SINISTER ABODES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1852, 11 September 1913, Page 8

SINISTER ABODES.

GLIMPSE OF SOME MAORI'PAS. (By I'elesrarii.—Special Correspondent.) Wanganui, September 10. It would be difficult to say how often attention has been drawn to the condition of Native villages. That the authorities, however, have not met with much success in their efforts towards improvement is indicated by the report of Inspector Pargeter to the Wanganui Hospital Board. The inspector, during a recent trip to somo of the Wanganui River pas in connection with the . epidemic, took occasion to look into other matters.

After observing that the board can rest assured that there are no cases of smallpox in its district, Mr. Pargeter goes on to say: "Threo eases of tuberculosis were notified, and Dr. M'Konzio told 1110 . that he had no doubt that a very large number of up-river Maoris aro suffering from this complaint. This is not surprising, as my inspection of vliares and wharepunis revealed that most of them were damp, dark, and unyentilated. I did my best to advise the inmates with regard to these unhealthy conditions and other matters relating to sanitation. Notices regarding consumption were posted up in all pa's. 111 many of tho pas there is an entire absence of sanitary conveniences. 111 others the arrangements are quite inadequate, the result being that tho pas get into a disgusting state. Many of my numerous suggestions wero well received by the Natives, and I know that some of them are now taking steps to .get things improved. It is evident that thero is much good work to bo done in guiding tho Maoris up-river to a moro healthy mode of life. For instance, there were no signs of any sort of work going 011 ill any of the pas that I inspected, with, tho exception of Ranana. There the Natives, stimulated by Mr. Gregor M'G'regor (manager of the Aotea Maori Land Board's farm), were very active, and found it difficult to sparo time for vaccination. Such diseases as ake alto (Maori itch) and syphilis are most re-

grettably prevalent. 111 a letter received from the Rev. Father Fibend, he says that there are already signs tint my visit and suggestions are having a good effect."