Page:Our New Zealand Cousins.djvu/156

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140
Our New Zealand Cousins.

was a treat to witness the regularity and method so apparent in every department.

But we have lingered too long over our descriptions and must leave Wellington. One painful thing obtruded itself on our observation. We saw more drunkenness in Wellington than in any city or town in New Zealand. Whether this be a permanent or but a passing and transitory phase of the social life of this fine town I cannot say, but it is the only reproach I feel called on to record.

We saw many deplorable cases of open, brazen-faced, flaunting drunkenness, and sad to say not a few of the lamentable instances were those of really well-dressed, respectable-looking women, evidently workmen's wives, probably mothers of families. Alas! alas! under such circumstances is larrikinism to be wondered at?