"SPARE THE ROD AND-"

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 109, 9 May 1908, Page 5

"SPARE THE ROD AND-"

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir, —Thanks are due to you for publishing the able and interesting article in last night's paper, "Spare the Rod and -." Some of the statements were news to me. For instance, I had no idea that the lazy parents were causing so much unnecessary suffering to the tender-hearted teachersv Probably I am not quick at putting two arid two together. One is always grateful for new light. Here is some more light: A successful headmaster of a school in the Wellington district allows no one but himself to use the strap in punishment. The strap is not used until .careful inquiry has been made into the need for punishment. If he notices that any teacher sends more children for punishment than he considers a fair average, he makes it his business to find out whether the fault lies in the children or in the incapacity of the teacher to impart knowledge or maintain discipline. As in the case of the ballad of " Widdy Malone," there's a " moral" to my tale, " not long, but strong." Do yon notice it? It's there.—Yours, etc., LAZY PARENT.

Blenheim, May 9