AN INTOLERABLE NUISANCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1771, 9 June 1913, Page 4

AN INTOLERABLE NUISANCE.

NATIVES ON THE HIGHWAY. (By Telocrapli—Rliocial CorrcejiundoM,.) Wanganui, Juno 7. For years past the Maoris have followed the practice of habitually blocking traffic in liidgway Street by congregating in groups nnd forcing pedestrians to take tlrj road to pass tlieni. To-day a local solicitor prosecuted oneof theso Maoris for committing ail indecent offence in the strait, saying that ho did so becnuso lie thought it was timo a protest should be entered. He also complained of the disgusting amount of expectoration from Maoris, which was a danger to the public health on account of tho possibility of spreading tuberculosis. Not only 'were they a nuisance, but they spent their substance on billiards and drinking. Mr. ICerr, S.M., agreed that this habit of the Maoris was an intolerable nuisance, and severely commented on the inactivity of the police, to which Sergeant Bourko replied tlrst his forco was quite understaffed for such n purpose, inasmuch as when tho Maoris were moved on from one place, they at Mice gathered in another, and it took two or three men on each side of the street to deal with them. Unless ho had more men, it would lx> impossible to check tho nuisance.