CHILDREN WARNED

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1935, Page 9

CHILDREN WARNED

DON’T SPEAK TO STRANGERS

CIRCULAR TO HEADMASTERS

SEQUEL TO JOAN RATTRAY’S DEATH.

tSvecial to " Northern Advocate ”] NAPIER, This Day. The Hawke’s Bay Education- Board decided to issue to the' headmasters of all schools, in the district a circular giving advice to children concerning their actions while coming and going to school. 'This action is a sequel to the tragic death of a school girl, Joan Rattray, for whose murderer the police are still searching. ~ The; chairman of the board, Mr G. A. Maddison, suggested that" all teachers should have impressed upon them the necessity of giving warning at frequent and regular intervals to children., . , “I feel I must refer to the tragic death of this young pupil of the Mangateretere school,” said Mr Mad-, dison. “She left for her home as usual after school on July 2, but never reached it, and was found next day in circumstances which seemed clearly to suggest that she., was murdered. Her death has stirred the whole community to a high, pitch and the sympathy of one and all is extended to her parents in their loss. --1 have, both personally and in my letter, extended to the parents the sympathy of the board.” “This case has wider importance to the board than the mere circumstances of her death,” Mr Maddison continued. “I am aware that teachers do their utmost to ensure the protection of children going to and from school, but this incident shows how difficult it is to protect children in all circumstances. We must strive, therefore, to impress more and more upon the pupils themselves, simple rules which they must observe. Since this incident I know all teachers have warned their pupils, and this should - be done frequently and thoroughly. I have been interested in a series of -‘Don’ts’ drawn up in simple language oy the headmaster of the Mahora school, Mr E. Bissell. I include them here, and I suggest that all teachers should _be impressed with the necessity ■ of giving warnings at regular arid frequent intervals on the lines of ’ Mr' Bissell'’s list.” ■ ■ •

The “Don’ts” for children included in the list are as follows:

“Boys and girls on their way to and from school are not on any account to stop and talk to strange men. Hurry on with your class mates.”

• “Do not take pennies for sweets # or any favours from any strange person.”

“If any person whom you do not know offers to take you home on his bicycle says ‘No, thank you,’ and walk

“Do not on any account go for a ride on your bicycle with any one you do not know.” “If a strange person asks you to ride in his motor car kindly say. ‘No, thank you,’ and hurry on.” “If you are afraid of a man or a youth, or if he is following you, walk to the nearest gate. and knock at the door or call out loudly.” “Keep with your class mates.” “Don’t go to or from school alone.” “We know that in some of these cases have children fallen by taking pennies,” went on Mr Maddison. “If these' points are observed, I think a repetition of the recent sad occurrence might be averted.” It was pointed out by Mr W. Cuthbertson and the board’s inspector, Mr T. A. Morland, that children occasion-, ally stopped cars and asked for rides. The chairman replied that that was also a point which teachers should note, and children should be told never to do this unless they were sure the drivers were friends.