TIRAUMEA ROAD WORKS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8245, 8 August 1892, Page 6

TIRAUMEA ROAD WORKS.

to ths editor or thb fbbss. Sib, —I am not very good writing for the Press, but I will do my best, and no one can do more. Having seen the account of the hardships the meu endured, and being one of the party myself, I think it but fair that I should have something to say in the matter. Uur friend left camp on Sunday, July 31st, as he volunteered to take a telegram for Mr Polstou to Eketahuna by himself, not caring much how it went with him in crossing the rivers as long as he got away. So we left camp on August Ist, and with a struggle made fiketahuua the same night, only to learn that we had to sign a paper before we could get anything to eat. Tired and worn out we got to bed. On Tuesday we had orders from our General to meet the one o'clock train. Now for the red tape. We had ten days' wages to receive, so instead of wireing to the P.O. Bank to pay. Two men, I was going to say gentlemen, but I will not, as 1 was standing on the platform, when I heard one address an old mate of his, one of our party, being an old lumper in Wellington, with "Good morning! What is this tale you have in the papers?" I told him it was facts, and he would find it so. Well, we adjourned to the ladies' waiting room, where we were asked to return to the Tiraumea on Wednesday morning. Our Wellington friend answered " Yes," but most of us not speaking, as we did not intend to return as the slips will not last long and we should be further in debt. Mr McKay asked where we were going, when we told him we were going to Wellington to see some of the Christchurch members. But we thought it was not good enough to walk twenty-seven miles in then to get paid two or three notes and then walk back up to our knees in water and mud. Now, Sir, if this is our Labour Bureau, the sooner it is wiped out the better, and I assure you it is true. lam prepared to go before a J. P. and swear to it at any moment, or to meet Mr Reeves in private or public and tell him to his face about his Government swindle, aud more than that, I am prepared to put my shoulder to the wheel with the working men of Christchurch and at the next election we will put Mr Reeves at the bottom of the poll he so quickly climbed. If this is the way he .is serving the working man how can he expect us to keep him in a billet! Sir, I could give you more, but I will wait for Mr Reeves as X hear he is denying our statement, and then I will square up with it. Sir, thanking you for allowing mc to go so far into the matter, and asking you to excuse all mistakes, I remain, —Yours, &c, One of the Transports.