KNOCKING BOYS’ HEADS TOGETHER.

Dunstan Times, Issue 656, 13 November 1874, Page 3

KNOCKING BOYS’ HEADS TOGETHER.

—o— Reference was made iu our telegrams yesterday to the death of a sou of Mr W. Grant, a set tier at AVaikiwi, under peculiar circumstances. The deceased was a pupil attending tho district school at Waikiwi, and on the 16th October hj e complained when he came home of n pain in his head. He said that Mr Macdonald, the teacher, had taken him and another bny named MTlwriek and knocked tbeir heads together, for misbehaviour at school that day. He continued to complain of bis head, aud on Saturday the 24th, Dr Cottcrell attended him, and Drs Grigor and M,Cluro were subsequently called in, hut without avail, the boy dying at 1 a. m. yesterday, after having been ill nearly tiirce weeks. In tho Southland Times of yesterday the following letter appears “One of the teachers of tho Grammar School has a most improper habit of bumping the children’s heads together as punishment. One of my children has been treated in this way several times. Now 1 know that hoys especially are very annoying, and deserve thrashing, and if they would cine or strap them about tho back or legs 1 would not care, because they must he made to bo obedient and civil. But this knocking of heads together is very’ dangerous ; and as tar as I am concerned if possibility offers, I shall appeal to the Resi lent Magistrate’s Court. There is another cmel practice in vogue too—to me, at least—of the junior teacher, that of hitthig the children under the chins causing them to Lite the'r tongues. I approve of punishment, but 1 object to cruelty.”