Maoris Who Drink Methylated Spirits

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 634, 10 April 1929, Page 7

Maoris Who Drink Methylated Spirits

“MENACE TO KING COUNTRY” ALLEGATIONS BY POLICE (From Our Own Correspondent) TE KUITI, To-day. During the course of the hearing of a charge of drunkenness against a first offender at the Te Kuiti Police Court, serious allegations regarding the growing menace of methylated spirits drinking in the King Country were made by the police. gERGEANT FEARNLEY said the prevalence of this practice constituted a growing menace to the King Country. It appeared to he a favourite beverage, and though the police had interviewed the vendors of the spirit in the town, little good had resulted. The presiding justices remarked on the ease with which methylated spirit could be obtained. Recently the police went to the river bank and found three men lying helplessly drunk from the effects of the spirit. No less than eight empty bottles were picked up on that occasion. “The evil is increasing among the Pakehas as well as the Maoris, and is becoming a menace to this part of the country," said the sergeant. “f am making these statements in the hope that something can be done to lessen the evil. The Maori Council has taken the matter up and warned business people not to supply natives with methylated spirits without a permit from the council. It is an offence to do so, and It is within the power of the council to proceed against those who supply the spirit.” The bench tvas of the opinion that the matter was a serious one, and that legislation should be introduced governing the sale of the spirit. The matter affected the health of the community, and it was hoped that the question would be taken up by the Press and also that it would be brought to the notice of the next Minister to visit the district.