Boys Told Not To Return Next Year

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30269, 23 October 1963, Page 14

Boys Told Not To Return Next Year

(New Zealand Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, October 22. Nineteen senior boarding pupils at the New Plymouth Boys’ High School were told by the headmaster (Mr J, S. Webster) today that they would not be allowed to return to the school as boarders after the end of the term.

Mr Webster’s announcement, made after boarders at the school had assembled for breakfast this moriing came after a two hours and a half meeting of the New Plymouth High School board behind closed doors last night. The meeting considered a confidential report from Mr Webster on the treatment of third form boys by senior boarders at the school. The board unanimously recommended the immediate withdrawal of all leave privileges for the senior boys concerned.

It warned that immediate expulsion would result from repetition of such incidents.

A statement released today on behalf of the board said Mr Webster had told the meeting of a practice which Had existed in the school’s boarding estabalishment of senior boys subjecting third formers to “certain forms of questioning and punishment.” “Exhaustive inquiries were at once instituted with a view to ascertaining proof of those responsible and taking appropriate action to end the practice,” said the statement.