The opponents called a walk out from the school at the time the Army Commander was to arrive to discuss the issue with the Head and chairman of governors. The Head foolishly, in assembly threatened to cane any boy who left his class. In the event over 600 did so , including his Head boy, Deputy and most of the Prefecture. The head was , of course , completely impotent . Indeed the escalation of the matter due to his threat meant that there was much more local news interest than otherwise, publicity a fee paying school abhors.
From that point on his legitimacy in the school was seriously undermined. Although he carried on for several more years he was holed below the water line. One ,might say hoist with his own petard. This was the start of a long slow process of attrition which eventually undermined his leadership.