NATIVES ON RAILWAY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 627, 13 December 1913, Page 5

NATIVES ON RAILWAY.

*~« HAMPERING RESTRICTIONS. The fact that the restrictions placed on Maoris in respect to travelling on trains had only been partly removed when the Native Land Court and Board sittings were being held caused a considerable amount of inconvenience. In the case of three Maoris who had to attend one had to come from Napier and others from Taranaki. They were allowed to travel by train to Te Kuiti, but when they wished to return home they were informed they could not do so, unless by special permit from the Health IVpr.rtnuT.t. As no officer of the Department i ,r located at Te Kuiti some- ei! ;!;.■ n.'U'icr :-• went to Taumarnnui in interview the officer located there, only to find he had gone to Mol:::n. A certificate was obtained by one m:tn from Dr Will to the effect that he had been vaccinated and was fit to travel, but the document could not he :veoe.nisrd by the railway ollicifii?.

Mr 0. Kliiott intercßted himself on hehaif (if : in- native:- and foiwarded tho following udeirram to Mr C. K. Wihnu-,. member ior (he district: "NnNvce j'rom New Plymouth and Napier at termini: I. •■. n d Court and Board :d;! inr hero blocked from returns;;:: owinr. io absurd small pox restriction:--. Knbeavour to have samo immediately withdrawn." Mr Wih-rm interviewed tlui Minister on the subject, and roolied as follows:- •' Minister will withdraw re«{riot ions as w irhod. "