Native School — Mangamaunu — Kaikoura — 29th June 1897
Mangamaunu
Kaikoura
29th June 1897.
The Secretary for Education
Sir
* Barcroft Boake's posthumous collection Where the Dead Men Lie was published by Angus and Robertson later in 1897.
† Five of John Arthur Barry's stories appeared in Chambers's Journal between 19 June 1897 and 30 April 1898.
The only stock missing from the school, as far as I could judge was stationery. I have no blotting paper nor Contingency Voucher forms in stock. Kindly forward a supply of blotting paper at your earliest convenience.
The low average attendance, compared with the roll, is due to sickness and the whaling season. The mother of four of the children, who brought them from the whaling station to attend School, had to return to attend to her husband who is sick there, and was obliged to take the children with her. The attendance of three of the Europeans depends on the state of the river crossing
The children bring what firewood they can, but, as they are poorly clothed for the most part, and get wet and invariably lose time when they go for wood, and as the men are away and there is no convenience for carting in the pa. I might be permitted to order a load of firewood for the school to last the winter.
Yours respectfully
Henry Lawson Teacher.
The late teacher left a good garden here to be kept for his successor; but it was totally destroyed by the sheep. I would be glad of a pamphlet on kitchen gardening, suitable for this district. The Maoris here express great sorrow at Mr Steel's death and sympathy for Mrs Steel. Would be glad of her address so that we might forward some token of sympathy.H. L.