WHEREAS it is expedient as far as may be practicable to limit the use of intoxicating liquors amongst the Native inhabitants of New Zealand, but so nevertheless that the provisions to be made in that behalf be framed with the assent or so as to secure the concurrence of the said Native people therein:

Be it therefore enacted by the Lieutenant-Governor of New Zealand, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof, as follows:—

1 Sale &c. of spirits to Natives prohibited.

That it shall not be lawful for any person whomsoever either to sell or to supply or to give any spirituous liquor or mixed liquor part whereof is spirituous in any quantity whatever to any person of the Native race.

2 Sale &c. of wine &c limited.

It shall not be lawful for any person whomsoever either to sell or to supply or to give any wine or any fermented liquor or mixed liquor part whereof is fermented in any quantity respectively which shall produce intoxication to any person of the Native race.

3 Penalty.

If any person shall sell supply or give any such Spirituous liquor wine or fermented liquor contrary to the provisions of this Ordinance, he shall forfeit and pay for any such offence any sum not exceeding ten pounds, to be recovered in a summary way, over and above any penalty which may be incurred for the sale of any such liquor without a license.

4 Penalty not to be recoverable for spirits supplied medicinally.

Provided always that no penalty shall be recoverable for supplying spirituous liquor to any person of the Native race in case it shall be satisfactorily proved that the spirituous liquor so supplied was administered medicinally.

5 Governor may modify or suspend.

It shall be lawful for the Governor from time to time to modify or alter or to suspend the operation of any of the provisions of this Ordinance which it may appear to him, from the state of Native feeling on the subject or otherwise, to be impracticable or inexpedient to carry into immediate operation, and to substitute for any provision which may be so suspended any other provision or provisions better adapted to give effect to the purposes of this Ordinance and to secure the concurrence of the Native inhabitants of the Colony therein.

6 Commencement.

This Ordinance shall come into operation in such districts and at such times as the Governor for the time being shall by Proclamation from time to time appoint.

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Sale of Spirits to Natives Act 1847