A DEN OF INFAMY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 42, 9 June 1876, Page 2

A DEN OF INFAMY.

The Auckland " Star " recently under took to expose the existence of a den of infamy kept in Hobson-street, Auckland, by a Mrs. Couzens. Mrs. Couzens has brought herself into notoriety by suing one "more unfortunate" for rent. This girl, Walker, has since written a letter to the "Star,"'in which she makes the following startling statements :"I am left without home or shelter she (Mrs. Couzens) having part of my effects in her possession, to starve, or continue to do what is far worse ; and why 1 because I was not able to make sufficient money to pay her (Mrs. Couzens) £4 a week for her house and furniture, to buy whatever she compelled me to, out of the public by the wages of my own degradation, and by selling Auckland bottled beer at ss. per bottle, charged to me by Mrs. Couzens at 20s. per dozen, and champagne at 20s. per bottle, charged 10s. ; and who were those I had to sell to ] many, only young men and lads earning small pay in banks and offices, who, when they got short of money by paying these prices, had to make up what they owed in such a manner that they ran the risk of going to Mount Eden. I hope that God in His goodness will always keep any of their daughters from being in the power of a Mrs. Couzens, and that their sons earning 30s. a week in responsible positions may not be tempted to pay ss. per bottle for beer in Hobson-street. Is it any wonder that Mrs. Couzens could say hi her evidence that she had seventeen houses 1 In many of those houses, Mr. Editor, is the grim skeleton of a soul gone, or going to perdition, being led by the hand of Mrs. Couzens, whom the law upholds."

vy®beihpwitzer and carriage for the Oamarn ;pß^K^P onl l )a,n y an 'i ve d by the Samson members have been summoned for%'arade?bn Tuesday, when they will bring the guiflrp to head-quarters from the Breakwater. A practice of the Football Club will be held to-morrow. Members, in view of the approaching match with Dunedin, are particularly requested to attend.