Drinking Among Maoris

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1938, Page 12

Drinking Among Maoris

Serious concern is being caused by the growing incidence of drinking among Maoris. So common is it becoming that the Whangarei police station has found it necessary for Constable Smith, of Hikurangi, to make a regular visit to Piplwai and Kawakawa districts. These facts were stated by Sergeant Bisset fn the Magistrate’s Court this morning, when five men were charged with assisting in the procuring of liquor for Maoris. The Commissioner of Police had communicated with the. Whangarei station requesting that special attention be given to the trouble among Maoris, said Sergeant Bisset. Hard to Detect. “You can see by the number of Maoris in court today what, is going on." he said. “It is extremely hard in many cases to detect the men responsible.” Defendants were Jack Perry, Joseph Simeon, Ngati Tana, Ponaiti Tana and Arthur Owen. Ngati Tana and Ponaiti Tana did not appear. Fines of £3 were inflicted in each case. Constable Smith explained how he had been asked by the Maori Council to be present at the opening of the new house at Pipiwai. While patrolling near the hall he heard the clinking of bottles in a bus. Visitors Responsible. On trying to open the door he found it stuck, and, while one man inside helped him to open it, the others at the back slipped out through the emergency door. On the seat were found 13 quart beer bottles, while one bottle lay on the floor with beer still trickling out of it. He made inquiries leading to the charges. “The council is seriously concerned about the amount of drinking in Pipiwai,” said Constable Smith, “The men responsible are from outside the district. Very good work has been done in Pipiwai" during the past few years in trying to keep liquor out, but the lies in the amount brought in by visitors in buses.” “If the Maori Council advises against it, it must be stopped,” commented the magistrate, Mr J. Morling, S.M.