LYNDON LELIEVRE
Schoolmaster Craigflower
March 1870 – March 1875
Lyndon LeLievre
The period of 1869-1870 was one of transition for colonial schools. Although the School Act of 1869 had established local school boards the extent of their power and fiscal control was unclear. Moreover, expenditures for education were not a priority for a government recovering from a major economic recession. Historically, at Craigflower that period under Harrison's tutelage (1866-69) was one of a 'dark age'; moreover, between his resignation in August, 1869, and the hiring of LeLievre in March, 1870, there existed a gap for which nothing has been revealed regarding the functioning of the schoolhouse. Reports that John Jessop was the schoolmaster at Craigflower during that time are unsubstantiated. However, present research now indicates that William Fisher, a local resident and member of the newly established Craigflower school board, served as school master during the latter half of 1869 and probably into the spring of 1870. The following letter by Fisher makes apparent his position and the difficulties encountered by the board in attracting a teacher to Craigflower in 1869:
Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 7th instant ... on receipt of notice from executive Council 25th June defining the several School Districts of the Colony & the Common School ordinance of 1869 - several meetings were held in the town of Esquimalt and at Craigflower for the election of a Local Board. Application was afterwards made to the Gov. in Council for the grant of $500 per annum for the Craigflower School in which the name of Mrs. Lizzie Young was sumitted as Teacher. On the faith of this grant and the promise that $125 would be handed over to the Board on the 30th September the school was opened and sufficient time allowed to Mrs. Young for making the necessary preparations; meanwhile certain repairs and alterations of the building were being proceeded with but Mrs. Young never appeared.
When it was understood that she required a letter from the Board guaranteeing the payment of her salary they immediately wrote to her with a guarantee of ... $125 quarterly allowing her another week for preparation.
When she was expected to enter the school Mr. Young only appeared; and after making many objections to the state of the building and finding that the Board was neither prepared to take Craigflower House - late the residence of Mr. McKenzie - for the accommodation of his family - nor to alter their arrangements, he intimated that Mrs. Young would not accept the situation but promised to send in her written ultimatum the following day.
The Board met on Monday the 30th August but as nothing further had been heard either from Mr. or Mrs. Young action was deferred until Wed. Sept. 1 when they again met and resolved to appoint another teacher.
On the following day a letter was received from Mrs. Young informing the Board that "as the House was neither safe nor habitable she could not come to the Craigflower School until it was thoroughly repaired and some arrangement made for a residence."
After this letter was received ... and considered by the Board, Mrs. Young was informed that her services would not be required; and in the meantime the duties of Teacher are being performed by the writer - subject to the approval of the Governor.
On the 18th Sept. a letter was received from Mrs. Young claiming $125 - a quarter's salary as guaranteed to Mrs. Young in letter of August 23.
Since then a letter has been received from Mr. Wm. Harrison, a former teacher, claiming a month's salary to Sept. 30 and $55 in arrears to June 30th - before existence of the Board. He however appears to have resigned in May last and the inhabitants of Craigflower contributed a fund with an understanding that the money would be returned in the event of his receiving anything from the Government. But as they had no wish to retain his services they do not consider that he can have any claim upon the existing Board. Nevertheless the Board has agreed to make him a liberal allowance for Firewood & c. remaining on the premises for which he appeared to have only a very questionable claim.
The school which had only 6 pupils when it closed July 6th opened with 13 the first week in September. It now numbers 26 in regular attendance & is daily increasing.
We have the honour
& etc.
William Fisher Sr[?]1
To date, nothing further has been revealed regarding Fisher, However, following Mrs. Young's refusal to teach at a school which she considered neither "safe nor habitable", the local board appealed to E.G. Alston, superintendent of schools for support in requesting financial assistance.
Sir:
I beg to address you in reference to the District school house at Craigflower which stands greatly in need of repairs as the foundation is giving way & I fear unless it be attended to before the winter sets in it will become unsafe.
We have during the past 3 months expended $51 which money was collected in the District and have even [now?] on hand $25.00 in cash. The building is a commodious one and well adapted for the purpose & If repaired now would last for years. We require the sum of $75.00... for that purpose in addition to what we have on hand. This would enable the [new] ? board new under pinings (?) which is necessary as the blocks are all giving way and to repair the buildings generally. Under these circumstances I beg respectfully to apply to you for assistance and trust you will aid in the matter and that the Gov't will aid us to the extent required. The school has now 35 scholars; at foot is an account of items on which we expended the money collected.
CB Brown
Chairman
$19 - Repairing & putting up fences
20 Desks & Seats
12 Cedar Posts
51
25 Cash in hand
76 - Total amount collected in district2
The request was subsequently approved by Council following Alston's approving comment "...the school is a very good one."
In the spring of 1870 the Craigflower board received an application for the position of teacher from Lyndon LeLievre.
March 16, 1870
Gentlemen,
I beg to apply for the situation of teacher at your District School.
I have had experience in teaching at home and in this colony, I enclose copies of testimonials.
Being a married man with a family, Mrs. LeLievre would be of great assistance in taking charge of the juniors, enabling me to devote more time to the senior boys.
My references are Dr. Helmcken and David Leneven [?] Esq.
I am Gentlemen
Your Obedient Servant
Lyndon LeLievre3
It is not presently known whether LeLievre was one of a number applying; his credentials are impressive and although he was not to live up to their expectations, it is understandable why the board would desire the appointment.
March 22, 1870
Sir:
...on behalf on inhabitants of Craigflower School District ...to grant payment of Government allowance to above school.
Also to sanction the enclosed by-law passed...at a public meeting ..in school room on 14th instant.
The number of children in the district is 46 between ages of 5 & 18. The number likely to attend shcool from 35-40.
We propose to appoint a school teacher at a salary of $600 per annum whose applications & testimonial we enclose.
The means proposed to raise the above sum is at follows:
Gov't grant $480
Poll tax on 60 inhabitants - $120
- $600
Voluntary subscription for repairs of school house $50.00
CB Brown, Chairman
A. Peatt
Henry Cogan4
Prior to leaving England LeLievre, had taught on the Isle of Jersey. At the age of 32 he and his wife, Annie had immigrated to the west coast in 1862, originally residing in New Westminster where two of their seven children were born.5 By 1869, LeLievre had moved to Victoria where he taught briefly at the Collegiate School under Frank Gribbell.6
LeLievre than attempted to establish his own academy in the autumn of 1869; in view of his application to Craigflower in March, 1870, this enterprise was short-lived:
Commercial & French Academy Mr. LeLievre will open his academy on Monday the 4th Oct. A thorough Course of tuition in reading, writing arithmetic, grammer, geography history & book-keeping, is guaranteed. A French class for adults on Tuesday & Friday evenings, Commercial class on Mondays, Wed. & Friday will be instructed. Children from 4 to 7 years will be, under the immediate superintendence of Mrs. LeLievre.7
LeLievre's tutelage at Craigflower was unsatisfactory to most and by the spring of 1872, parents petitioned the school board for a replacement:
We the undersigned Heads, of Families residing in Craigflower school district, beg respectfully to request your honorable Board, to give us a change of School Teacher. The present incumbent, having proved himself to very [illegible] so that for the past two years, our children have in a measure, received no eduction whatever. We therefore humbly request you will consider the matter and relieve us a very negligent, and unworthy School Teacher.
Robert Anderson
send 5 children
William Hillier
James Dunn
Henry Cogan
Matthias Rowland
H. Peatt8
However LeLievre was not replaced at this time. With the creation of a provincial government in 1872 and the establishment of a department of education the long awaited repairs on Craigflower school were finally undertaken. The newly appointed superintendent, John Jessop, expressed hope that the classroom situation would improve with the new renovations. However, by 1874, in his third annual report Jessop conceded that LeLievre should be placed:
Craigflower:
My hope of improvement on this school - one of the most important in the Province outside of the cities and towns - have not I am sorry to say been realized. The same want of attention to Schoolwork, carelessness with regard to the condition of the school house and its surroundings, negligence of personal appearance and other habits incompatible with the proper discharge of his duties still characterize the teacher Lyndon LeLievre. He has been holding the teachership in violation of the School Act since July 1873 having declined to undergo an examination for two consecutive years. The education interests of the children have been and are still being sacrificed to a desire, on the part of a few, to keep him in the school. A change in the teachership is absolutely necessary; and the sooner it takes place the better for all concerned.9
LeLievre was subsequently dismissed and replaced by George Pottinger, April 1875. The B.C. Directory 1877-78 lists Lyndon LeLievre as a clerk, Pembroke Street. LeLievre died in 1881 at the age of 52 "after a long a painful illness".10 One can only speculate whether some of the earlier charges of inefficiency and negligence were due to illness. LeLievre's wife died 4 Feb. 20, 1889 at the age of fifty-six.11
Endnotes:
1. Wm. Fisher to Colonial Secretary, October 15, 1869, Colonial Correspondence, F565/12, PABC
2. C.B. Brown, Chairman, Criagflower School Board to E.G. Alston, Sept. 19, 1870, Colonial Correspondence, F 209/1. PABC.
3. LeLievre to Craigflower School Board, March 16, 1870, Colonial Correspondence, F 209/1 PABC. See Appendix I for LeLievre's testimonials
4. C.B. Brown et al to Anthony Musgrave, Governor, March 22, 1870 Colonial Correspondence, F 209/1, PABC 2.
5. Colonist, Jan. 20, 1865, p.3; also Jan. 25, 1867, p.3
6. F. B. Gribbell, Sept. 20, 1869, Colonial Correspondence, F 209/1. PABC. LeLievre taught for nine months at the Collegiate School.
7. Colonist - Sept. 23, 1869, p.3
8. May 20, 1872, Dept. of Education, Correspondence Inward, C/AA/30 8M. Another letter contained in this file, dated Oct. 23, 1872 expresses suport for LeLievre:
...I very much regret having to withdraw my child from the school solely on account of the wretched condition of the Schoolhouse, and I more respectfully regret that I am compelled to adopt this course as the child was rapidly improving under the tuition of Mr. LeLeivre.
9. Sessional Papers 1874-75, p.15. Further notes on this period are contained in J. Stricker, Craigflower School, Heritage Conservation Branch, Dec. 1979.
10. Colonist. May 19, 1881, p.3
11. Colonist, Feb. 21, 1889, p. 2. See Appendix II for references to other family members.