SCHOOL ACCIDENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1946, Page 3

SCHOOL ACCIDENTS

NEED FOR AFTER-CARE EMPHASISED MASTERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 16. The need for the utmost care in the case of school accidents was. referred to during ■ consideration of a report on a fatal accident at a country school, which came before the Wellington Education' Board. The report revealed that a pupil had been playing tip-and-run, and had been accidentally struck over the ear by a bat. He had reported to the headmaster. He was bleeding from a cut on his ear, but there appeared to be no injury to his head. After firstaid treatment the boy, aged nine years, was accompanied by another boy to the house of the headmaster, where he received further assistance from the master’s wife. On returning towards the school, 80 yards away, he apparently felt ill, and was noticed" by a girl pupil lying under some trees. The headmaster carried him to the school, made him as comfortable as possible, initiated arrangements for him to see a nurse (the nearest doctor being 40 miles away), and finally put him on a bus, which conveyed him to his- home. The boy subsequently died of a fractured skull. The verdict at the inquest was accidental death. The secretary of the board, Mr W. I. Deavoll, said the headmaster, who was a returned serviceman, had been much upset at the occurrence, and had announced his intention of changing his vocation. Members commented on the urgency of masters looking carefully into all accidents'. The view was expressed by several, speakers that it was impossible that anybody, even a first-aid man, would have taken more measures for the boy’s care than the headmaster in question. The fracture was such that it might not have been at once apparent, even to a doctor, had there been one in the neighbourhood. The board decided to suggest that, rather than resign, the headmaster should take a year’s leave. It was also decided to defray the cost of the boy’s funeral. A motion of sympathy with his relatives was passed.