“RAGGING” IN SCHOOLS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3824, 28 July 1928, Page 1

“RAGGING” IN SCHOOLS

* BOY MAIMED FOR -LIFE

COMPLAINTS TO DEPARTMENT,

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Thames High School Board of Governors a letter was read from the Director of Education, Mr. T. B. Strong, severely condemning the “ragging” of new pupils at boarding schools. He said a ease had recently been brought under the notice of the Minister of Education, alleging that “a boy, during the course of his initiation at the hands of liis fellow-boarders, was so seriously injured that he was now lying dangerously ill in a hospital, and would be maimed for life. “The department’s officers,” continued the letter, “have on many occasions received complaints of the rough handling of new boys, and of these so-called ‘initiation ceremonies,’ where occasionally disgusting practices are carried on, and small boys undergo ill-treatment, which should not be permitted. The department is of opinion that ‘ragging’ .ought to be put down with a firm hand, so as to avoid the recurrence of eases such as those brought under its notice, and it trusts that the boards will take action accordingly.”

The president, Dr. J. B. Liggins, said he thought that “ragging-” was a harmless custom, provided it was not overdone. If was resolved to forward the director’s letter to the principal of the school.