GAMBLING AMONGST MAORIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 62

GAMBLING AMONGST MAORIS.

SOME STARTLLXG STATEMENTS. (From Our Own Cokrespondext.)

WELLINGTON, September 19. Some astonishing statements in regard to tho prevalence of gambling amongst the Mao3'ics are made in the annual report, of Mr W. Bird, Inspector of Native Schools, which was laid on the table of the House to-day. Speaking- of the various causes which affect the attendance of children at the Native schools, ho says that, whilst the parents of many of the children say that thoy have no money and no food for their children, they nevertheless "spend their whole time at playing cards or billiards. Another factor which not only militates considerably against the success of several, of our scihools, but which also, in my opinion, is one of the efroatest curses that has ever come upon the Maori, is the billiard table. In no part within my knowledge does the billiard table work such havoc with the people, and consequently with the children, as in Hokianga and far north districts. The childi-en are often kept up all night billiard-marking, and are utterly unfit to come to school, or to work when they do come.-" Mr Bird goes on to say: — "The Maoris are pauperised by gambling. In one place it was reported that they had gambled away their crops. They are therefore in winter time unable to supply either food Qr clothing for their children, who have to suffer in consequence. The billiard table is even made part of the furnishing of a tangi. To one gathering of this kind three tables were conveyed and wherever a Land Court ig assembled they are to be found in numbers. I ascribe a considerable amount 01 the poverty amongst the people, the consequent fluctuating attendance at their schools, and much suffering amongst the people generally to the pernicious influence of these billiard tables, which are to be seen on the gumfields, in the kainga, or oven on the very roadside. Whatever steps are taken to ameliorate the conditions of the Maori, the suppression of these gamb'ing dens should be among the very first."