School News
19th Century News
Newspaper articles that offer insights into life in Bothwell during the 1800s.
Sources Used: TROVE. https://trove.nla.gov.au; FamilySearch: Australia, Tasmania, Government Gazette, 1833-1925. https://www.familysearch.org.
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On Thursday last, being New Year's Day, a Ball and Supper was given in the new School House at Bothwell, by the Bachelors of that district, at which there were present upwards of 60 ladies and gentlemen of respectability. How truly gratifying it is to every well-wisher of the Colony to witness these innocent and refined amusements extending even to the most distant parts of the country. We recollect when the spot on which the township stands was but a barren waste. We are assured that the assemblage of beauty and elegance on this occasion was much superior to what, only a few years ago, the whole Colony could have produced; and that the Ball and Supper, and general accommodation was provided with a taste which would not have disgraced our native country. When young men devote their attention in procuring these innocent recreations for the gratification of the fairer sex, it evinces a commendatory feeling, and inimical to that boisterous hilarity which too commonly attends the society of young men in the early stage of life.
A schoolhouse was recently erected at the joint expense of the inhabitants and the government, for £600, at which 55 children attend, the master being one of the trained schoolmasters sent out from home.
The Public School building is nearly completed; one room will be 30 x 20 feet, another is appropriated to the girls, who are to be industrially taught, and a third room to be the Public Library, on the table of which will be found magazines and newspapers, contributed by the Townspeople, and 500 volumes of select works on its shelves. The present schoolmaster is indefatigable, and his labours are duly appreciated by the parents, and the Visiting Magistrates of the District. A bazaar to be held on nomination day, in aid of the funds of the school, and the Ladies of the District are all zealously working for the purpose, and in the evening a grand exhibition of magic lanterns is to be made.
The new school in the village was opened in due form on Tuesday, by the Inspector of Schools, Major Cotton. The weather was unpropitious, the rain coming down most handsomely, on account of which no ladies were present. We observed in the room the Reverend Messrs Hesketh and Robertson, Messrs Frederick Synnot and Frederick Evans Teush, J.P., Mr Hugh Hull the A.P.M., and Mr Alexander Reid of Ratho. After a prayer from the Rev. John Robertson the Inspector, in a short and feeling address mentioned, that the School House had been erected at an expense of nearly a thousand pounds, of which, more than a third had been contributed by the liberality of the towns people and others residing in the neighbourhood, and by which, not only the noble School Room had been secured, but another room for the industrial education of the girls, two large play grounds, and a six-roomed residence and garden for the esteemed Master, Mr Park, whose exertions, he trusted, would be appreciated by the parents in the village. Many of the usually attending children, of whom there were 82 on the books, could not come to School in consequence of the mud and wet and the distance they had to walk, but there were, nevertheless, present 27 girls and 30 boys, who were carefully examined in arithmetic, geography, grammar, and spelling, and the Major presented several prizes to the most intelligent children. Mr Hesketh shortly addressed the children on the advantages to be derived from education, and the necessity of their being attentive and punctual, and the meeting broke up with a blessing from the Reverend gentleman. It may be mentioned that a room in connection with the school has been appropriated to the Bothwell public library and reading room, for which nearly a thousand volumes are now collected together, and which it is proposed to throw open to the public on post days, viz., Wednesday and Saturday each week, where the daily newspapers and magazines, in addition to the higher class of books, will be available to the inhabitants of "the Model Village."
A very interesting occurrence took place in the public school-room here on Saturday last. It appears that Mr John Brown Park, the public teacher, whose connection with the Board of Education ceases at the end of the year, he having sent in his resignation some time back, owing to dissatisfaction with the government, at its having reduced his salary, and who has been fortunate enough to obtain a better appointment at Dunedin, New Zealand, had determined, in conjunction, with Mrs Park, of course, to invite all the children to a "tea meeting", and there and then, as it would be the last occasion on which the present teachers and scholars would respectively meet as such, to take farewell of each other. The consequence was, that about seventy or eighty teachers assembled in the afternoon of Saturday aforesaid, all dressed in their "Sunday best," to partake of the good things their kind entertainers had provided for them, after which, one and all of the children came forward by turns, and were taken by the hand by their worthy teacher, and bade farewell. In the evening, they all assembled again in the schoolroom to witness the exhibition of a magic lantern, which Mr Park had promised them, and which caused them great amusement. Several of the inhabitants were present, and seemed much pleased, the views being very interesting. Many of the children have shown their appreciation of Mr and Mrs Park's indefatigable exertions for their improvement, and the humane rule that has been exercised over them, by presenting their teachers with various little offerings, such as pin-cushions for the toilet, watch-guards, &c., &c., worked by their own hands. One present, consisting of a handsome dressing case, value about £3, purchased by subscriptions raised amongst some of the scholars, was handed to Mr Park on this occasion. Circumstances of this kind speak for themselves, and require no comment. There is no doubt, however, that Mr and Mrs Park well deserve the children's gratitude; for this much everyone will concede to them, that the attention paid by them has been unremitting, neither of them having been absent from their duties a day or an hour during the period of six years they have hold the appointment here; and no one competent to form an opinion could be unobservant of the pains that were taken, and the excellent mode that was adopted in imparting the necessary knowledge required, and the orderly way in which the business of teaching was conducted.
An examination of scholars took place in the presence of the friends of education in the district, conducted principally by the Rev. A. Wayn, one of the special visitors. The children acquitted themselves well and reflected credit upon Mr and Mrs Biggs, the teachers. The general distribution of prizes was unavoidably postponed, but some special prizes were presented - two very handsomely bound books kindly given by Mrs Gore Browne on her late visit to the township, one of which was to go to the girls for the best needlework and the other to the boys for the best dictation. The former was awarded by the ladies who kindly acted as judges to Catherine Andrews. Some little difficulty occurred in the disposal of the other prize, as three of the boys, namely Charles Gossage and E. Hinchey (5th class), and G. Swindell (4th class), were considered equally proficient. The matter was referred to Mr Inspector Stephens, who adjudged the book to C. Gossage after a second competition. Mr Stephens, however, presented a prize to G. Swindell. The first prize of the school, for the total number of marks made during the year, including general and examination marks, was awarded to Sarah Hughes, aged 12 years, and consisted of a lantern and slides. In the evening, a concert took place in the school room to raise funds for school rewards, a very good idea, and very successful. Mr Biggs intends to establish it as an annual affair.
Bothwell, 11th December, 1876. Mr Henry C. Hurst, Public School, Bothwell.
Dear Sir, We, the undersigned residents in the District of Bothwell, having heard of your intended departure from amongst us, cannot allow you to leave without expressing our deep sense of the valuable services rendered by you and your wife, in the cause of Education, as Master and Mistress of the Public School in this town. Those among us who are parents, and who, as such have sent our children to your school, can bear testimony, not only to the progress which they have made under your instruction, but also to the great respect which they entertain towards you as their teacher, thereby proving to us in a manner more expressive than words, that it has been your aim and endeavour to impart a high tone to your school, as well as to attend to the moral culture of your pupils. We cannot omit to mention, moreover, your kind willingness, in times of sickness, to alleviate the sufferings of those around you, a Christian duty which we all appreciate, and for which we thank you very heartily. Your kind manner and consistent walk in life have won from all of us very great respect. In bidding you farewell, we earnestly hope that you may be happy in your new sphere of labour; that your usefulness as a teacher of youth may be extended and appreciated and that every blessing may be vouchsafed to you and your family. We beg to subscribe ourselves, Your faithful friends and well wishers, John Chambers, Incumbent of Parish of Bothwell; Joseph Black, M.A., Member of Local School Board; George W. Ife, Member of Local School Board; Nathaniel P. Allison, Warden; Thomas Perkins, Superintendent of Police; Archibald McDowall, J.P., John Ibbott, William Nicholas, Simon Arnett, John White, Henry Hurley, Richard Allen, William North, Humphrey T. Savage, William Maskell, James Taylor for Alexander Reid, William W. Hughes, Jemima B. Evans, Jane Williams, Edward Bowden, Edward Bumford, Isaac Blake, William Bale, John Hale, John Bumford, William Sessions, Zacharias Smith, Henry F. Nichols, Richard Allen Snr, Charles A. Nichols, Arthur Allen, Mary A. Jackman, Peter Davie, James Williams, Thomas Lewis, John Smith, Richard Shepperd, Edward Swindells, W. H. Jones, James Dalwood, Annie Jones, Matthew Branch, Sarah Ainsworth, John Timmins, Elizabeth Colbeck, David Norton, Mary Willby, Mary Miller, Henry Craig, Joseph Hinchy, Rampling John Bale, A. Bourne, Rose Bale, A. W. Bourne, Frederick Synnot, Matthew Robinson.
REPLY. Bothwell, 11th December, 1879.
My Dear Friends, I need scarcely say that the receipt of your very kind address on the eve of our departure from Bothwell has been the cause of the greatest gratification to my wife and myself. The duties of a teacher are necessarily arduous, and sometimes discouraging and it is very pleasant to find that our exertions to promote the welfare of your children have met with such kindly recognition. You have also been pleased to allude in terms of approbation to my willingness to lend a helping hand in times of sickness. I can truly say that what little I have been enabled to do in that respect since my short sojourn among you, has been to me a source of unfeigned pleasure. Now that the connection between us is about to be severed, allow us to say that we shall leave Bothwell with regret. The many acts of kindness conferred upon us by the warm-hearted people of this place will live in our memories for a long time to come. In thanking you very heartily on behalf of my wife and children for your good wishes for our future welfare, I desire to express the hope that on yourselves and on your families kind Heaven may shower its richest blessings, and to remain. Ever your very sincere friend, Henry C. Hurst.
On the 13th of September, at the Bothwell Police Office, D. T. Moore, truant inspector under the Board of Education, charged Matthew Branch, Job Geard, and Eliza Sheen with neglecting to send their children to school. The Bench considered the cases proved, and ordered that the children be sent to school forthwith, costs being remitted.
The annual distribution of the Bothwell Public School prizes took place on Friday, the 19th inst.., in the presence of a large number of the parents of the children and well-wishers. The Rev. A. Beresford, chairman of the local board, presided. The proceedings were opened by some collective singing by the children, 100 being present, accompanied on the piano by Miss S. Hughes, and the manner in which they acquitted themselves reflected much credit upon that lady. The chairman then read his report of the examination in Scripture history; and presented the prizes, which he yearly awards to the successful scholars in that subject. He also read a letter addressed to the conductor, Mr J. F. Johnston, B.A., T.C.D., from the Hon. N. J. Brown, Minister of Lands, and member for the district, who generously gave special prizes, expressing his regret that he was unable to personally present them, and giving assurance to the children that he felt a warm interest in their progress and welfare, and hoped that before next Christmas their studies would be carried on in a more commodious and suitable building. Mr Johnston also received a letter from the Warden, Mr A. McDowall, a letter saying he was unavoidably prevented from attending, and conveying his best wishes and congratulations to the prize-winners. The absence of Mr McDowall was regretted, as he takes a great interest in the school, and annually gives a handsome donation for prizes, besides having recently erected a double swing in the girls' playground which a dozen can enjoy themselves at a time. Specimens of the girls' needlework, which were exhibited, attracted a good deal of attention from the ladies present, the mistress, Mrs Johnston, bestowing great pains upon this most important and useful subject of a girl's education. The prizes were then presented to the winners by Mrs McDougall, who had no light duty to perform, as owing to the liberality of the Warden, Mr Manderville, the Hon. N. J. Brown, Mr Williams, Mr Reid, herself, and other friends, nearly every child was presented with a token of encouragement. Mr Johnston then gave a most satisfactory report of the state of the school and the work performed during the year, and heartily thanked all friends for the kind assistance and encouragement given, and expressed the hope that as the new school would soon be an accomplished fact, the attendance would be largely increased. The chairman then gave the children some sound practical advice in his usual happy manner. After some more singing the proceedings were then concluded by adjourning to the playground, where lusty cheers were given for the Hon. N. Brown, the donors of prizes, and the teachers. This terminated one of the most successful and pleasant breakings-up of the season. The following is the prize list:
Special Prizes - Rev. A. Beresford, Scripture history, C. Bowden, F. Hughes, R. Branch, Lucy Blake, Emily Maskell, Ethel
Savage. The Hon. N. J. Brown, attendance: Frank Hughes, 229½ days out of a possible 230; Lucy Branch, 223. Good conduct: Cecil Bowden, Lucy Branch. M. Mandeville. Writing (judged by donor): Letitia Johnston (girls), Arthur Sims (boys). Mrs Williams, reading (presented by donor): Letitia Johnston (girls), A. Perkins (boys). Mrs McDowall and Mrs Williams, sewing: E. Branch, A. Denholm, M. Smith, E. Maskell, Annie Woods.
School Prizes - the gift of the Warden, Mr A. McDowall: Class 7 - Home lessons: C. Bowden. Arithmetic: W. Stuart. Geography: J. Timmins. Mapping: A. Perkins. Class 5 - Home lessons: J. Stewart. English history: C. Allen. Geography: E. Sims. Reading: A. Ainsworth. Arithmetic: R. Johnston. Mapping: F. Hughes. Class 4 - Arithmetic: Lucy Blake. Reading: Lydia Hales. Home lessons: Emily Maskell. Writing: A. Hale. Special for great Improvement: W. Crockett. Writing: Annie Woods. Grammar: Ellen Branch. Class 3 - Arithmetic: C. Hornsey. Writing: Douglas McDowall. Reading: Ethel Savage. General improvement: G. Denholm, Caroline Watson, A. Blake, A. Swindells. Class 2 - Attendance: E. Nicholls. Arithmetic: A. Branch, Reading: G. Horne. Writing: T. Timmins. Second Reading: Percy Edwards. General improvement: R. Branch, Kate Ball, Ada Bailey, Leslie Blake, Lewis Wylie, Arthur Ryan, B. Shaw, George Tarr, Rose Bale. Class 1 - Good conduct: Edward Lewis, Sarah Smith, and about 20 others awarded in this class.
The following notices are published in today's Gazette. Tenders have been accepted as follows:- Erection of State school, Bothwell, M. J. Flanagan, £839.
We have two new State school teachers in the persons of Mr and Mrs Miller, who, I am told, came from the Sorell district, where they gave great satisfaction as teachers at the State school at Kellevie, and I have no doubt they will do so here. Miss Hughes, who has been assistant teacher in the Bothwell State school for many years, and I may add that for a long time past the greater part of the duties of the school have devolved upon her, has been promoted to the charge of the State school at the Old Beach, a promotion she well deserves, and I am sure the parents of the children attending her school will very soon recognise her presence as a great loss to the district, particularly in a scholastic point of view. She is possessed of good teaching abilities, plenty of energy, and a pleasant manner of discharging her duties in the school. Such qualifications when combined, cannot fail to give satisfaction both to parents and scholars.
Mr Flanagan, the contractor for building the new State school at Bothwell, is getting on very fairly with the work, and hopes to get it completed by the end of the year. We are also to have a new residence built for the schoolmaster, but I have not yet heard who the contractors are. I have seen the plans of the buildings, and I may say, if built according to the plans, it will be a very pretty and convenient residence, and also an ornament to the township, and which is another proof, added to the many, that the Hon. N. J. Brown, our member, has not forgotten our interests.
On Friday, December 17, the scholars assembled to receive prizes awarded for their past year's work. Six of them had never missed school, and two more only fell one half day short. The needlework was very creditable, and the specimens of writing quite worth sending to the forthcoming exhibition. Many pretty prizes were distributed, mostly the gifts of Mr and Mrs B. L. Miller, for the encouragement of their pupils. Six handsome volumes were presented by Mrs Triffett, three being given in memory of the late Mrs W. Bowden. The cheery humour of the Rev. Mr Doctor, who has been indisposed for some months, was much missed. In the afternoon Mr and Mrs Miller gave a picnic on Rothamay to their scholars, many friends being also present. All enjoyed themselves.