AN INTOLERABLE NUISANCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 8, 10 June 1913, Page 5

AN INTOLERABLE NUISANCE

NATIVES ON THE HIGHWAY, t.

Wanganui, June 7. For years past the Maoris have followed the practice of habitually blocking traffic in Ridgway street Jby congregating in groups and forcing pedestrians to take the road to pass tnem. To-day & local solicitor prosecuted one of theaa Maoris for committing an indecent offence in the street, saying that he did so because he thought it was time a protest should be entered. He also complained of the disgusting amount of ex- . ppctoration from Maoris, which was a danger to the public health on account of the possibility of spreading tuberculosis. Not only were they a nuisance, but they spent their substance on billiards and drinking! Mr. Kerr, S.M.j agreed that this habit of the Maoris was an intolerable nuisance, and severely commented on the inactivity of the police, to which Sergeant Bourke replied that his force winsquite under-staffed for such a purpose, inasmuch as when the Maoris were moved on from one place, thev at once gathered in another, and it took- two ofj three men on each side of the street to" deal with them. Unless he had morfr men, it would be impossible to check the nuisance.