TALES TOLD TO THE MAGISTRATE.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1926, Page 4

TALES TOLD TO THE MAGISTRATE.

WHY MRS BROCK ATTACKED THE. SCHOOLMISTRESS. (Bv R. E. C'order in the London “Daily Mail.” Everything was going on much as usual in the Chamberlayne-road School. Kensnl Rise. Willesden, N.AY. Lessons were being rapidly learned and as speedily forgotten in the good old way. The rivers of Europe were being conscientiously traced to their sources, and the highest peaks of mountains were, as of yore, responsible for the lowest places in the class, when an assistant mistress was shocked by the discovery that four girls, big enough and old enough to make their own toilet, had come to school and unwashed and unbrushed.

Promptly she informed Miss Isabel Webster, the head mistress, who, drawing on her It? years’ experience at the school, gave the four girls a short, sharp, and sanitary lecture on soap and sensibility, together with a few remarks on the care and condition of the hair, whether it be bobbed, shingled, screw-curled, or plaited.

The class then settled down to a systematic study of English literature ; but Edna Brock, aged 12, one of the

unfortunate four, sat and brooded, and at midday '-die returned iliome in tears, with the result that her mother attended the school in a temper.

Tlie sequel was heard at "WTllesden Police Court yesterday, when Mrs May Brock was summoned for assaulting Miss Isabel 'Webster. Edlia Brock, wearing her School frock, but deprived of her tam-o’-shanter, which her mother clutched as evidence, remained outside the court ready to be produced as an exhibit.

Facing each other in court, the head mistress and the mother made a striking contrast in personalities. Miss Webster, coldly calm and scientifically lucid, described bow Mrs Brock carat into the hall, accused her of making the school a hell for Edna, threatened to give her a good hiding, followed her to her platform, seized her arm, repeatedly shook her. Mrs Brock agitated and impulsive, requested a glass of water and a fair hearing, and proceeded to tell (he Hcniih that her daughter was always turned out a perfect- picture, but, being bobbed, her hair might look unruly.

11 She is outside in her little school frock,” announced the angry mother. “ and here is her hat ” (waving the tam-o’-shanter). Edna, who looked the best-washed child in ‘Wiilcsden, was not called, and Mr Luke, chairman of the Bench, held that Mrs .Brack had insulted the school and injured discipline, and she would therefore be fined 21s.

Mrs Brock, ail energetic and smartly dressed yoililg matron, paid the fine ami firmly fitted the tam-o’-shanter on the well-washed head of the bobbed Edna.

Chambcrlnync-rond School will now return to the uninterrupted course of th" l-ivers of Europe, while two assistant mistresses and a caretaker will always remember the thrill of the afternoon of “ Brock’s benefit.”