PILFERING AT SCHOOL

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28414, 22 October 1957, Page 12

PILFERING AT SCHOOL

Mr Beeby Calls For Report

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. October 21.

A full report, on the ultra violet lamp inspection made by the police on pupils of Selwyn College, Auckland, on Friday, has been asked for by the Director of Education (Mr C. E. Beeby). Until he got the full report from Auckland on the facts of the inspection and the reason behind it—allegedly to end persistent petty pilfering—he could make no comment, he said. He declined to be drawn on the department's attitude toward such searches of schoolchildren.

Mr Beeby added that he hoped to have the report from the department’s officers by tomorrow afternoon.

The District Superintendent of Education (Mr L. Le F. Ensor) said the action to be taken in a case of that sort lay with the headmaster and the board of governors. Officially, the headmaster was considered to be in the position of a parent and should take the precautions which a parent would normally take. In a serious case of theft he would normally question the pupils and interview the parents before taking further action. If the police were called in, or, as somtimes happened, went to the school in the normal course of their duties, the headmaster would always see the children were given the treatment which they would expect from their parents.

“Principals are careful,” said Mr Ensor, “Io have the matter determined themselves, but when there are extreme difficulties and everybody is under suspicion they must take steps to protect the good name of the school. The principal is responsible . for the discipline in his school, but if he is doubtful he can refer the matter to his board.”

Mr N. M. Pitcaithly, principal of Selwyn College, today said the matter was in the hands of the police and it was over to them to take whiff action was necessary. He felt the school had acted courageously in the matter. It was an honest attempt to eliminate dishonesty in the school. (Earlier Reference Page 11.)