"THE DEFIANT HIGGINSON."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13451, 30 May 1907, Page 7

"THE DEFIANT HIGGINSON."

Sir,—My attention has been drawn to an article in your issue of. the 16th hist, under the above heading. Now one side sounds all very well until the other side is told, and since you have given publicity to Miss E. A. -Bowen's letter to the Board of Education I trust you will find space for the following facts of the,same incident, as, I think the lad Higginson is suffering a grave injustice,.: calculated to seriously injure? his chances "of obtaining employment in the profession he proposes to adopt, viz., school teaching. For many years past football has been played by tho boys at the Wbatawhata school, : until ' about the end of last season, when Miss Bowen, the schoolmistress,'raised an objection to - this game, and" following her instructions, the ball was left in the school porch. .The/next morning it was found with , the bladder pierced in several places; in fact, damaged beyond repair. This season the lads, still having, the case, subscribed amongst themselves and- purchased a new bladder. The first day they had been playing nearly the whole dinner hour when Miss Bowen appeared upon the scene and called for the ball. In reply to her question, "Why : /had he played that ball?" Higginson respectfully answered, "A committeeman said we could play football at school." - This was the first occasion foot ball had been mentioned by the teacher to the boys this season. Miss Bowen 'then locked the ball away in the cupboard, and it was not played again until she consented. R. B. Tatton. . . Whatawbata, May 23. .