One would also have to assume,that before actually using the cane,that they would have had to practice on something-or somebody.

I know that according to the regulations governing caning in state schools in Queensland,where I grew up, caning had to be on the hands.

I think that previously, caning on the bottom was in vogue for both sexes. After the federation, however, it was decided that males caning female bottoms, or females caning male bottoms, was a little too prone to create problems with parents, and so, to standardize the thing, caning on the hands only was mandated.