HINDUS IN AUCKLAND

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 203, 25 February 1914, Page 6

HINDUS IN AUCKLAND

HOW DO THEY PASS THE CUSTOMS'/ Auckland. Monday. In spite of the fact that a literary test is required by the Customs oltieials before Hindus are allowed into this country, there are a number in Auckland who are unable to speak a word, according to Mr. Lindsay (traffic inspector), who states that frequently Hindus call at his ollice regarding fruit licenses,and it is necessary for them to have an interpreter before they can make known their wishes. "hi some cases," said .Air. Lindsay, '•Hindus have come to til's ollice, and I have asked them to show their licenses, but they only replied by a shake of their head,"showing they did not understand. They will also show me licenses which do not belong to them, but are owned by other Hindus, who give them the temporary Use of them." Enquiry at the Customs ollice, Labor Department and shipping ollice this morning failed to elicit the number of Hindus resident iu Auckland. "Apparently there is no record of them," s:iid a Town Hall ollicial, "and how so nianv manage to get in I do not know." "All we are required to do." said a Customs official, "is to see that Ihev pass the literary test. We take no tally of the number coming in and out." There are at present -25 Hindus licensed for fruit and vegetable hawkers, and \> for street stalls. Beyond this it is not olliciallv known what occupation the remaining Hindus follow.