IMPORTED NAVVIES.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12499, 9 May 1906, Page 4

IMPORTED NAVVIES.

(SI'ECIAI. TO " THK PRESS ") WELLINGTON, May 8. Somo forty navvies, who arrived by the Tongariro to-dny, niade early application to tho Labour Department, &id were exceedingly sni-prised when tl'.ey found there were no billets awaiting them. They were, however, to!d to call again, and it w> understood they will bo sent on to tho North leland Main Trunk lux-6 and other works. They eeein a, suitable class for pick and shovel work. Some of the men declared that if they didn't pet work, tho Government would h«ve to s«nd them back again. Some of Item who have a little money, have decided to take up land if they can get it. The men ;xot out for £10. Only two of them have brought their families with thorn. Questioned as to what kind of mfn had arrived, one of the party said, "Oh, all sorts, from all parts of the Old Country. There are chnps from L-n?- ,- ---catshire and Yorkshire, and other places —mine it*, and labourers, and farm hands. Some of them who started out <ns navvies have changed their min'te curing tlit* voyage. They happen to liavo a littlo bit of money, and they have decided to take tip land." How in London ? asked tho interviewer. "• Oh, real bad. There nro thousands of chaps out of work, and if only they hud money they'd come out here to try their liuk. Only two # of the navvies have brought out their wives. The other married chaps are going to iind out first what kind of country this :*, and wliat sort of job they're getting, hpfore they ppnd Homo for the Mia-us and the kids."