"AN ELIGIBLE SETTLER."

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2567, 29 March 1869, Page 3

"AN ELIGIBLE SETTLER."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES. Sir,—The Timuru Herald of the 13th inst, has a paragraph headed "An eligible settler," in which it complains of the sendiugdown to Timaru, from Christehurch, an old cripple, oue Hugh Davis, who had previously been brought before the Magistrate's Court at Christehurch, for vagrancy. Taking advantage of this case, they make a charge against the Government for the class of immigrants seut them. The above-named Hugh Davis is an old settler of this part, having been known about Timavu and Waimate by the cognomen of " Skippy," He worked for the late Mr G, Rhodes and others in Timaru, and was for some time employed in the surf boats there. When he left Timaru he went to Waimate. About two years since come gentleman there wrote to the Government about him, lie being unfit for work; and they agreed to give him an asylum in the Barracks in Christcimrch, where he stopped as long as lie liked. Such being the facts, i cannot understand what blame can be attached to the Government. The man was sent on at once to Waimate, so he has been no expense to Timaru. There appears to be a great want of observation on the part of the reporters for the Timaru Herald in crying out so much for labour and immigrants, when there are so many about the neighbourhood out of employment, or only partially employed. It is heartless and cruel to delude men by the promise of employment, and then, when they have travelled some distance, and often at considerable expense, they fiud it a hoax. There can be but one mo :■ 1 -f lowering the price of labour; and .1 in is is not obtaining money under false pretences, it's very much like it. Your obedient servant, FAIRPLAY.