High Schools

NZ Truth, Issue 1150, 15 December 1927, Page 6

High Schools

And Low-mannered Students Even to those who are far from observant, there is no escape from the rudeness which seems to characterize boys and girls belong' ing to High Schools. THESE children —whose ages run from thirteen to seventeen or eighteen—are, in the majority, gifted with manners which make those a little on in years long for the good old days when the family strap hung by the fireplace—ever ready to help the paternal parent assert his authority in his own house. • High school girls in several parts of New Zealand have cultivated a "cultured" accent, A prim young thing of some fifteen summers, was heard to remark: "Oh! he's quaite a naice boy." This little affectation, foolish as it is, may be overlooked. It is when the impudence of pupils of both sexes has a direct bearing on the general public that censure is deserved. The tramway authorities of our cities permit high school pupils to travel at reduced rates. Instead of appreciating this privilege, bur young people find an outlet for their energies in grouping together on outside 3eats if the day be sultry, and confiscating inside seats in wet weather. No matter how many adult passengers—who pay full fare—are standing, these young hopefuls sit as if glued to their seats —boys and girls alike. True, there are quite a large number of pupils tohost eonduct cannot be questioned. But they represent a very small fraction. To give a seat to an adult passenger is "good form" in some high school circles —but in others it is not. One desperate business man who uses the Oriental Bay tram* "Wellington, has a method which, if novel, Is effective. When he boards a tram and oannot find a seat, he makes a. "bee-line" for the nearest high school boy, grabs his collar and yanks him from hiß perch. He then sits down, lights his pipe and feels at peace with the world.