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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3483, 5 September 1882, Page 2

In the Legislative Council yesterday the Hon. Mr Chamberlin asked whether the Government intended to prohibit the importation of toy pistols from America. Mr Oliver, who replied to tbe question, said he was not aware that the Government had any such intention. At first sight it would appear that the question was frivolous, but when something more is known about these toys it will be agreed that their importation should be most certainly prohibited. These toy pistols are breech-loaders, and are from four to six inches loag, and they carry a blank shell of 22 calibre. Tbe eftect of this toy on 4th July (Independence Day), says an American correspondent of the Dnnedin Star, has been terribly fatal, 78 deaths having been caused by it within a radius of 500 miles of Chicago. The slightest wound or scratch of the skin ! produces lockjaw and death in 99 cases out of 100. If this toy should put in an appeirance in New Zealand, it is the duty of the authorities to confiscate and utterly destroy the entire stock. Your boys and the rest of mankind would be safer if

supplied with Gatling guns. Look on' for the toy pistols!