THE WANDERER.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 214, 8 September 1893, Page 7

THE WANDERER.

One of your correspondents in his notes makes mention of some rough doings over his way, presumably at some of those abominable gumfields swipe shops, for he gives as the causes bad whisky, bad language, and bad men, and the result; black eyes, and generally battered features. Is it anything new ? I think not. I have before this drawn attention to these places in the Waiboa Bell through the Wanderer’s notes. I have myself seen scenes of such disgraceful and degrading debauchery at these hells as would make ones blood tingle with indignation at the bare idea of such places being licensed by the Government to carry on such a scandalous and nefarious traffic. Aye 1 and how systematically, and with what glaring liypocricy is the infernal traffic carried on. N o doubt many will say the thing is exaggerated, then I may tell them they know nothing at all about it. Now for facts, and if anyone wants proof let them quietly visit one of these places on the Sabbath or busy day and what will they see and hear? Drinking, fighting, gambling, cursing, blaspheming, aye ! every vice that will debase man and bring him lower than the brute. And how are these places run ? Thus : The real or actual owner of the drinking den is also a storekeeper and gumbuyer, he lias a number of diggers dealing at his store, on certain days appointed he visits the various camps and purchases the gum from his customers. Now mark his policy ■ does he pay them cash for their gum ? Oh clear me no ! that would, according- to his ideas, indeed be an act of idiotcy. He in coolest manner possible informs the men that he has not sufficient cash at present with which to square them, but it will be round from Auckland in a few days and that if they come over to the store he will pay them. They go to the store, accounts are squared when Mr Hypocrite says, Well, we got through very nicely, suppose we go and have a whisky. Ah J how well he knows

his marks In nine cases out of ten that one drink does it. The unfortunate customer must return the conqDliment (?) then all the pent up longing and craving for move of the vile trash—■ for its nothing else in these cribs—is there. Drink follows drink until the poisoned and whisky besoddened one falls into a lethargic state from which he awakes in a day or two absolutely penniless, shattejedin mind, shattered in body, ruined in pocket, a poor miserable and forlorn wretch, feeling within him that life is a curse and oftimes muttering to himself, ‘ would to God I were dead.” Now then ! just watch this staggering specimen of hum mity as he crawls or totters to the bar, listen to his pitiful accents as he begs and prays for just one, al~, only one more dose of the accursed poison to ‘put him straight.’ Just look at his eyes, now with the dull stare of idiotcy in them, the next moment —when refused the dose—-filled and flashing with the gleam of frenzy and delirium. Now how bitterly he curses the destroyer. How like you the picture? This is no hyperbole. I’ve met scores of such cases on my wanderings, listened to scores of such tales until I have become callous and scarcely heed them. But what about the keeper of the hell? Ah ! he cares not, he has scored his point, he has raked all the sufferer’s hard earnings which had been toiled for in all weathers into his capacious pockets and if you want to know his feelings watch him, and note the self-satisfied smile on his face as he watches his victim, trembling like an aspen leaf as he takes his staggering, reeling way homewards. Great heavens ! to think that for a mean paltry sum the Government of any civilized country will license and allow to be carried on such a shameful, degrading and iniquitous trade. I’ve now had my say on this subject, but what do the ministers of religion and advocates of temperance think of it ! What are they going to do in this matter ? Quietly sit by and allow the press correspondents to do the work of trying to wipe out these dens of iniquity ? I’ll wait and see. I’m not done with this subject yet.

Now doubtless some of the many readers of the Bell nill jump to the conclusion that the above remarks have been penned by what they might term some rabid abvocate of temperance. Therein they would make a great mistake for though there is not pfc|jiai>sanyone who has a greater abhorrence an over indulgence' in yet at the same time I cannot put ward as one who is identified with the movement. Neither do I wish it to be that the remarks apply to those aceotmnodation houses which are run on free and independent lines, notably the Maropiu, a house which is worked perfectly independent of any gumstore or gumbuyer, a house which is well conducted, comfortable, with everything about it scrupulously clean and with fairly moderate charges. In my opinion a house like this is a great convenience to the travelling public. Now can an establishment of this sort be carried on without being licensed ? lam not culled upon to answer that question. My remarks are intended to apply only to the licensed places carried on in connection with gumstores and from tho owners of which has emanated that most pernicious system of issuing orders payable at the store and which orders are nothing more or less than alluring baits thrown out to the digg-er to drag him into the very jaws of a temptation which, we all know too well, many unfortunately cannot resist. I assert that the digger has an indisputable right to be paid for his gum in ‘ cash at his whare ’ if he so desires it, and it is both unfair and unju> t that he should be compelled to lose time which to him is valuable and in very many instances have to tramp miles to the store to receive the just return for his hard toil. The g-umdiggers herein have most undoubtedly a serious grievance which should have prompt redress and one which should also be well worth att-ntion at the hands of their executive committee. For my own part I sincerely hope that someone better able to handle the question than mvself will take it up. lam afraid I make but a sorrv hand at it. May I once again on behalf of the gumdiggers crave the Editor’s aid, I think I may.