discussed the tenders for the next years boarding Contracts.

27/11/1937
Examinations ended today.

28/11/1937
A Carol service was sung in the School Chapel this morning. I conducted the service and gave the address.

30/11/1937
Mr Jenkinson (Art and Manual) who is retiring and Mr Doyle (Geography - officiating) handed over charge of their offices.

1/12/1937
End of the term. The first party left, in charge of Messrs Nugent and Hill.

2/12/1937
Departure of the second party, in charge of Messrs Baillie and Heywood.

4/12/1937
I handed over charge of my office today to Mr V.C. Prins, who will be officer in charge during the vacation and left for Calcutta.