DISTURBANCES ON THE FERRY BOATS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 118, 20 May 1907, Page 2

DISTURBANCES ON THE FERRY BOATS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Residents of Seatoun and Karaka Bay are wondering how much longer tho Ilarbour Ferries Company is going to allow its regular passengers to bo sworn at and interfered with by we6k-e)nd "drunks-." On Saturday night it was tho lot of passengers by iba s.s. Admiral to bo unwilling spectators of a disgraceful exhibition on tho part of several persons. These men, in a drunken state, wero allowed on the boat, and, having brought several bottles of beer and whisky with them, they then proceeded with their drinking bout, making tho air of the cabin reck/with the fumes of tho liquor. There wero a good many women and young children on board, bui their presence di-1 not in the least doter the men from using most vilo and disgusting languago, and, when remonstrated with, from becoming violent and abusive. Had tho trip losted any fongcr than it did, there is no doubt that a free fight would have ensued. It is certainly tjmo that tho Jb'orry Company realised its responsibility and its duty to passengers, eiShor by prohi'bitiing men who aro tho worse for liquor from travelling on tho boats or by securing tho services of a constable for tho night trips. — I am, etc.T REGULAR PASSENGER. 20th May, 1907.

"Disgusted", writes in a similar strain.' He 'states that he has seen women insulted on these Saturday night (rips by half-drunken men. Latterly most of tho disturbers of tho peace appear to be labourers, but misbehaviour is not 'confined to them. Two constables in plain clothes would have no difficulty in' securing convictions and teaching tho men n lesson. Ho asks why it is tho captain of the boat permits tno men on board, seeing that they have to pass, him at the gangway. "It seems to be nobody's business," writes our correspondent, "to protect passengers from vila language and insults once the vessel gets away from tho wharf."