The Colonial Larrikin

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 86, 3 January 1885, Page 3

The Colonial Larrikin

A correspondent of the Lyttelton J Times, writing over the signature, •" Spectator.*' makes the following remarks on the characteristics of that abominable nuisance the colonial larrikin :— " The London Arab, under proper surveillance, may develop into a decent shoeblack, or even an honest seaman ; the gamin ot Paris no. unfrequent'y is converted into the active Zouave; but the larrikin is the "rough' in embryo. The larrikin devotes himself almost from infancy to works of wanton destruction. The art of writing inspires him with the desire of cutting his name on posts, bridges, or rocks, or of covering walls with filthy and offensive words. The art of reading only serves to supply him -with a choice of oaths and blasphemy. Money enables bim to stint his growth with tobacco, or -to sow the seeds of decay with gin. The larrikin is more ignorant of the laws o* common rules of politeness then a Sioux, .snd has not 60 much decency as a Hottentot. He is the terror of all custodians of public gardens and parks as his chief delight is in pulling np {dants.and destroying fences. In _1 arge cities in Kurope you. may see children playing in the public gardens, but in New Zealand the larrikin is too much master of the situation to permit any such indecent recreation. He . resembles the race of \ ahoos mentioned by Swift, and deserves a similar treatment."