In your latest editorial (Do as you're told, July 1) you mentioned my little incident at Kaitaia College. I can't remember covering up my upper lip to hide my attempt at a moustache, however the rest is very clear.
I was sitting at the back of a classand in marched Mr Mitchell. No "Excuse me" to the teacher; Mitchell looked around the class, spotted me and very loudly said, "You, lad, shave your face."
I replied, "Who me sir?" "Yes you, go home NOW and shave your face and report to my office when you arrive back."
Luckily we were living in Worth Street so it didn't take long. I wasn't caned, but the indignity of being bawled out like that, and the loss of my precious facial hair, was punishment enough.
It never entered my head to question Mr Mitchell's authority. I didn't even discuss it with my mum, as I knew her response would be "Them's the rules boy."
Obviously I still am jibed about it. AND I have had a large moustache for the last 45 years.
