CORRESPONDENCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12734, 1 April 1909, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

The Maori Foreshore Camp, TO THJt XDITOB. Sir, — By the report in this evening's paper it seems to be settled that the natives shall stop here on the foreshore. Well, now, I would like to know how anyone can do business while this confounded row is going on, for while writing this a well-known Maori woman is nVaking such a row that .it takes me all nry^'time to do it. You might wonder where £he gets the spirits from, but when you sec a European buy a bottle of whisky, hand it to a Maori, and he in turn bring it to her, there is not much to wonder -at. This, was done to-day. What is to stop it being done every day? Perhaps the Council is going to place a constable at the plaec day and night. It is suggested that the Council should buy the place from the Harbour Board, but who is going to pay for it? Perhaps they will charge rents, rates, and taxes for it, or raise a loan. I wonder if Auckland (as a specimen) allows the Maoris to camp, or even have a hostelry, 1 in the business part of the town. The Chamber thinks it would be had business to move the .natives, but I do not see it, as if they were anywhere between here and Pipiriki, Wanganui would get their money, but perhaps in a different way. It is not the community they are studying, as if -a poll were I could swear they woujjl be in the minority. Cr Purser says as far as he can see the only objectors' are the proprietor of the boardinghouse adjacent and the "Herald." He must want his eyesight testing, as there have been a few letters in the papers lately, and not over' my signature. As for the "Herald," if they are moving shortly, why should they trouble? They surely had not thought of moving when this controversy was first started. If those adjacent do not complain, then who should? The public does not see anything unless they happen along this way, which they don't if they can help it. It appears there is a site for the natives at Putiki, but it is not occupied/ a^r it does aiot suit the -natives.' I thoueht beggars couldn't be' choosers, but i\ looks as though they can. It is said the natives have been here for 50 years, but there was no one on the section when I 'came here: there was one on the road at the back, but that was all. I repeat I was very sorry I was not at home when the committee visited the place. I would have shown them something to turn their noses up at, I am sorry I was not at the meeting of the Chamber of 'Commerce, but happening to meet one of 'their number en r.oute, j\nd not knowing whether it was a private or a ( public meeting, I broached the subject, and» was. (given to* tinderstand ai Wiat' tl.ey knew aTI . afeowfi t*e< "filth ' aftl HfsK&nsxW^ meeting was just to forVp^^eWftauou. tp try andggetnoittiosbefcty b&ffe-Vit ¥ftfiki;W the nateweai Is"ifi atyrMMeWbal Mfr theije, a»- that * wad 'What I wanted. But, lo and behold, when Ifsaw the paper, what a difference! Had I known tliat Messrs Manson, Moore, Bams, etc., were among the number, well, I woiild have been there, as people are not going to fight against their own interests. But if the Council is going to draw rent, rates, taxes, etc. (I do Dot envy the collector his job) on the same scale as European) this subject will drop as far as I am concerned, as they will not stop very long here. Hoping Mr Editor will excijse me taking so much space.— l am, etc.} A. C. BOOTES.