SAFETY RULES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22631, 24 July 1935, Page 10

SAFETY RULES

PROTECTING CHILDREN CIRCULAR TO HEADMASTERS 1 THE HAWKE’S BAY TRAGEDY The recent tragic death of the schoolgirl Joan Rattray, for whose murderer the police are still searching, induced the Hawke’s Bay Education Board at its last meeting to decide to issue to the headmasters of all schools in the district a circular containing advice to children regarding their actions when coming to and going from school. The chairman, 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 Teel I ( must refer to the tragic death of this ( young pupil of the Mangateretcre School,” said Mr Maddison. “ She left for her home as usual after school on July 2, but never reached it, and was found next day in circumstances - which seem 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. I have already, both personally and in my letter, extended to the parents the sympathy of the board. “WIDE IMPORTANCE.” “ 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 pupils while 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 should 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 scries of ‘ don’ts ’ drawn up in simple language by 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 warning at regular and frequent intervals on the lines of Mr Bissell’s list.” DETAILS OF ADVICE.

Mr Maddison went on to enumerate the “ Don’ts ” included in that list. They were 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 classmates. “ Don 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, say, 'No, thank you,’ and walk on. * “Do not on any account go for a ride on your bicycle with anyone you do not know. “ If a strange person asks you to nde in his motor car, kindly say,/No, thank you,’ and hurry on. “ If you are afraid of a man or youth, or if he is following you, walk in at the nearest gate and knock at the door, or call out loudly. “Keep with your classmates. Don t go to or from school alone.” STOPPING OF CARS. “ We know that in some of these cases children fallen victims of taking pennies,” went on Mr these points are observed, 1 think a repetition of the recent sad occurrence may be averted.”

It was pointed out by Mr W. Cuthbertson and the board’s inspector, _Mr T. A. Morland, that children occasionally 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.