PUNISHMENT OF BOY

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 171, 15 April 1932, Page 2

PUNISHMENT OF BOY

“Frivolous Case” Dismissed

CHARGE AGAINST TEACHER Dominion Speciai Seiv-iee Auckland, April 11. A prosecution for alleged assault, brought by the parents of a boy, aged 8 years, against a teacher at the Wailii District High School, Mollie Deverell, was heard by Mr. F. W. Platts, S.M., in the Children’s Court at Wailii. The case was a sequel to punishment of tho boy. Lengthy evidence was given. The boy concerned admitted that be had been inattentive to his lessons ami Hint he had been rebuked on several occasions. Other witnesses gave evidence on similar lines. Classmates identified the stick alleged to have been used—a piece of dowellitig less than the thickness of a pencil. Some said it had been used on the legs and others on the shoulders, while other witnesses said it had been used on both. The boy’s grandmother alleged thin there were weals on the boy’s buck, but Dr. L. R. Hetherington, who examined the child after the alleged offence. said he could lind none and that the bruises on the boy might 1 easily have been caused in the' norma! 1 course of games. There were no signs of weals and only slight bruises were evident. “The evidence of the boy, the evidence regarding the stick, and. above :ill> that of the doctor, shows that the boy was lightly punished.’’ said th:: magistrate. ‘.'The case is a frivolous one and will be dismissed." i