.... which just goes to prove how times change.
'Public' beatings with the cane weren't carried out in my day. They were administered in the privacy of the masters study.
One master, (who shall remain nameless), used to clear the furniture to the sides of the room, allowing himself a three pace charge, as the offender bent over in the corner, knees straight, touching his toes.
HOWEVER. House punishments in Prep B, (with a gym-shoe), WERE administered in the dorms. by the housemaster, (over pyjama bottoms), in front of the whole dorm. (30 pupils to an open dorm, I believe.)
Were these the 'GoodOld Days', I ask myself