SCHOOL "RAGGING”

Evening Star, Issue 19924, 21 July 1928, Page 4

SCHOOL "RAGGING”

AN EXTINCT FUNCTION (Special ho tub ‘ Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, July 21. The Education Ttepartraont having forwarded to the boards controlling high schools a circular memorandum asking them to put down firmly any practice involving the rough handling of boys at initiation ceremonies, a reporter made inquiries with a view to ascertaining whether ragging,” as the practice is called, is very prevalent in Christchurch. Tlie answers lie received to his questioning showed that the practice is now rarely carried out, if at all. Mr G. Lancaster, headmaster of the Christchurch Boys’ High School,

stated that ho had received no complaints from any source concerning such ceremonies. If they were carried out it must be on rare occasions, for ho had never heard anything about them. Dr Hauseu, principal of the Christchurch Technical High School,- was more emphatic. “I would very strongly disapprove of anything of the kind,’ he said. “I have memories of what happened to mo at day schooli and would not allow such a practice here.” . From the authorities of Christ’s College it was learned that such practices had been stopped for some time, and Dr Geaney, principal of St. Bede's College, stated that lie had not heard any such cases so far ns that college was concerned.