Head Boy told ‘carry on caning’

The ability to beat junior boys with a cane gave the Head Boy at Nelson College some authority in carrying out his duties. – New Zealand report from 1946.

The principle of the head prefect at Nelson College having authority to administer limited corporal punishment was adhered to by the Nelson College Council of Governors at its monthly meeting, but it favoured an amendment to the present practice, in respect of a boy’s right to exercise his preference for punishment to be administered by the duty master or headmaster, rather than by the prefect.

The general principle of the use of the cane by the head prefect arose during a discussion in committee on a report by the headmaster of the college, Mr H. V. Searle. It stated that since 1933 the use of the cane by prefects had been restricted to the head prefect only, with a maximum of two strokes, any boy having the right of appeal to the headmaster on the justness of the punishment or to express preference for the caning to be carried out by the headmaster.

This system retained for prefects some authority in the carrying out of their duties and at the same time ensured justice for the boys. It also obviated the necessity for boys to appear before the headmaster for any but serious offences. This arrangement had been appreciated by most boys, as well as by the headmaster.

A motion that the head prefect be not allowed to administer corporal punishment, and that any punishment more severe than the setting of fatigues be referred to the duty master or headmaster, was defeated.

As published in the Evening Star, Otago, New Zealand, 9 May 1946.

 

NOT AT WHANGAREI

The head prefect at the Whangarei Boys’ High School has never been empowered to cane offending pupils. “The matter has been discussed rather casually by one or two members of the Board of Governors, but there has never been trouble in the school in this connection,” said the Principal (Mr A. R. Ryder) today.

“Opinion on this question is divided into very definite opposing camps,” the principal continued. “I have never asked that this practice be instituted in the Whangarei High School.”

“Discipline depends a good deal on cooperation between prefects and boys. Prefects certainly do not have the same authority as the masters, although in some respects they have the same responsibility and at times they feel that they cannot enforce their responsibility as easily as the masters.

“In our school, we support the prefects if we find that a boy has absolutely repudiated their authority and this is an ideal means of control.

“We-like a prefect to assert his authority by obtaining the cooperation of the boys as far as possible,” Mr Ryder added. “They have the masters and myself behind them in maintaining that authority.”

As published in the Northern Advocate, New Zealand, 9 May 1946.

 

Picture credit: Sting Pictures

 

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