STONE-THROWING.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1929, Page 5

STONE-THROWING.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Your remarks in yesterday’s issue of the “Guardian” on. the detestable practice of sfone-throwing will be heartily endorsed by every sensible member of the community.' Along with other residents I have been a good deal annoyed by this form of persecution, which is not only, as you say, ; nsane. wicked, and dangerous, but. is also cruel, cowardly, and contemptible.,, J saw yesterday the stone referred to in the episode of Saturday night, and there is very little doubt that if it had fallen on the face of the occupant, of the room, which it might have donebut for the position of the blind, ,the result would have ' been fatal. The shock causied by a sudden fusillade of stones (falling on an iron roof in the stillness of the night might very eastt* be fatal in the case of* say, 1 frail and elderly people with a weak heart. Consider. also the. possible ..effects on,a woman of such a shock an hour or two, perhaps seven a moment ‘or two, , before child-birth. Anything might happen to the. mother, and anything might happen to the unborn child. Pre-natal influence is well established; in medical service as an active and, powerful agency. Epilepsy, chronic irritability, a disordered nervous system, and insanity are not infrequently the results of adverse pre-natal influences. It: is very rightly not permitted to any man to take the law into his own hands, but taking the above facts into account and allowing for the natural exaspera tion caused by an unprovoked attack on his private and civil rights, any citizen would be justified, so far as purely moral and humanitarian considerations aie concerned, and apart from the legal deterrent referred to, in shooting on the spot any young miscreant caught red-handed in an act of violence of this description. The fact is that this intolerable nuisance is a blot on the civil life of the community, and it is high time, as you suggest, that a combined the part o f householders were made by householders for the purpose of putting' an end to it. I am, etc., CIVIS.