VILE TRICKS AT A SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1916, Page 6

VILE TRICKS AT A SCHOOL.

To flic Editor. Sir,—lt is with' the greatest reluctance that I take up iny pen to acquaint your readers, generally, and especially your subscribers in this settlement, of the following facts:—For some years past, especially since the public hall here has been used as a lialf-time school, some hoodlum or hoodlums have been persistently pencilling obscene and vulgar language. The first operations were on the outside of the main entraace door, but this was stopped, as the culprit was discovered and threatened ffliat if such acts were repeated the consequences would be of the severest kind. The children's desks were the next objects to receive the attentions of the miscreants, the malpractice progressing from time to time until on Monday morning, February 14, the schoolmaster discovered that the table used by him had been badly scratched in the centre, just where he does his writing, and on the left end of the table a most indecent and vulgar word was scratched thereon, while on the right-hand side another sample of the game low, dirty expression was to be seen, and between the two on the top of the table the schoolmaster's name was scratched. I was called in by the schoolmaster and shown what had been done, and I told him of the past efforts of the hoodlums that had been going on for some years. Now. the last disgraceful act is 60 easily traceable that I hope those interested will take the necessary steps to bring the culprit to account. If such curs arc to be allowed to continue acts like this, I. as the parent of a child attending the school, will take steps to stop it. Such foul-minded blackguards are only fit to occupy the ranks of our enemies—the Germans and Austrians, the Turks being too good a companion for such. lam quite prepared, and I have not the slightest doubt tlh'ft schoolmaster is also, to meet such low hoodlums and give them a taste of true British pluck. ,If anyone (a Britisher and a man) has anything to say against the schoolmaster or committee there is a proper and manly way to do so, but these low creatures are so devoid of respect for themselves or others that they must resort to all the dirtiest and vilest tricks that a Britisher abhors.—l am, etc., R. O'DOXNELL. Tongaporutu, February 21, 1916