LOCAL INCIDENTS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12889, 16 July 1913, Page 5

LOCAL INCIDENTS.

MAORIS STOPPED FROM TRAVEL LING ON TRAINS.

A MARTON EPISODE,

"KAPAI THE MOTOR CAR."

(From our Travelling Reporter.)

MARTON, July 15

Maoris in those parts realised, perhaps for the first time, yesterday, the effectiveness or' the prohibitory laws concerning their movements by train. The Jirst passenger train leaving Wanganui in the morning for Marten pulledl up at Ratana station, where a number of natives liad gathered in readiness to bo conveyed further down the Jine. Before the Httlo contingent of dusky men and maidens could board the train, the guard was out of his van promptly, and, according to instructions, asked each one to produce a notice signed by a medical man, that he or she had been successfully vaccinated. This they wore unable to do, and were naturally debarred from taking their trip. * They accepted the edict philosophically, and made no attempt to dispute the guard's authority.

The train from the south to Mavton, however, brought about six 'Maoris from near Greatford, the intention of the travellers being to visit some cousins and aunts at Wanganu.i. Upon arrivai at Marton. Stationmaster Spindolor very kindly pointed out that they could not travel any further until the requirements of the Jaw had been complied with. The position was made clear and thojittlo band were dumbfounded for a while, but they soon recovered speech, and it was not difficult, even to a non-Maori linguist, to determine by the actions and gesticulations accompanying their noisy speeches, that they did not consider Lhe stationmas-

TEI/BGUAPHIC

tar the best fellow in the world. However, he had a duty to perform, and inspector Wilson, of the Health" Department, was communicated with, and lie soon arrived on the scene.

The Maoris, who were even willing to face the needle's point in order to get to Wanganui, then proceeded up town in order to get vaccinated. There they were informed that the supply of lymph had not come to hand", and that the operation would have to bo postponed for a day or two. For a few moments tho members of the tribe were m a quandary as to how to act, as it was quite certain they could neither retreat nor go forward, so far as the railway was concerned. Then a brilliant idea seemed to dawn upon the mind °f one big fellow, and it is said that •-i »™m , illuminating his, face, he said, "Oh, d— BiH Massey; d— everybody, d— Spindeler; but kapai te motor car." It was not long afterwards ttiiCTi ihe parity fc|ad rooovered' their ■•spirits again, «nd were bowling over th© voao at a pace that Avould have fright. cnea the life out of Weary Willie. It is interesting to note, in this connection, that in view of the widespread ■epidemic of a varoloid type affecting the native race in many parts of tho Auckland province, it has been decided to enforce tlw provisions of section 18 of the Public Health Act, 1908. In accordance with clause (p> of that see* toon .the district health officer may torbid persons to come or to be brought tom place to place within tho district £lnhf\ he Uatl^ c,an Pro^ce. a notice signed by ,a medical man that he has oeen successfully vaccinated, or (2) that that "w 9 ™? r\°? uce » certificate that k» rot liable to carry infection. The assjstance of the poHee may oei rgaiusitjoned in enforcing the .prohibition, and in all cases of doubt as fco the certificate being lawfully W b? the natives, the matter can bo referred to the.district health officer or to the nearest public vaocinator