CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1469, 18 February 1886, Page 3

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS.

A recent London paper publishes the following ; —“ John Bowers, master of the Crown Court Board Schools, appeared at Bow street lately to an adjourned summons charging him with assaulting a lid named Robert Cunningham by striking him with his fist. Mr W. Thompson defended, and on behalf of his client denied the assault, and called evidence with a view of showing that the boy exercised a bad influence in the school, and had been guilty of insubordination. When remonstrated with, he became very unruly and offensive. In consequence, defendant took him by the shoulders and shook him, and because be then struggled to get away Mr Bowers placed his hands on his coat-collar to secure a firmer hold on the lad. This was all that occurred, and corporal punishment had not been resorted to for over two years in the school. It was denied that any injury was inflicted on the boy’s neck. It was elicited that he was forced down on bis knees, but this was in consequence of hia attempt to get away. He remained in school for two hours after the assault. A constable was called for the complainant, and said that some hours after the assault he had seen the boy black in the face. Mr Vaughan said the summons must be dismissed, as he considered there had been a great deal of exaggeration in the case, and he was much surprised at the conduct of the father of the lad in going to the school and demanding the master's name in the manner in which he had done. He did not approve of the evidence of the police constable. He (the magistrate) was one of those who maintained that discipline must be observed in school, but it must be exercised with great patience, and he was not sure that Mr Bowers would not have done better to adjourn the punishment until after the school was over, when it might have been done more effectually and privately. He could, however, quite conceive that Mr Bowers was justly laboring under great irritation at the boy’s behaviour. Jn public schools punishment was not administered at once, but was deferred, and then corporal punishment was administered the following day. This adjournment admitted of time for reflection, in order that no injustice might be done. He made this suggestion in order that punishment should not be inflicted hastily. The learned Magistrate concluded by acquitting Mr Bowers of any indention to assault the lad ? and dismissed the sum? mons.”