A WARM DISCUSSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14690, 26 May 1911, Page 8

A WARM DISCUSSION.

THE USE OF THE CANE.

Tin; question of corporal punishment gave rise to a warm discussion at a meeting of the Pelone District High School Committee, a few nights ago.

A complaint was dealt with, from a resident, who alleged that his child had received excessive corporal punishment at; the hands of an assistant. The punishment consisted of two strokes.

The finding of the committee (says the Dominion) - entirely exonerated the teacher in question, and blamed the parent for not acquainting the headmaster (Mr. W. Foster) of the fact that the child had been delicate in its earlier years. •

The headmaster protested against the committee making a formal inquiry into a, charge when the parent had failed in the first instance to confer with the headmaster respecting his complaint. ' The Chairman (Mr. McKenzie) contended that parents were perfectly justified in going direct to the committee with their complaints. Mr. Hill : I am of the opinion that wo have no power to deal with this complaint. Let the parents take it to the Magistrate's Court.

The Chairman : If that is your opinion, it is a mighty poor one. Mr. Hill. Mr. Kirk, referring to the headmaster's protest, said it was very bumptious and just pur© bluff. The Chairman : That is so.

The 'Rev. Mr. Thomson : Mr. Chairman, I must object to these innuendoes being hurled at our headmaster; and if you allow this sort of thing to proceed, I shall move a vote of want of confidence in the chair.

The Chairman : You can do that if you like. We all know what you are after. You want to got in this chair.

Mr. Kirk : Talking about innuendoes, it's not so very long ago since I heard Mr. Thomson tell our chairman that he could not give him brains. Mr. Thomson : I know I am not infallible.

The Chairman : I am very glad to hear you say that. You are far from perfect. Proceeding. Mr. Thomson contended that the headmaster was fighting for a principle, and lie considered that the whole matter should be referred to the headmaster for a report. Eventually the committeo docided to proceed with the inquiry, which was held in camera.