Headmaster Calls Police To Investigate Pilfering

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28414, 22 October 1957, Page 11

Headmaster Calls Police To Investigate Pilfering

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND. October 21. More than 400 pupils of Selwyn College, Kohimaran.a, were on Friday subjected to an ultra violet lamp inspection as police summoned by the college principal (Mr N. P. Pitcaithly) sought to end persistent petty pilfenng within the school. Six at a time, all the pupus had to file through a darkened projection room where their hands were checked with the ray lamp. The inspection, which took about an hour and a half for the boys and as long for the girls, did not disclose anything auspicious. In this “trap” technique, an object is dusted with a fluorescent chemical and then planted.” This powder is transferred to the hands of anybody touching the object and cannot oe washed oil. It reacts to ultra violet light showing up green. Detective officers today described the investigation as “routine.” Board's By-law The Auckland Education Board by-law 133, which applies to all primary schools under its jurisdiction, but not to Selwyn College, a coeducational secondary school administered by a board of governors—says: “A police officer may interview a pupil at' a school provided the interview is held in the presence of the headteacher. The interview shall take place in the headteacher’s room and, where possible, in the piesence of a parent or guardian. During the Selwyn College investigation. either Mr Pitcaithly or a member of his staff was present. Mr Pitcaithly today refused to comment or give information on the inquiry and added he did not. consider it “important.” Professor R. Winterburn, university representative on the Eastern Secondary Schools Board, the governing body for the college, tonight expressed gieat surprise when told of the investigation. “I don't like it,” he said. "I’m not at all happy. It does not seem to have been the method best suited to such a problem.” Chairman's Comment Told some parents had complained, the chairman of the board (Mr A. P. S. Bell) also an Education Board member said:

“It is no use being squirmisn. The board supports, this special action.” He was not informed of the move, he said, until this afternoon. It did not surprise him at all.

"Minor thefts mainly of casn,” he said “have been going on for some time. Their detection was beyond the efforts of the staff, which must retain the confidence of the pupils. The principal has full- control of discipline in a school and he decided to call in the police.”

The board at Selwyn College will meet on Thursday night and it is expected to debate the investigation. Some parents and other members of the board supported the methods used.