BOYS OF FIFTEEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 17, 20 January 1934, Page 10

BOYS OF FIFTEEN.

DRINKING " METH V LATED." SUPPLY TO NATIVES ILLEGAL. (From Our Own Correspondent.) OTOROHANGA, Friday. The Maniapoto Maori Council sat here to-day, Mr. T. Waeroa, chairman presiding. Charges in connection with the sale to and use of methylated spirits by natives, brought by Mr. T. Onnsby, native health officer, were dealt with. •T. K. Lipseombe, shop manager, was charged with a breach of the Maori Council Act in selling methylated spirits to a native. The health officer asked for leniency, as defendant was a new resident in the King Country, and he was quite satisfied that defendant did not wish to break the law. He emphasised the serious consequences of supplying natives with methylated spirits. Boy's of 15 had been drinking in the pas, women had been beaten, and the health of the people had been greatly injured. He wanted European storekeepers generally to know that methylated spirits must not be supplied to natives.

The charge was dismissed, having been brought more as a warning to others.

Two natives, Tc-Keena Te Keena and Rungaterangi To Ruinga, were fined 50/ each on charges of drinking methylated spirits. Five other natives pleaded not guilty, find their cases were adjourned, Mr. Ormsby stating that further evidence would be brought.