The Headmaster's Diary - 1953. Victoria School - Kurseong. |
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23/01/1953 A heavy fall of hail in the morning. Extremely cold. 24/01/1953 A fall of snow in the afternoon. 14/02/1953 I took over charge from Mr Ghosh 1/03/1953 Topden and Saky returned to school. 2/03/1953 First rail party with Mr Ghosh in charge arrived in school at 1.15 pm 3/03/1953 Second rail party arrived at 1.45 pm with Mr Bloud in charge. (36 boys). The air party (28 boys) arrived at 6.15 pm. Mrs Gough, Matron of Commercial, has been unable to report dor duty due to illness. The weather continues cold although we have had the sun for short spells. We commence the term with only 6 members of the staff, English, Hindi, Art, PT, Bengali and Science. It is to be hoped the Department will send us reinforcements. 4/03/1953 Boys from the District continue to arrive. Educational Films at 5.30 pm. The projector sound equipment seems out of order. 5/03/1953 A staff meeting was held in my office. 6/03/1953 I addressed the boys in the morning after which text books and stationery was issued. 7/03/1953 David Monti Bello having swallowed an anna bit a few days back was taken for an X-ray to be taken at the Sanatorium. The X-ray showed that the anna bit was still lodged in the stomach. Educational Films at 5.30 pm. 8/03/1953 Educational Films after supper, the two reels not shown the previous day due to the lights going out, were screened. The weather throughout the week has continued bad. 10/03/1953 A medical inspection by the C.M.O. of all the boarders. 11/03/1953 Educational Films “U.S.I.S.” at 5.30 pm. A trunk call from Mrs Monti Bello, Calcutta, enquiring about her son. 12/03/1953 Monti Bello went for screening this afternoon. The screen showed the anna to be in the intestine. Shortly after his return to hospital, he passed the anna bit. 16/03/1953 Having heard that “smoking” had crept into the school once again I addressed the boys in the Assembly Hall and used the cane on a number of culprits. I have yet to deal with the culprits of classes VIII and IX. On my return to the office after addressing the boys I found a note from Mrs Green informing me that her husband was seriously ill. This was quite a shock to me as Mr Green had taken orders for the day from me at only 9 o’clock.. I immediately phoned the nurse and also asked the doctor to come up. Shortly after I had had lunch Dr Chakravarty and Sister Brukke came to inform me that Mr Green had had a stroke and would have to be removed to the Hospital in Darjeeling. I immediately booked a cabin in the Victoria Hospital and arranged for a station wagon to take him to the hospital. Shortly after having Mr Green taken to the station wagon the doctor felt that oxygen might be necessary and as I got in touch with the Sanatorium and arranged for it. On return to the station wagon the doctor found that the heart had stopped beating and so Mr Green had passed away between 2.30 and 2.45 pm. I had him moved to the hospital and my wife brought Mrs Green up to my house. I addressed the school after dinner and told them of Mr Green’s death and the arrangements for the burial. Mrs Green and the baby is staying with us for a few days till I can arrange for her to move into the quarters at the Commercial. 17/03/1953 Classes were held in the morning as usual. I held a staff meeting in my office at 9 am. Service in the Anglican Chapel at 1.30 pm. Staff and children from both schools attended. Mr Green was interred in the Kurseong cemetery at 3 pm. Some staff and the two senior classes attended. 18/03/1953 “A date with Judy” was screened at 5 pm. Dow Hill attended. 20/03/1953 A number of schools in the district have had their Cambridge results except Victoria. I have today sent a telegram to the Inspector asking for our results. 21/03/1953 Dipak Chakravarty was removed to the Victoria Hospital, Darjeeling at about 10.30 am. I have wired the father informing him of his son’s illness and removal to Darjeeling. Educational Films sent out by Burmah Shell were screened at 5 pm Dow Hill attended. During the screening there was a severe thunder-storm accompanied by hail and rain. The lights went out and it was not possible to show the last reel. As the girls had come over without proofs and umbrellas, 42 water proofs and 5 umbrellas were loaned to them. 25/03/1953 Educational Films from U.S.I.S. screened at 5.30 pm. 26/03/1953 Mr Ghosh, the 2nd officer Kurseong Sub-Division saw me in my office in connection with a complaint which had been lodged by an egg dealer who had not been given the school contract. It was proved to Mr Ghosh that the allegations made were false as according to rules the lowest tender had been accepted and the dealer chosen a tried one. 27/03/1953 I went into Darjeeling to purchase books for the school libraries. 29/03/1953 “Wizard of OZ” was screened at 5.30 pm. 2/04/1953 Cambridge detailed results received. Easter holidays commenced at 3.30 pm.
The weather continues fine. 6/04/1953 Sixteen senior school boys went on a picnic. “Great Expectations” was screened at 5.30 pm. 8/04/1953 Educational Films from Delhi screened at 5.30 pm. The weather continues fine. 9/04/1953 The school came out of quarantine today. 11/04/1953 A farewell to Rev and Mrs Solomon. Senior boys played tennis on my courts and later had tea on the lawns. The rest of the school had a High tea.. 13/04/1953 Rev and Mrs Solomon left at 3.30 pm Educational Films from Burmah Shell and British Information screened at 5 pm. 16/04/1953 Mr Das Gupta, the History Master has arrived and will take up his duties from tomorrow. The “under 15” cricket XI went over to Goethals in the afternoon and lost. Mr Hyland the Steward arrived. A new time-table came into effect. 18/14/1953 St Paul's cricket XI visited us. Our team gave a deplorable display of batting and fielding; we managed to score a mere 40 in reply to the visitors total of 126. Mr and Mrs Goddard came down to see the match from Darjeeling. The school had a full holiday. “Three Musketeers” was due for screening, but did not arrive. 19/04/1953 No communion for the Anglicans in the morning. St Joseph's, North Point played us in cricket on our flat. The result was a closer one than that of the previous day; batting first we scored 80 and in reply St Joseph's, North Point scored 85. With a little keener fielding we might have won the match. “Thuli”, chaprassi, was removed to the isolation ward of the hospital in town as she is in the advanced stages of TB of the lungs, both lungs being affected. A letter received from the Civil Surgeon Darjeeling stated that Dipak Chakravarty had had typhoid; I propose having the boys and servants inoculated as a precautionary measure. The weather continues fine and there is every likelihood of there being a water shortage if we do not have some showers. Anglican service at 5.30 pm. 21/04/1953 The “Bonds” for Mrs Watts, Housekeeper, and Mr Pradhan, acting accountant were registered in the court the afternoon. In the morning I found some boys listening to the radio rather than attending morning prayers with the result I have locked up the radio for the present. 22/04/1953 I addressed the boys on the importance of personal cleanliness and made Shumshere note the names of the boys who had to have their haircut. We are once again in quarantine, this time for chicken-pox. 23/04/1953 “The Three Musketeers” was screened at 5 pm. A slight shower of rain between 4 and 5 pm. Mr Bhattacharjee was unable to take his classes because of illness. 24/04/1953 Another stray dog was shot this morning, these have been becoming quite a nuisance. Mohd. Rahman joined school this morning. Mr Chakravarty was deputed to attend the scout camp at Siliguri. 25/04/1953 Goethals “Under 15” visited us. The match ended in a draw. 26/04/1953 No services for the Anglicans. Goethals First XI played us on our flat and we just managed to win by one run. Our cricket is certainly on the downgrade. “Sleeping Car to Trieste” screened in the evening. Mr Chakravarty returned not having been accepted. 29/04/1953 A number of boys were inoculated against typhoid. The C.M.O. is more or less positive that Mr Bhattacharjee is suffering from typhoid. Removal to the Victoria hospital was advised but Mr and Mrs Bhattacharjee were not in favour. Precautions such as adding permanganate to drinking water and adding bleaching powder to drains taken. Educational Films sent by Burmah Shell screened at 5.30 pm. 30/04/1953 The kitchen staff, teaching and domestic staff, were inoculated this evening. Mr Das Gupta was unable to take his classes today because of a cold. We are certainly feeling the effects of being under staffed. 2/05/1953 Duke, Moulik and Blake went into Darjeeling to play for the Civilian XI in the Edinburgh Shield. 3/05/1953 The cricket first XI visited Goethals, the match ending in a time draw. Evensong for the Anglicans at 5.30 pm. 4/05/1953 Communion service for the Anglicans in the early morning. House matches commenced. 7/05/1953 Mr Das Gupta once again on casual leave due to sickness. I have once again detected smoking among three boys in the senior school. I have written to the parents of R and B asking for the boys withdrawal. Drastic action taken on a few will, stamp out smoking. 8/05/1953 A number of boys received their second TAB injections. Educational Films sent by Burmah Shell screened in the evening. 9/05/1953 “Ramrod’ screened in the evening. 10/05/1953 Church services as usual. B, R and R were found by XXX in the pantry. They informed me they were asking the bearer for bread; this as they very well know is strictly out of order. I have more or less made up my mind that B and R must go. I had a long talk to R about his conduct. 11/05/1953 The remainder of the boys were inoculated this afternoon, no games in the evening. In the morning I informed Mrs Watts that the bearers were to be given strict instructions that boys on no account must enter the pantry. 12/05/1953 Mr Chakarvarty reported sick. 13/05/1953 A sunshine holiday, our first. 15/05/1953 Boxing was started in the evening. 16/05/1953 Educational Films from the Indian Information, Delhi, were screened at 5.30 pm. 17/05/1953 B was sent home this morning. The Under 15 cricket XI went to St Joseph's, North Point Darjeeling and scored a narrow victory of six runs. 18/05/1953 Mrs xxxx informed me that she was withdrawing her son at the end of the month. Previous to this, on Wednesday 13th, the class monitor informed me that xxxx had been disobedient in class and was being a general nuisance. I called the boy into my office together with a few of his class mates and finally told xxxx that he would have to behave or else we would have to send him away. This threat was given to the boy in order to improve. Mrs xxxx came into my office crying hysterically and said I was having spite on her son etc. etc. The woman is of a hysterical nature and seems to suffer from nerves. I was indeed glad that she had decided to withdraw her son as I am convinced that the boy took advantage of the fact that his mother was on the staff. 20/05/1953 Educational Films from Burmah Shell at 5.30 pm. Mr A. D’Souza, Inspector of Anglo-Indian Schools arrived in the evening. 22/05/1953 The Inspector did part of his inspection of the school. 23/05/1953 First Term examinations commenced. The Inspector held an enquiry into an anonymous letter sent into the Directorate about the working of this school. “Oliver Twist” was screened in the evening. 24/05/1953 Church services, mass for R.C’s as usual and Evensong for Anglicans. Redman for Calcutta. 25/05/1953 Holy Communion for Anglicans at 5.30 pm. A Meeting of the Governing Body at 11 am in the Victoria Library. Educational Films sent by U.S.I.S. screened at 5.30 pm. 26/05/1953 The Inspector continued his inspection of the school; the examinations routine being suspended for the day to enable him to do so. Messrs Bhattarcharjee and Das Gupta were interviewed by the Inspector in response to their request that they would like to see the Inspector. 29/05/1953 Examinations ended. A number of boys left for Darjeeling and Kurseong. Educational Films from Information Service, Government of India. 30/05/1953 First XI cricket team visited St Paul's, Darjeeling and won by six wickets. 31/05/1953 Town exeats were issued to a number of boys. Due to the projector giving trouble “Three Little Words” could not be screened in the evening. 1/06/1953 I received a report from the Forrest School about the conduct of some of the Commercial lads. I have stopped Forrest exeats for a month. The school attended a matinee show at the circus. Boys returned from their holidays. xxxx has been withdrawn. 2/06/1953 A staff meeting at 8.30 am to discuss the examination results. After the meeting I addressed the boys and read out some of the results. In the afternoon the school saw “Three Little Words”, the sound was perfect but on being taken over to Dow Hill the trouble started again and they were unable to see the film. Both schools are in need of a projector each as the constant moving about is not doing the present one any good. B ran to his parents at their boarding house but would give no reason for doing so. The parents visit seems to have upset the boys and as they were due to leave today decided to go home with them. The parents have been most unwise in withdrawing the boy. The Coronation and conquest of Everest by Hillary and Sherpa, heard over the radio. 3/06/1953 Our monsoons seem to have set in. The boys have started soccer. 5/06/1953 The Secretary for Education, Government of West Bengal and Doctor Sen Public Service Commission together with a few gentlemen visited the school from 11.45 am to 12.30 pm. Mr Chakravarty left for the scout camp Malda. 6/06/1953 “Tarzan Escapes” was screened; Dow Hill attended as we are both in quarantine for chicken-pox. The projector is still giving trouble. I had an interview with His Excellency, The Governor at 6.15 pm. Some of the senior boys listened into the commentary on the Derby. Holy Communion in the Anglican chapel. 7/06/1953 I attended a tea party at His Excellencies camp in Kurseong. Mr M the new xxxx school master has arrived. 8/06/1953 Mr M reported for duty. I advised that Mr M that in his own interest and the interest of the school it would be best if he dressed in a suit as did all the other male members of the staff. Mr M has no objection to wearing a suit and I think that he might eventually come into line with rest of the staff with respect to dress. I later spoke to Mr Bhattarcharjee and asked him to advise Mr M. 9/06/1953 A new timetable, our third, came into force today. 10/06/1953 Educational Films from Burmah Shell were screened. 13/06/1953 Educational Films from U.S.I.S. were screened. 14/06/1953 Sunday services for the Anglicans, both morning and evening. 15/06/1953 It has been brought to my interest that Mr xxxx has been slapping some of the boys in Std IV. I am making enquiries. 16/06/1953 Mr M wrote to me informing me that he had decided to teach in a suit and had ordered some locally. Mr Das Gupta once again took a days casual leave. As Mr Chakravarty had not yet returned and as Mr Das Gupta was away on leave, I decided to let the boys have a holiday after the first period. 19/06/1953 Mr Chakravarty reported back to duty after having attended the Scout Masters Training camp at Mulda. 20/06/1953 The first reel of “Mandy” was screened at 5.30 pm. The projector once again gave trouble. It is essential that we get a new projector. 21/06/1953 Boys visited their relations in Dow Hill at 4 pm. Evensong at 5.30 pm. I was hoping to screen “Mandy” after evensong but the projector did not arrive in time. A gusty evening with rain all night. 22/06/1953 A very wet morning – a sign of our monsoons being in full force. Holy Communion at 7 am. 23/06/1953 An attempt was made to screen “Mandy” in the evening but the new projector did not work satisfactorily. 23/06/1953 “Mandy” was shown finally at 1 pm. News came through from the S.D.O’s office that Doctor Syama Prasad Mookerjee had died and that Government offices were to close immediately. I closed the office and had the National Flag flown at half mast. All organised routine was suspended for the evening. 24/06/1953 Classes closed at 2 pm as a mark of respect to the memory of Doctor Mookerjee. I discussed the non-beef eating diet with the C.M.O. and he seemed satisfied with the supplements made with regards to animal proteins. The school played their first soccer match against Goethals first XI and surprisingly won 5 – 1. It has continued to rain and we seem to be having weather which is more in keeping with Kurseong. 27/06/1953 “Joan of Arc” was screened at 5.30 pm. The new projector seems to have run itself in as the sound was good. 28/06/1953 Catholic service held as usual. The Anglicans had Holy Communion and Evensong. 29/06/1953 Educational Films by U.S.I.S. screened at 5.45 pm. 30/06/1953 The school officer remained closed. Educational Films by Government of India at 5.45 pm. 1/07/1953 The Prefects asked for a sunshine holiday which I refused. Mr M attended classes in a suit. Mr B is leaving for Calcutta to attend an interview on the sixth. I have written to the Inspector asking if eight days or more from school is permissible for an interview which will last only one day. Mr has already had a bit of sick leave and now he wants a further ten days. The xxxx in the school will accordingly suffer. 4/07/1953 The film did not arrive so I held a “Quiz” from 5.30 – 7 pm. 5/07/1953 No services for the Anglican boys. Educational Films from the British Service were screened at 5.30 pm. Dow Hill Senior school attended. The weather has been miserable. 7/07/1953 The evening cleared up nicely. Tomorrow promises to be a fine day but one can never tell. 8/07/1953 The sun was out this morning so after addressing the boys about their personal cleanliness and the cleanliness of the classrooms, dormitories and school in general, I declared a Sunshine holiday. Due to rain classes were held in the afternoon. Mr Mukherjee was once again sick. 9/07/1953 Topden and Kelly went to the dentist in Darjeeling; Parry and Shumshere accompanied them to see Dr Barnes about their eyes. Messrs Mukherjee and Das Gupta did not attend school today. This has meant a shortage of three members of the teaching staff. I have spent the day taking some of the classes in addition to my own periods of teaching and office work. Confirmation class at 5 pm. 10/07/1953 Mr Mukherjee is still on leave. Messrs Young and Sanyal came to see me how the scout troop was progressing. 11/07/1953 Educational Films from Burmah Shell screened at 5 pm to which Dow Hill seniors school came. Mr Mukherjee returned to work today. 12/07/1953 Morning and evening services for Anglicans. 13/07/1953 Mr Bhattercharjee returned to duty. Mr Ray was absent, having sent a telegram from Siliguri to say that he had been delayed. 14/07/1953 Mr Ray reported for duty this morning. 15/07/1953 Educational Films from Government of India screened at 5 pm. 17/07/1953 A Standing Committee Meeting was arranged for 4 pm. At 4.15 I phoned Mr Chaudhuri, D.F.O. and was informed that he was ill. I then phoned the S.D.O. and was told by him that he had forgotten about the meeting and being very busy at the moment was unable to come up. This has resulted in a delay in selecting a steward from the applications received, also the appointment of a music master. 18/07/1953 Mr Das Gupta has now been called down to Calcutta and so left today. St Paul's juniors and first XI came down to play us. The junior match was played in rain and resulted in a draw of 1 – 1. The rain held off for the seniors match and the result was 2 – 2 after we had led 2 – 0 in the first half. Due to the match ending late the film “Caesar and Cleopatra” was screened at 6 pm. I was later informed that the sound was very poor. 19/07/1953 I had the film “Caesar and Cleopatra” screened at 1 pm, the sound was quite good due to the increased voltage. 20/07/1953 Holy Communion for the Anglicans at 7 am. The electricians from the Hydro Electric Co. came to step up the voltage on our complaint to them. Mr Bloud reported that when making his rounds on Saturday night, W. J. used abusive language in the dormitory. On questioning W he informed me that he was not aware of what he had done. After making further enquiries I made W make a public apology in the presence ‘C’ & ‘D’ dormitories, to Mr Bloud, in addition he is no longer a Prefect. 21/07/1953 In the afternoon while working around the classrooms I found Std IV making quite a noise in Mr xxxx's period. I spoke to Mr xxxx at the end of the period and later spoke with the class. Educational Films at 5 pm film supplied by U.S.I.S. Previous to this their had been a scout meeting from 3.45 – 4.45 pm. 22/07/1953 I once again had to speak to Mr xxxx about the supervision of his class. A very wet day, that cleared up in the evening for the match against St Joseph's, North Point which we won by 6 – 3. 24/07/1953 Moulik reported four boys for making a noise in study and so disturbing him. I asked if Mr xxxx, the Master on Duty, was present and he informed me that he was. It is rather distressing to be informed by boys that they are unable to concentrate on their work due to the lack of discipline in the study hall. I immediately called a meeting of those members of staff who do duty and informed them that stricter discipline in the dining hall and study hall was essential. We played Goethals and won 2 – 0. 25/07/1953 Ten boys were brought into my office by the Prefects. These boys had raided the servants bhutta fields while the match was in progress the previous evening. During the break I caned the ten boys in front of the school and addressed the school on the general behaviour. A fine was levied on the ten boys and compensation made to the two servants whose fields were raided. A very wet day. 26/07/1953 Another miserably wet day. No services for the Anglican boys. In the evening I organised a whist drive for classes 7, 8 and 9 and a table tennis and carom tournament for classes 4, 5 and 6. 29/07/1953 Mr xxxx expressing an inability to take classes. 30/07/1953 Mr xxxx absent from classes. He has now had seven days leave in less that two months service. 1/08/1953 A holiday. The soccer XI visited St Paul's and drew 0 – 0. 2/08/1953 Evensong at 5 pm. 3/08/1953 Holy Communion for the Anglicans at 7 am. Hockey season commenced. 4/08/1953 Mr xxxx reported for work. 5/08/1953 Educational Films at 5 pm. 7/08/1953 “Cinderella” was screened at 5 pm 8/08/1953 “Song of the Thin Man” was screened. 9/08/1953 Service for Anglicans in the morning and evening. 10/08/1953 I notified the school of my departure for Calcutta. Mrs King signed off. 15/08/1953 “Independence Day”. Mass for the RC boys at 7.30 am. I addressed the school at 9.15 am; the staff was conspicuous by their absence. This is a clear indication of the lack of interest taken by the staff in the cooperative life of the school. Being a National day it was their duty to have attended. With such lack of enthusiasm it is impossible for any headmaster to create a feeling of national pride among the boys of the school. If the school is to survive the staff must take an interest in the life of the school; this cooperation is lacking amongst the present members. The junior school attended a Pagal Gymkhana at Dow Hill at 3 pm. A social for the two schools was held at Victoria from 6 pm – 8.45 pm. 16/08/1953 “Excuse my dust” was screened at 5 pm. 17/08/1953 Communion for Anglicans at 7 am. Mr xxxx once again absented himself from morning prep; he was also late for the morning paper at which he was one of the invigilators; his excuse was that his stomach was once again giving him trouble. Mrs Ghosh took over her duties as 3rd Std Mistress. I found there had been a change in the invigilation duties and so sent an order around that the Headmaster should be notified of any changes in future. 18/08/1953 Std IV went over to play Dow Hill in hockey and lost 4 – 1. 19/08/1953 The weather for the last few days has been fine but the rains came back with full force this evening at 6.40. 21/08/1953 A long weekend commenced after the examinations. The top three classes went to a film in town, the rest of the school saw Educational Films from the Government of India Information Service. 22/08/1953 “Chu Chin Chow” was screened at 5.30 pm. Five boys went to see the dentist and Optician. 25/08/1953 A staff meeting in the morning to discuss the examination results. I pointed out the necessity of the staff starting various clubs and societies in the school if the boys are to be properly directed in their out of class activities. It was remarked by Mr Mukherjee that some of the boys had formed themselves into gangs and were not applying themselves in class. It was in this connection that I stressed the importance of the staff playing an important part in the extra curricula activities of a school such as this, a residential school. Unfortunately the response has been very poor, in fact not a member has come forward with any suggestions. The contact between staff and boys which has been a feature of this school is dying fast. 28/08/1953 The boys asked for a Sunshine holiday because of their long weekend having been a wet one. The holiday was granted. 31/08/1953 Das and Clarke gave a conjuring show in the evening, a show which was certainly very good for these young amateurs. The house matches in hockey commenced. 5/09/1953 St Paul's hockey XI visited us. The first half of the match was played in good weather but it was not long before the ground was flooded and the good hockey became impossible. The match resulted in a draw of 1 -1. “Kim” was screened in the evening but the sound was not good. 6/09/1953 Evensong for the Anglicans. Another thundershower in the evening. 7/09/1953 In view of my pending departure from Victoria School after nearly 11 years service, the school gave me a farewell which took the form of a social. It was a most enjoyable function, but for me a sad one. Note: On September 5th I had occasion to call Mr xxxx into my office in the presence of Messrs Bloud and Bhattacharjee. It had been brought to my notice that Mr xxxx had been telling members of the staff that my departure from Victoria had been brought about by his complaints to the Department. Mr xxxx flatly denied been the originator of such rumours. I, however, made it clear that such malicious rumours could in no way harm me, but on the other hand, could do incalculable harm to the school.
[And that, is the final entry in the Victoria School, Kurseong, Headmaster's Diarys.] [It is a great pity that they ceased to be written. Editor]
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