LIQUOR AND MAORIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 February 1920, Page 5

LIQUOR AND MAORIS.

SCENES AT A WEDDING.

"DEPLORABLE. DRUNKENNESS."

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, Last Night. William J. Williams, a licensee at Aramolio, pleaded guilty to a charge of selling to a native for consumption off the premises twenty-four bottles of whisky. It was stated by Inspector Hendry that there was a wedding at Ranana, an up-river native settlement, and three natives were sent to town to purchase liquor, which was bought from the defendant. He iirst refused to sell, but did so when informed that the liquor was for a wedding. He was not aware 'that it was destined for an upriver settlement. The liquor was taken away in two portmanteaux, and subsequently discovered by the pol'ce. A conviction was entered.

A deplorabie condition of affairs was revealed by liiscpetor Hendry during the ease. He said ilic police were informed flint when liquor entered a native upriver settlement, scenes of deplorable drunkenness took place, men. women', and even children drinking liquor. Convent sisters and priests working ..mong the natives found their work very much retarded by the debauchery which followed the liquor. In the natives' own interests liquor should be prevented from going to the settlements. The better class natives deplored this excessive drinking, which was having a far-reaching eli'eet on the morals of the natives.