A Terrible State of Affairs.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 109, 13 April 1885, Page 2

A Terrible State of Affairs.

Under the above heading a James Brown, watchman to thu Wellington Harbour Board writes to the Post as follows :— Sir— There appear from time to time adveutisemeDts m your paper such as — " Wanted, a Nursegirl. to sleep at home." This arrangement may sometimes suit both sides, but it is a danger* ous temptation to giddy young girls who take such situations! They leave their employers' homes m the evening — I suppose after tea is the hour — and on the way home they meet companions of both sexes by appointment, and very often some of these young girls stop out all night, frequently on board ships alongside our wharves. I know one. ship at the present time on whiqh four girls were on board all night recently, and anyone who has occasion to go on the wharres at night will be able to ascertain tbe truth of what I say. I suppose that when questioned by their parents as to why they did not come home last uight, the answer will be — " There was a party, or else baby was ill, and I had to stay." There is also a wellknown house m a certain part of the town which is a traiuing school or home for these young girls. I had occasion the other night to detain a young girl after midnight from going on board of an English ship and had her brought ashore again, much to the digust of several young men on board. The captain did not know of the affair, as he wan not on board at the time. I saw the girl off the wharf at half-past 2 a.m. on last i riday night. I asked her what her age was, as she was young looking aud very small; she said 17. Since then I find out she is only about 15. If I had known that she was so young, I would have brought her to the Police Station, but then I might be doing wrong, as her parents would not like to have her name m the paper ; but Bhe was old-fashioned enough to give me a name which I have since found to be a false one, I think if there is any law by which training schools for immoral purposes could be broken up, there is plenty of work at the present time m that direction for the police m this city. The police, indeed, would not have the slightest trouble m arresting many of these young girls for obscene lauguage ; and I am prepared to furnish the police with a lot of these girls' names and the meeting places that they go to, as there is a school of them go together.