DRINKING AT NGARUAWAHIA REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13134, 24 March 1906, Page 5

DRINKING AT NGARUAWAHIA REGATTA.

ALLEGATIONS SAID TO BE EXAGGERATED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN' CORRESPONDENT.] Hamilton, Friday. The statement made by Mr. Melville at the meeting of the Waikato Licensing Committee has occasioned a lot of comment, and has led your correspondent to make inquiries regarding the allegation concerning drunkenness at the Ngaruawahia Regatta. The report emanated from a leader in the Waikato Times. Mr. Melville based his remarks on this article, and what lie had heard, not having been present himself, and stated! that numbers of Maori women were lying about drunk. From inquiries made by your correspondent from disinterested parties, it would seem that there was not nearly the amount of drunkenness last Saturday as is usual on regatta days. This statement is borne out by the fact that though many thousands were present only two or three persons were arrested for drunkenness. A sufficient police force was present, and it may bo asked, if so many were lying about why were they not arrested 1 It is alleged that many of those who attended from the King Country were under the influence of drink on the train before they arrived at the regatta at all, and were refused drink by the Ngaruawahia hotclkeepers, and also by the proprietor of the booth. Until the official report is forthcoming, it is unfair to blame the proprietor of the booth. Many independent witnesses state that there was a total absence of strong drink amongst the Maori women, and it is generally admitted that considering the magnitude of the crowd the percentage of those who imbibed unduly was very small.