Strapping award
During my teaching days when I taught around New Zealand and
the Pacific Islands, one of my key verses was found in the book of Proverbs 22:15:
"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but
the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."
As one who had been rather foolish during my own school days,
it was a rare occasion when I could get through a full day at school without
receiving the cane from one of my diligent teachers.
Now that many years have passed by and old-age creeps upon
us, we tend to look back and this writer looks back with excitement, realising
that it is possible that I have now discovered a way of raising funds to build
our Bible school on the property on which we live.
We quote from The Dominion newspaper, February 8,
2002: "Man pays back part of strapping award" -– A former Catholic school
student who was awarded almost A$3 million (NZ$3.6 million) for being strapped
has been ordered to pay back A$500,000 pending a High Court appeal...
Mr Hogan was aged 13 when he was strapped on the right hand
three times in the morning and five times in the afternoon by discipline master
Denis Fricot at St John's college in Lakemba, west of Sydney...
Mr Hogan told the court he experienced swelling, sweating,
discolouration, pins and needles, pain, headaches, loss of sleep and
difficulties with writing and completing his university study..."
This being the case, those of us who were brought up under
the old education system, have now an avenue open to us to make a little bit of
money, just before we move on.
To say that this writer is excited is an understatement, as
for some time now, we on our property have been praying for funds to assist us
in the building of accommodation to house our students who are here to learn how
to evangelise in these last days.
As one who was beaten by sadistic teachers on a regular basis
for at least my last five years of schooling, I feel that approximately NZ$10
million should cover my distress. During that time I suffered:
- Pain in my rear end.
- Bruising.
- Loss of dignity.
- The scorn and laughter of my peers.
- A permanent stoop caused by a continuous bending over,
which also caused my long distance sight to be impaired due to continuously
looking at the ground. - A sense of victimisation.
- Assault and battery.
Should any reader know of a lawyer who would like to assist,
please write to me care of this newspaper, at your earliest convenience.
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