Corpun file 7258

The Advertiser, Adelaide, 8 March 1966

Public Caning Of 29 Boys

AAP-Reuter

PORT MORESBY, March 7.

Public caning of 29 schoolboys at Daru in the western district of Papua last Friday met with the general approval of parents and townspeople.

The Member for the Fly River open electorate, which takes in Daru (Mr. Robert Tabua) said he felt the punishment was justified.

Mr. Tabua, who is in Port Moresby for the sittings of the House of Assembly, returned to Daru on Saturday and spoke with the fathers of the boys and several other people.

He said all had agreed with the caning.

The acting deputy district commissioner for the western districts (Mr. R.A. Hiatt) sitting as magistrate in the Children's Court, ordered the public caning, when the boys, aged between seven and 15 years, appeared before him on charges of riotous behaviour.

Two 16-year-old boys who appeared in open court on similar charges were gaoled for one month each.

French-Canadian Sisters of Montford Order had been showing slides to native girls.

The boys had broken eight fly wire screens covering windows and police had to be called to disperse them.

The caning was carried out at the Daru Police Station by a Papuan police constable.

Other police officers, Mr. Hiatt and a doctor were also present.

A large crowd witnessed the caning.