Headmasters Diary

Winter Vacation 1940 – 1941

For the greater part of the vacation I have remained on duty. I give below the periods of detention (?).

Victoria

Dec 1st to Dec 26th
Jan 10th to Feb 4th.

I went to Calcutta for 14 days rest. Mr T.D. Nugent in charge

Feb 4th to Feb 11th
Feb 11th to March 1st.

I was in Calcutta to see parents.
Miss Harley in charge. [See! There has been a Headmistress of Victoria School ! Editor]

Dow Hill

Dec 20th to Dec 26th
Jan 10th to Jan 30th

I was officer in charge at Dow Hill School on these dates. [And there has been a Headmaster of Dow Hill, other than the first one ! ].

Admissions
There have been this winter over 130 applications for admission. And by the middle of Feb 1941, some 53 of these had materialized. As there were very few withdrawals at the end of last term, this means that the School will be fairly full at the beginning of the term. Our full allotted percentage of Indians has been reached.

Repairs &

The R.C. Chapel is nearing complation. Early in the vacation, the P.W.D. stated that ti would be ready by mid January: Now in the middle of February, they still require another six weeks. This is by no means an unusual experience.

The other annual repairs have been proceeding throughout the winter. My wife has helped me a good deal with the compound: particularly in repairing these xxx which during the last two years have been required (?) by xxx xxx.

Lack of supervision in these last two years has been responsible for much damage to School property, and to the compound.

The Electrical P.W.D. have been installing the remaining lights in classrooms and the three floodlights for the compound. The work is not yet complete.

Changes in School Arrangements
The continued vacancy in the third (?) masters post has forced me back to the old dormitory dispositions: that is, to abandon (?) the Junior School over in the Commercial Dormitories and to put the senior boys back there.

I do not like this arrangement: but after years of difficulty with a dormitory of 80 boys without a matron (?) can. I have been obliged to seek the line of least resistance.

There are many other difficulties which I have had to face this winter:
1. During the last few years – two years – numbers in the School have so low that I find an acute shortage of beds, mattresses and desks.
2. No sanction has been received for the purchase of Linen and Crockery. This means that I have been unable yet – within 10 days of term – to make temporary replacements, or to provide for the vastly increased numbers in the School.

Appointments.

Middle School Master – vice Mr Bloud on deputation to the English post.

After many difficulties I have requested Mr C. Oliver to take this vacancy as soon as possible in March.

Matron. Mrs Anderson will probably go to Dow Hill School as Music Mistress. I have been compelled to offer the mistress’s post vacated by her, to Mrs Doyle for the time being.

Housekeeper. Mrs Nugent’s resignation was received during January. I have requested permission to advertise the vacancy: meanwhile I have asked Mrs Nugent to continue beyond the 28th February and until a new appointment has been made.

Games Master. This vacancy has not yet been filled. It seems to be impossible to get a European. I have suggested that therefore that a good Indian P.T. instructor be transferred temporarily from one of the Government of India Schools, to Victoria.

Vernacular Master. I have much earlier requested permission to advertise - this has not yet been granted. Meanwhile Mr Singh has consented to return and carry on beyond the date of his retirement.

Interviews with Parents.

From 4th to 10th inclusive I was in Calcutta, interviewing parents. Some 55 parents and guardians came to see me and of these 6 were new admissions. The Inspector of European Schools, Bengal, kindly lent me a room in his office and I remained on duty each morning for 6 days from 9.30 to 12.30.

I attended a selection committee meeting for the middle School post, in the Directors Office on Feb 6th: and another on the 8th in the Inspectors Office.

1/3/1941
The New term starts tomorrow when the first party of boys will arrive. The School will be full this year – even allowing for one or two to dropout. We should have nearly 190 boarders: which with day scholars will bring our number to roughly 200. I have made what I can of the depleted material I have:- beds, desks etc..

Since my last note on the appointments for this term, the following additions to the Staff have been made, in anticipation of Government orders:

Middle School Master. Mr C. Olliver has been offered and has accepted the post of M.S.M. and will join by March 20th at the latest.

Mrs Doyle has been asked to take the matrons post when Mrs Anderson goes to Dow Hill.
Mrs Nugent will continue as Housekeeper until a new appointment is made. The advertisement for this post has been sent for publication.

The P.T. Instructors post has not yet been filled. I have arranged with the Director of Public Instructions for a Buchanan trained Indian to be transferred here temporarily from a Government School.

Vernacular Master. Mr Singh has agreed to continue beyond the period of his leave until a new appointment is made.

The new system of compound floodlighting is now ready. This scheme was worked out by Mr Nugent and me in 1937 and although I am not satisfied yet that we have got all we should have from the money allotted by Govt., the lighting is a great improvement.

For the first time too, the boys luggage and bedding will be brought up to the School by lorry. The Magistrate of Kurseong has given me permission to use the road for a lorry and I hope by this means to save both time and money.

2/3/1941
The first party in charge of Messrs Prins and Lochner arrived today.

3/3/1941
The second party in charge of Messrs Bloud and Doyle arrived today. This was a large party. Consisting of 82 boys.

Number in School – 126.

Staff meeting in the Afternoon.

4/3/1941
The day has been devoted to the issue of text books and stationery.

5/3/1941
Boys have continued to arrive with the first party during the last 2 days. The total number on School is 150, which is very satisfactory.

A short Staff Meeting was held this morning to distribute Time Tables.

I have, in anticipation of orders, arranged for Mrs Doyle to take Mrs Andersons’ work as Matron. Mrs Anderson has with Miss Harley’s consent, gone to Dow Hill as Music Mistress – this also in anticipation of orders. Mr Olliver, who will take the Middle School post is expected to join by the 17th March. A Physical Training Instructor has not yet been appointed.
6/3/1941

There are more 152 boys in School – all these are boarders.

The new floodlights, of which there are 3 at present are working well and have immensely valuable on these dark evenings.

Work began yesterday and has continued today.

These are the Staff arrangements for this year.

Mr T.D. Nugent – Science

Mr V. Prins History & Latin – charge of Scout Troop & School Library.

Mr C.A. Bloud – English

Mr D. Morris – Geography & Latin – charge of Scout Troop & Discipline in Commercial D

Mr T. Doyle – Form master & English (Class VI) – Text Books.

Mr A. Lochner – Mathematics – Games.

Mr J. Hill – Manual – Steward

Mrs Clark – Art & Class IV – Furniture.

Mrs Hill – Class II – Staff Library.
(Mrs Hill is acting for Mrs H.M. Baillie who has not yet returned from leave)

Mr Singh – Hindi
(Mr Singh although he has received permission to return, will continue until a new vernacular master has been appointed.)

Mr Olliver – Middle School – Games & Commercial Dormitories.

The Games & P.T. Instructor has not yet been appointed.

Domestic Staff

Mrs Nugent – Housekeeeper – until a new appointment is made.

Mrs Heywood – Matron – A & B Dormitory – (80 boys).

Mrs Doyle – Matron – C & D Dormitory – (80 boys - care of mending materials (?).)

Mrs Hill – Steward – (Mr Hill also teaches Manual).

Prefects

Stuart R. Head Prefect
Antram H.
Buebee (?) L.
Carapiet G.
Celand D.
Greenham D. (?)
Grant P.
Newbould L.
Rose A.
Breese O.

Prefects in charge of Commercial Dormitory – G.Carapiet

A & B – H. Antram

C & D – D. Greenham & A. Rose

7/3/1941
Total numbers of boarders in School – 157

The weather since the boys arrived has been atrocious – intensely cold & wet. For this reason we have been to play games on only one afternoon in 4. Night Study has had to be abandoned for the time being.

9/3/1941
Usual services were held in the Chapels. The R.C. Chapel is not yet ready but probably will be by the middle of the month.

Eleven boys arrived today.

10/3/1941
Work is now in full swing. There are 171 boys in School.

Mrs Doyle’s appointment as Matron has been received from Government – her duties will date from the 4th March.

Me Olliver has not yet arrived – nor has the Games master & P.T. Instructor.

11/3/1941
Treasury day. Three electric bells have been installed, one in each of C & D, A & B Dormitories, and one in the Dining Room.

15/3/1941
There are now 174 boys in School .

Work has gone on steadily this week – in spite of the interruptions caused by some 20 late arrivals.

Cricket began on Wednesday in splendid weather.

17/3/1941
I received news today that Mr Olliver will report for duty on Tuesday. The Physical Director has too, made his recommendation to the Director of Public Instruction for filling the post of P.T. Instructor here.

The dormitories appear to be well organized and run now. I hope that at least this year I shall have a third Matron for the Senior Dormitory.

I have asked Mr Bloud to produce a School Magazine this year. He has promised to do so by June 15th.

There are 175 boarders in School.

18/3/1941
Mrs Nugent’s resignation was effective from today. Without any other choice, I have asked Mrs Ardall to come in and help with the housekeeping. I have taken charge of the stock books, ordering etc.. This has imposed an additional strain on me, but there is no other way out of the difficulty. Mr Olliver took over charge of his duties.

19/3/1941
Usual services in the School Chapels. The R.C. Chapel is still uncompleted: which means that my College Department is still without its classroom.

28/3/1941
Two more cases of chicken pox reported to the hospital today. It looks as though the usual long stretch of quarantine will be experienced this year.

I have been doing most of the work of Housekeeper during the past 10 days. Mrs Ardell has come in to help me with the actual catering but all the ordering, receiving and entering I have done.

31/3/1941
Mrs Ardell handed over charge of her duties as Housekeeper this afternoon. I have taken charge of her duties entirely.

Mrs Shannon has been appointed to the post, but she will be unable to join before May 1st.

8/4/1941
This past week has been one of the hardest I’ve spent here. In addition to the normal duties of Headmaster, I have undertaken the whole burden of the Housekeeper’s post – the whole of it, including stock books, diet (?) scale, bills etc.. no part of which has been done by anyone else. For future reference I can therefore record that the whole business of receiving, issuing, entering and checking can be done daily in 50 minutes: one whole day each month, spent checking bills and stock-book supplies for that part of the Housekeepers work: there remains the catering which consists mainly in preparing menus and watching the servants. As I have recorded, I have done the whole work in addition to my normal duties: this does not mean that the duties of the H.M. are light, but it does mean that the work of the Housekeeper has been grossly exaggerated.

11/4/1941
Easter Holidays began today after morning Chapel. The School is still in quarantine and the boys are not, therefore, allowed out.

14/4/1941
The Easter Holidays ended this morning.

20/4/1941
Cricket match. School XI Vs Planters. An easy victory for the School XI by 6 wickets. The School team consisted entirely of boys.

21/4/1941
Governing Body meeting at Victoria.

26/4/1941
The electric current failed on Friday evening at 8.30 and remained off for nearly 24 hours. This is the second time that the current has been off for a whole day or more. On the previous occasion, the current was off for 36 hours.

1/5/1941
Mrs Sherman took over charge of her duties as Lady Housekeeper today.

There are 182 boys in School and approximately 8 to come.

4/5/1941
Many days of rain have preceded this day - it seems as though the rains have already begun. The corridors, classrooms, desks have all been saturated.

School XI Vs St Joseph’s – cricket, win for St Joseph’s.

6/5/1941
Results of December 1940 School Certificate Examination received today. All 11 of our Senior candidates passed. The result is very good. 5 of 10 Juniors passed.

7/5/1941
Holiday for the good results of the Examination. Brilliant weather – the one fine day in the last 10.

8/5/1941
The whole School went to the cinema at 3,30 today.

10/5/1941
The rains continue and the whole School leaks. It has been impossible to get hold of the C & D overseer with the result that C & D Dormitory is almost swamped (?). the broken window panes – which were reported earlier in this book – make things worse.

During the last 3 days the Inspector, Mr Clark, has been inspecting the accounts – Private & of the School. Next Tuesday outside audit of the A.G.B. will begin an inspection of the Government accounts.

184 boarders actually in School – 9 more to come.

A P.T. Instructor has not yet been appointed - there has been no P.T. instruction in the School for 12 months now. There is among the boys a distinct tendency to round shoulders xxx to this.

11/5/1941
Usual services in the Chapels. Dr Thomas, Inspector of European Schools, Bengal, attended Evensong in the Anglican Chapel.

The allowance of eggs for the senior boys was increased from 1 to 2 each day for chota hazri.

12/5/1941
As the day has been exceptionally fine I’ve allowed the Junior classes to go for a walk in the afternoon.

10th – 12th
Inspectors Head (?) Clerk examined the Private accounts in the office.

13/5/1941
A.G.B’s Audit commenced today. This will continue until the 21st.

Dr. Thomas again visited me.

18/5/1941
Victoria Vs Planters in Edinburgh Shield Game. Win for Victoria by 8 wickets.

19/5/1941
Standing committee Meeting at Victoria to select Hindi Master in place of Mr Singh who has already permission to retire. The six candidates who were short listed were interviewed and a selection made. This selection will be submitted to Government for approval.

20/5/1941
University College Inspector visited the School today and discussed with me the College Dept. I referred during the conversation to the position of the three boys who wish to take Science. They promised to help.

22/5/1941
The Rt. Hon’. Fazbel Haque, Chief Minister lunched with me today.

23/5/1941
The Metropolitan came to stay with me. Confirmation Service for 17 candidates in the Anglican Chapel.

School out of quarantine today.

25/5/1941
By defeating St joseph’s in a cricket match at Darjeeling today, the School XI won the Edinburgh Shield. This is the first time the School has entered this tournament and their win was all the more creditable because it was the only team consisting of school boys. I think I am right claiming that this is the first time in the long history of the tournament that an entirely school boys team has won the Shield.

4/6/1941
Mr Bottomley, Director of Public Instruction, Bengal, arrived & stayed at my house.

5/6/1941
I took Mr Bottomley over the School compound and buildings and discussed with him among (?)

1. The site for the Servants Lines
2. Additonal Matrons
3. Science Bench
4. Bathing arrangements for the 2 main dormitories
5. Drying Rooms

6/6/1941
Mr Vernon (?), Senior Regional Inspector of Technical Training came today and discussed with me the scheme for War Trainees (?) attached to Victoria School.

Mr J. Hill, Steward, has now been gazetted as Physical Training Instructor and Games Master. Physical Training will commence on Monday after an interval of over a year.
There are 186 boarders in School.

7/6/1941
Examinations (1st term) ended today. This has occupied the whole of this past week.

12/6/1941
Holiday for the King’s birthday. Dance in the School Hall in the evening.

14/6/1941
Busy xxx last few days with the past term reports.

22/6/1941
His Grace the Metropolitan of Calcutta attended a Solemn Blessing of the R.C. Chapel – The Chapel was named Holy Trinity Chapel. A service of confirmation followed the Blessing of the Chapel.

23/6/1941
His Grace the Archbishop’s holiday. It rained most of the day.

28/6/1941
Month end holiday. School football XI went to Dg to play St Paul’s. The latter won by 1 goal. Senior School to the cinema in the evening.

1/7/1941
Three boys, Thorn K., Patterson G., Gordon J., were missing from night study and found to have absented themselves from School without permission. This was reported to me at 8.40. I made the usual enquiries by telephone and sent Mr Morrison with two prefects to Siliguri. No information of their whereabouts was received on this day.

2/7/1941
The runaways were recaptured today, while they were making their way by train to Siliguri. They were brought back to School by Mr Morrison and punished in his presence.

Treasury (?) Day.

3/7/1941
Paid salaries to the School servants today.

5/7/1941
Mr Singh, who for 29 years has been the Vernacular Master here, handed over charge and went on leave Preparatory to Retirement.

9/7/1941
Mr Dutta took over charge of his duties as Vernacular Master.

22/7/1941
On the afternoon of this date, I handed over charge of my duties to Mr Nugent and proceeded to Calcutta to officiate for Dr Thomas.

1/10/1941
On the morning of this date I resumed charge of the Office of Headmaster. The School was on holiday. Bengal Time adopted at Victoria.

3/10/1941
A nasty accident occurred today. G Davies (?) fell from a rock and injured himself, it was thought at first, severely. The boy was seen by Dr Ahmed and I called in Dr Biswas (?) (the Civil surgeon wasn’t available) to give a second opinion. The latter thought that the injuries were purely local and not serious.

4/10/1941
Davies injuries are not of a serious nature. His parents have been informed.

7/10/1941
Classes were resumed today. The Pujah holidays had xxx been extended to include Monday.

17/10/1941
Speech day. The Hon. Mr A. Fazbel Haque, Chief Minister of West Bengal, presided and spoke for some 20 minutes.

18/10/1941
Sports day one of the most successful I can remember. Xxx School records were broken. There was a large number of visitors and for the first time, tea was served on the xxx (?)

21/10/1941
The rumours of the death in Palestine of Wm Bayford who was Head Boy in 1935 and 1936 were confirmed today.

22/10/1941
Memorial Service in the Chapel for Wm Bayford who died in Palestine on October 16th, 1941. No month end holiday this month.

8/11/1941
Dow Hill School Speech Day. The whole School attended in the afternoon.

Mrs Bullock (?) appointed as 3rd Matron. I am doing the Housekeeping for the time being.

10/11/1941
Death of a girl from Dow Hill School in the School Hospital. Cynthia Andrews was the sister of R. Anderson in Class IV

11/11/1941
Funeral Service in the School Chapel and burial at Kurseong. Two minute silence observed.

24/11/1941
School Examinations began today.

27/11/1941
Staff Meeting – among the subjects discussed were the duties for the Winter vacation. There seems to have been some misunderstanding among members of staff about their liability for duty.

28/11/1941
Examinations ended today.


	The Headmaster's Diary - 1941. Victoria School - Kurseong.

	Winter Vacation 1940 – 1941 For the greater part of the vacation I have remained on duty. I give below the periods of detention (?). Victoria Dec 1st to Dec 26th Jan 10th to Feb 4th. I went to Calcutta for 14 days rest. Mr T.D. Nugent in charge Feb 4th to Feb 11th Feb 11th to March 1st. I was in Calcutta to see parents. Miss Harley in charge. [See! There has been a Headmistress of Victoria School ! Editor] Dow Hill Dec 20th to Dec 26th Jan 10th to Jan 30th I was officer in charge at Dow Hill School on these dates. [And there has been a Headmaster of Dow Hill, other than the first one ! ]. Admissions There have been this winter over 130 applications for admission. And by the middle of Feb 1941, some 53 of these had materialized. As there were very few withdrawals at the end of last term, this means that the School will be fairly full at the beginning of the term. Our full allotted percentage of Indians has been reached. Repairs & The R.C. Chapel is nearing complation. Early in the vacation, the P.W.D. stated that ti would be ready by mid January: Now in the middle of February, they still require another six weeks. This is by no means an unusual experience. The other annual repairs have been proceeding throughout the winter. My wife has helped me a good deal with the compound: particularly in repairing these xxx which during the last two years have been required (?) by xxx xxx. Lack of supervision in these last two years has been responsible for much damage to School property, and to the compound. The Electrical P.W.D. have been installing the remaining lights in classrooms and the three floodlights for the compound. The work is not yet complete. Changes in School Arrangements The continued vacancy in the third (?) masters post has forced me back to the old dormitory dispositions: that is, to abandon (?) the Junior School over in the Commercial Dormitories and to put the senior boys back there. I do not like this arrangement: but after years of difficulty with a dormitory of 80 boys without a matron (?) can. I have been obliged to seek the line of least resistance. There are many other difficulties which I have had to face this winter: 1. During the last few years – two years – numbers in the School have so low that I find an acute shortage of beds, mattresses and desks. 2. No sanction has been received for the purchase of Linen and Crockery. This means that I have been unable yet – within 10 days of term – to make temporary replacements, or to provide for the vastly increased numbers in the School. Appointments. Middle School Master – vice Mr Bloud on deputation to the English post. After many difficulties I have requested Mr C. Oliver to take this vacancy as soon as possible in March. Matron. Mrs Anderson will probably go to Dow Hill School as Music Mistress. I have been compelled to offer the mistress’s post vacated by her, to Mrs Doyle for the time being. Housekeeper. Mrs Nugent’s resignation was received during January. I have requested permission to advertise the vacancy: meanwhile I have asked Mrs Nugent to continue beyond the 28th February and until a new appointment has been made. Games Master. This vacancy has not yet been filled. It seems to be impossible to get a European. I have suggested that therefore that a good Indian P.T. instructor be transferred temporarily from one of the Government of India Schools, to Victoria. Vernacular Master. I have much earlier requested permission to advertise - this has not yet been granted. Meanwhile Mr Singh has consented to return and carry on beyond the date of his retirement. Interviews with Parents. From 4th to 10th inclusive I was in Calcutta, interviewing parents. Some 55 parents and guardians came to see me and of these 6 were new admissions. The Inspector of European Schools, Bengal, kindly lent me a room in his office and I remained on duty each morning for 6 days from 9.30 to 12.30. I attended a selection committee meeting for the middle School post, in the Directors Office on Feb 6th: and another on the 8th in the Inspectors Office. 1/3/1941 The New term starts tomorrow when the first party of boys will arrive. The School will be full this year – even allowing for one or two to dropout. We should have nearly 190 boarders: which with day scholars will bring our number to roughly 200. I have made what I can of the depleted material I have:- beds, desks etc.. Since my last note on the appointments for this term, the following additions to the Staff have been made, in anticipation of Government orders: Middle School Master. Mr C. Olliver has been offered and has accepted the post of M.S.M. and will join by March 20th at the latest. Mrs Doyle has been asked to take the matrons post when Mrs Anderson goes to Dow Hill. Mrs Nugent will continue as Housekeeper until a new appointment is made. The advertisement for this post has been sent for publication. The P.T. Instructors post has not yet been filled. I have arranged with the Director of Public Instructions for a Buchanan trained Indian to be transferred here temporarily from a Government School. Vernacular Master. Mr Singh has agreed to continue beyond the period of his leave until a new appointment is made. The new system of compound floodlighting is now ready. This scheme was worked out by Mr Nugent and me in 1937 and although I am not satisfied yet that we have got all we should have from the money allotted by Govt., the lighting is a great improvement. For the first time too, the boys luggage and bedding will be brought up to the School by lorry. The Magistrate of Kurseong has given me permission to use the road for a lorry and I hope by this means to save both time and money. 2/3/1941 The first party in charge of Messrs Prins and Lochner arrived today. 3/3/1941 The second party in charge of Messrs Bloud and Doyle arrived today. This was a large party. Consisting of 82 boys. Number in School – 126. Staff meeting in the Afternoon. 4/3/1941 The day has been devoted to the issue of text books and stationery. 5/3/1941 Boys have continued to arrive with the first party during the last 2 days. The total number on School is 150, which is very satisfactory. A short Staff Meeting was held this morning to distribute Time Tables. I have, in anticipation of orders, arranged for Mrs Doyle to take Mrs Andersons’ work as Matron. Mrs Anderson has with Miss Harley’s consent, gone to Dow Hill as Music Mistress – this also in anticipation of orders. Mr Olliver, who will take the Middle School post is expected to join by the 17th March. A Physical Training Instructor has not yet been appointed. 6/3/1941 There are more 152 boys in School – all these are boarders. The new floodlights, of which there are 3 at present are working well and have immensely valuable on these dark evenings. Work began yesterday and has continued today. These are the Staff arrangements for this year. Mr T.D. Nugent – Science Mr V. Prins History & Latin – charge of Scout Troop & School Library. Mr C.A. Bloud – English Mr D. Morris – Geography & Latin – charge of Scout Troop & Discipline in Commercial D Mr T. Doyle – Form master & English (Class VI) – Text Books. Mr A. Lochner – Mathematics – Games. Mr J. Hill – Manual – Steward Mrs Clark – Art & Class IV – Furniture. Mrs Hill – Class II – Staff Library. (Mrs Hill is acting for Mrs H.M. Baillie who has not yet returned from leave) Mr Singh – Hindi (Mr Singh although he has received permission to return, will continue until a new vernacular master has been appointed.) Mr Olliver – Middle School – Games & Commercial Dormitories. The Games & P.T. Instructor has not yet been appointed. Domestic Staff Mrs Nugent – Housekeeeper – until a new appointment is made. Mrs Heywood – Matron – A & B Dormitory – (80 boys). Mrs Doyle – Matron – C & D Dormitory – (80 boys - care of mending materials (?).) Mrs Hill – Steward – (Mr Hill also teaches Manual). Prefects Stuart R. Head Prefect Antram H. Buebee (?) L. Carapiet G. Celand D. Greenham D. (?) Grant P. Newbould L. Rose A. Breese O. Prefects in charge of Commercial Dormitory – G.Carapiet A & B – H. Antram C & D – D. Greenham & A. Rose 7/3/1941 Total numbers of boarders in School – 157 The weather since the boys arrived has been atrocious – intensely cold & wet. For this reason we have been to play games on only one afternoon in 4. Night Study has had to be abandoned for the time being. 9/3/1941 Usual services were held in the Chapels. The R.C. Chapel is not yet ready but probably will be by the middle of the month. Eleven boys arrived today. 10/3/1941 Work is now in full swing. There are 171 boys in School. Mrs Doyle’s appointment as Matron has been received from Government – her duties will date from the 4th March. Me Olliver has not yet arrived – nor has the Games master & P.T. Instructor. 11/3/1941 Treasury day. Three electric bells have been installed, one in each of C & D, A & B Dormitories, and one in the Dining Room. 15/3/1941 There are now 174 boys in School . Work has gone on steadily this week – in spite of the interruptions caused by some 20 late arrivals. Cricket began on Wednesday in splendid weather. 17/3/1941 I received news today that Mr Olliver will report for duty on Tuesday. The Physical Director has too, made his recommendation to the Director of Public Instruction for filling the post of P.T. Instructor here. The dormitories appear to be well organized and run now. I hope that at least this year I shall have a third Matron for the Senior Dormitory. I have asked Mr Bloud to produce a School Magazine this year. He has promised to do so by June 15th. There are 175 boarders in School. 18/3/1941 Mrs Nugent’s resignation was effective from today. Without any other choice, I have asked Mrs Ardall to come in and help with the housekeeping. I have taken charge of the stock books, ordering etc.. This has imposed an additional strain on me, but there is no other way out of the difficulty. Mr Olliver took over charge of his duties. 19/3/1941 Usual services in the School Chapels. The R.C. Chapel is still uncompleted: which means that my College Department is still without its classroom. 28/3/1941 Two more cases of chicken pox reported to the hospital today. It looks as though the usual long stretch of quarantine will be experienced this year. I have been doing most of the work of Housekeeper during the past 10 days. Mrs Ardell has come in to help me with the actual catering but all the ordering, receiving and entering I have done. 31/3/1941 Mrs Ardell handed over charge of her duties as Housekeeper this afternoon. I have taken charge of her duties entirely. Mrs Shannon has been appointed to the post, but she will be unable to join before May 1st. 8/4/1941 This past week has been one of the hardest I’ve spent here. In addition to the normal duties of Headmaster, I have undertaken the whole burden of the Housekeeper’s post – the whole of it, including stock books, diet (?) scale, bills etc.. no part of which has been done by anyone else. For future reference I can therefore record that the whole business of receiving, issuing, entering and checking can be done daily in 50 minutes: one whole day each month, spent checking bills and stock-book supplies for that part of the Housekeepers work: there remains the catering which consists mainly in preparing menus and watching the servants. As I have recorded, I have done the whole work in addition to my normal duties: this does not mean that the duties of the H.M. are light, but it does mean that the work of the Housekeeper has been grossly exaggerated. 11/4/1941 Easter Holidays began today after morning Chapel. The School is still in quarantine and the boys are not, therefore, allowed out. 14/4/1941 The Easter Holidays ended this morning. 20/4/1941 Cricket match. School XI Vs Planters. An easy victory for the School XI by 6 wickets. The School team consisted entirely of boys. 21/4/1941 Governing Body meeting at Victoria. 26/4/1941 The electric current failed on Friday evening at 8.30 and remained off for nearly 24 hours. This is the second time that the current has been off for a whole day or more. On the previous occasion, the current was off for 36 hours. 1/5/1941 Mrs Sherman took over charge of her duties as Lady Housekeeper today. There are 182 boys in School and approximately 8 to come. 4/5/1941 Many days of rain have preceded this day - it seems as though the rains have already begun. The corridors, classrooms, desks have all been saturated. School XI Vs St Joseph’s – cricket, win for St Joseph’s. 6/5/1941 Results of December 1940 School Certificate Examination received today. All 11 of our Senior candidates passed. The result is very good. 5 of 10 Juniors passed. 7/5/1941 Holiday for the good results of the Examination. Brilliant weather – the one fine day in the last 10. 8/5/1941 The whole School went to the cinema at 3,30 today. 10/5/1941 The rains continue and the whole School leaks. It has been impossible to get hold of the C & D overseer with the result that C & D Dormitory is almost swamped (?). the broken window panes – which were reported earlier in this book – make things worse. During the last 3 days the Inspector, Mr Clark, has been inspecting the accounts – Private & of the School. Next Tuesday outside audit of the A.G.B. will begin an inspection of the Government accounts. 184 boarders actually in School – 9 more to come. A P.T. Instructor has not yet been appointed - there has been no P.T. instruction in the School for 12 months now. There is among the boys a distinct tendency to round shoulders xxx to this. 11/5/1941 Usual services in the Chapels. Dr Thomas, Inspector of European Schools, Bengal, attended Evensong in the Anglican Chapel. The allowance of eggs for the senior boys was increased from 1 to 2 each day for chota hazri. 12/5/1941 As the day has been exceptionally fine I’ve allowed the Junior classes to go for a walk in the afternoon. 10th – 12th Inspectors Head (?) Clerk examined the Private accounts in the office. 13/5/1941 A.G.B’s Audit commenced today. This will continue until the 21st. Dr. Thomas again visited me. 18/5/1941 Victoria Vs Planters in Edinburgh Shield Game. Win for Victoria by 8 wickets. 19/5/1941 Standing committee Meeting at Victoria to select Hindi Master in place of Mr Singh who has already permission to retire. The six candidates who were short listed were interviewed and a selection made. This selection will be submitted to Government for approval. 20/5/1941 University College Inspector visited the School today and discussed with me the College Dept. I referred during the conversation to the position of the three boys who wish to take Science. They promised to help. 22/5/1941 The Rt. Hon’. Fazbel Haque, Chief Minister lunched with me today. 23/5/1941 The Metropolitan came to stay with me. Confirmation Service for 17 candidates in the Anglican Chapel. School out of quarantine today. 25/5/1941 By defeating St joseph’s in a cricket match at Darjeeling today, the School XI won the Edinburgh Shield. This is the first time the School has entered this tournament and their win was all the more creditable because it was the only team consisting of school boys. I think I am right claiming that this is the first time in the long history of the tournament that an entirely school boys team has won the Shield. 4/6/1941 Mr Bottomley, Director of Public Instruction, Bengal, arrived & stayed at my house. 5/6/1941 I took Mr Bottomley over the School compound and buildings and discussed with him among (?) 1. The site for the Servants Lines 2. Additonal Matrons 3. Science Bench 4. Bathing arrangements for the 2 main dormitories 5. Drying Rooms 6/6/1941 Mr Vernon (?), Senior Regional Inspector of Technical Training came today and discussed with me the scheme for War Trainees (?) attached to Victoria School. Mr J. Hill, Steward, has now been gazetted as Physical Training Instructor and Games Master. Physical Training will commence on Monday after an interval of over a year. There are 186 boarders in School. 7/6/1941 Examinations (1st term) ended today. This has occupied the whole of this past week. 12/6/1941 Holiday for the King’s birthday. Dance in the School Hall in the evening. 14/6/1941 Busy xxx last few days with the past term reports. 22/6/1941 His Grace the Metropolitan of Calcutta attended a Solemn Blessing of the R.C. Chapel – The Chapel was named Holy Trinity Chapel. A service of confirmation followed the Blessing of the Chapel. 23/6/1941 His Grace the Archbishop’s holiday. It rained most of the day. 28/6/1941 Month end holiday. School football XI went to Dg to play St Paul’s. The latter won by 1 goal. Senior School to the cinema in the evening. 1/7/1941 Three boys, Thorn K., Patterson G., Gordon J., were missing from night study and found to have absented themselves from School without permission. This was reported to me at 8.40. I made the usual enquiries by telephone and sent Mr Morrison with two prefects to Siliguri. No information of their whereabouts was received on this day. 2/7/1941 The runaways were recaptured today, while they were making their way by train to Siliguri. They were brought back to School by Mr Morrison and punished in his presence. Treasury (?) Day. 3/7/1941 Paid salaries to the School servants today. 5/7/1941 Mr Singh, who for 29 years has been the Vernacular Master here, handed over charge and went on leave Preparatory to Retirement. 9/7/1941 Mr Dutta took over charge of his duties as Vernacular Master. 22/7/1941 On the afternoon of this date, I handed over charge of my duties to Mr Nugent and proceeded to Calcutta to officiate for Dr Thomas. 1/10/1941 On the morning of this date I resumed charge of the Office of Headmaster. The School was on holiday. Bengal Time adopted at Victoria. 3/10/1941 A nasty accident occurred today. G Davies (?) fell from a rock and injured himself, it was thought at first, severely. The boy was seen by Dr Ahmed and I called in Dr Biswas (?) (the Civil surgeon wasn’t available) to give a second opinion. The latter thought that the injuries were purely local and not serious. 4/10/1941 Davies injuries are not of a serious nature. His parents have been informed. 7/10/1941 Classes were resumed today. The Pujah holidays had xxx been extended to include Monday. 17/10/1941 Speech day. The Hon. Mr A. Fazbel Haque, Chief Minister of West Bengal, presided and spoke for some 20 minutes. 18/10/1941 Sports day one of the most successful I can remember. Xxx School records were broken. There was a large number of visitors and for the first time, tea was served on the xxx (?) 21/10/1941 The rumours of the death in Palestine of Wm Bayford who was Head Boy in 1935 and 1936 were confirmed today. 22/10/1941 Memorial Service in the Chapel for Wm Bayford who died in Palestine on October 16th, 1941. No month end holiday this month. 8/11/1941 Dow Hill School Speech Day. The whole School attended in the afternoon. Mrs Bullock (?) appointed as 3rd Matron. I am doing the Housekeeping for the time being. 10/11/1941 Death of a girl from Dow Hill School in the School Hospital. Cynthia Andrews was the sister of R. Anderson in Class IV 11/11/1941 Funeral Service in the School Chapel and burial at Kurseong. Two minute silence observed. 24/11/1941 School Examinations began today. 27/11/1941 Staff Meeting – among the subjects discussed were the duties for the Winter vacation. There seems to have been some misunderstanding among members of staff about their liability for duty. 28/11/1941 Examinations ended today.

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