Corpun file 23609

Clarence and Richmond Examiner, Grafton, NSW, 24 September 1912, p.2

Caning a School Boy.

Click to enlarge

An important Court case was heard at Ipswich (Q.) Police Court on Wednesday, concerning the caning of a son of Dr. Macdonald on the part of a pupil teacher. Dr. Macdonald said that he objected to his children being caned on the hand. He had his views on the matter, and he considered that caning on the hand might cause serious injuries and chronic affections. The hand was the most sensitive organ of the body, next to the eye. Dr. Philip Thornton, superintendent of the Ipswich Hospital, said that he objected to the practice of caning on the hands, as it was quite likely to result disastrously, and he had seen such cases. He considered it an injurious method of punishment, contrary to the regulations. Mr. Walker, a member of the bar, said that section 107 of the regulations of the Education Act pointed out distinctly that corporal punishment was forbidden to be administered by pupil teachers, and on the evidence of the headteacher it was proved to be a common action with the pupil teachers in Queensland, and in any case punishment for carelessness was not reasonable. The magistrate considered that the child had been assaulted and imposed a fine of £5 with costs.