THE CANING INCIDENT AT AUCKLAND.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXIII, Issue 226, 26 October 1887, Page 3

THE CANING INCIDENT AT AUCKLAND.

— — <► (united hress association.) Auckland, Oct. 25. The recent caning incident at the Newton East School, when a child was punished severely for non-payment of quarterly fee for stationery, is attracting considerable attention, and it is probable that the matter will be enquired into by the Board of Education on Friday. It is stated that enquiries have revealed that the case was not one of unwillingness to pay^ the money, but of absolute inability, the times not having been prosperous with the family. Clause 68 of the regulations of the Auckland Education Board states that teachers must arrange to provide stationery for the use of their pupils, who shall pay a small charge to cover the cost. The rule has not worked altogether smoothly in the Newton School, and the matter has many times come before the Committee. The regulation was passed in order to insure payment of the fees by people, but it seems that in many cases teachers arc out of pocket by it, as when parents can't pay, the master credits the amount as paid, and it is said Blr Coates himself has lost money in this way, The teachers of the school and others here generally view the system of charging for stationery as a vicious one and open to grave abuse, but the caning of the little girl's hand is condemned by them as unjustifiable.