CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1133, 22 May 1911, Page 4

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

A WARM DISCUSSION AT PETONE At the Petono Dislriot High School Committee meeting on Friday night, a complaint was dealt with, from a resident, who alleged lhat his child had received excessive corporal punishment at the hands of an assistant. Tho punishment consisted of tivo t'rokes.

The Uncling of Die committee entirely exonerated tno teacher in question, and blamed the parent for not acquainting the headmaster (Mr. W. Foster) of tho fact that the child had been delicate in its earlier years.

Tho headmaster protested against this committee making a formal inquiry into a charge, when the parent had failed in the first instanco to confer with tho headmuster respecting his complaint. Tho chairman (Mr. M'lumzie) contended that parents were perfectly justified in going direct ,to the . committee with their complaints;. Mr. Hill: I am of the opinion that wo have no power to deal with this complaint. Let the parents take it to the Magistrate's Court.

The chairman: If (hat is your opinion, it is a mighty poor one, Mr. Hill. Mr. Kirk, referring to the headmaster 8 protest, said it; was very bumptious an & just puro blnll\ The chairman , . That is so.

The Kev. Mr. Thomson: Mr. Chairman, I. must object to tlicFo innuendoes being hurled at our headmaster; and if you allow (his sort; of thins to proceed, I shall move a vole of want of confidence in Hie chair. The chairman: Ton can do that if you like. We all know what you aro after. You want (o get in this chair. 31 r. Kirk: Talking about innuendoes, it 9 not so very lon<s ago since I heard Mr. Thomson 101 l our chairman that he could not irivo him brains. , Mr. Thomson: I know I am not lnfallMe - , , , , The chairman: T am very Kind to hear you say that. You arc far from perfect. Proceeding, Mr. Thomson contended that the headmaster was fighting for a principle, and )i<> considered I hat (ho whole mailer should b< 1 referred to the headmaster for a report. Eventually the committee- decided to proceed with tho inquiry, which was held in camera. Further developments in regard to tliie matter tu'o possible during this week.