THE CITY COUNCIL WORKMEN

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 206, 1 September 1898, Page 2

THE CITY COUNCIL WORKMEN

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Mr Becroft's letter in your issue of Monday evening is perfectly delicious. Just fancy these men who are employed by the City Council having the impertinence to have a draw of the weed while working. Just imagine these men, in a 'privileged position,' too, sticking their pick in the road and sitting on the handle of it discussing the merits or demerits of their tobacco, and for a quarter of an hour at a spell actually squandering- the money of the ratepayers. Mr Becroft is right. It is time this-- outrageous conduct should be stopped. But Mr Becroft has not gone far enough. I have seen these men betaking themselves to the water stands to take a drink of water, and I have asked myself whether this was a fair thing that 'the time of the Council should be thus wasted; and I have seen them also straightening their backs with their shovels in hand to notice anything extraordinary passing along. Why should these men-

in a 'privileged position,' too —have the temerity to stand up straight? These men will take Mr Becroft'ss advi-ft no doubt of it. A man who has the grit to ventilate such a matter as this, as Mr Becroft has, deserves ever after, to be looked upon as par excellence our municipal—nigger-driver.—l am, etc. JAS. REGAN.