Heard at the Fireside

Southland Times, Issue 13434, 21 April 1896, Page 3

Heard at the Fireside

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— As we sat round the fire the other night the matter of offensive language used by men (one can scarcely call them such) in public plajes without let or hindrance and, judging by the records of our court?, with almost a' salute impunity, cropped up. One of my girls who had recently been travelling out of town by rail on a Saturday expressed her disgust that tipsy men were allowed to travel and make the carriages untenable by reason of their smoking and maudlin t3lk., interlarded with foul expressions and blasphemy ; co much so that women with any respect for themselves and who cannot afford to travel first-class not unfrequently stand upon the platforms of the carriages to avoid being shamed by the abominable conduct of those inside. " Yes, " said another " and I saw the police to-night push ing a poor feeble old man along the street to the lockup because he was silly drunk, while hoodlums were standing at every corner swearing, making referenced to women aa they pass, and even insulting remarks without any check or punishment. More like the thing if the police would lock some of them up." That there is truth in these statements those who travel (by Saturday afternoon trains in particular) or walk around our streets on the same night will admit. Can the railway authorities and the police do nothing more to stay this flood of sewer garbage ? I fancy that if a few of these drunk men were kept from getting home by train they might become more careful in future. As to street corners and other places of congregation the police should without cessation keep them clear. It is too bad that women should be forced to listen to these impudences and impertinences — in many cases, sad to say, from former schoolmates. This evil is not confined to central places ; there are others where young blackguards congregate, with greater safety to themselves, and make the passage of the streets by respectable women something of a trial and a thing to be shirked when possible. — I am, &c, Crim. Code. 20th April.