New Zealand Herald
1 September 2016
Sideswipe
A daily look at life's oddities by Ana Samways
"This was told to me by a former teacher at
Gisborne Boys High," writes David Howard, of Pakuranga. "A quiet boy
who was glad to leave school on the day he turned 15, took a job with the post
office delivering telegrams. Apart from being an unassertive boy, Tomkins (not
his real name) had had continual issues with wearing school uniform. Soon after
starting his new job, he delivered a telegram to his old school. He was spotted
by the Deputy Principal. 'Ah, Tomkins! Out of uniform again, I see. Go and wait
outside my office door!' ... 'But, Sir ...' 'No 'buts', Tomkins. I've warned
you several times. Get to my office!' ... The Deputy Principal gave him three
of the best. 'And don't let me catch you out of uniform again!' he said."
[See also Jan Brunvand, The Baby Train (1993), 169-170.]