CELESTIAL ROADMEN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 193, 22 July 1873, Page 5

CELESTIAL ROADMEN.

To the Editor of the Cromwell Arous. SR,--The cry of "Progression" has become verjpopular, and has been in everybody's mouth of lite. In saying everybody, of course I do not lefer to the Chinese, because they have alwav? been considered an anti-progressive race of peojle. Easy-going, and old-fashioned in his habits.John will only betray passive indifference to any >ther mode of progression than his own—-self-adv,ncement. Number One is John's creed, and I re.Uv believe he does the best he can for that indvidunl. To be brisk, active, and vigorous is nit his forte. Long hours suit him better in disusing of his work than expediting its completior by means of a little more energy and strength. Still the opinion prevails, generally, that Chin Ten get through as much work in a day as Euroevis ; hut the idea also is common that to do s> they have to work longer hours. It is a sourct 0 f wonder, then, to me, that in these go-ahea' times tho slow-paoed. plodding Chinaman shoUd be permittel to drudge on any

. of tho public works of this flourishing Province, For, notwithstanding bJs many imperfections, John is a shrewd observer, and can boas s,*ari i./ of his labour as of his monev when he sees it is to his advantage lo be so. In ini Lifting new <l<vices, he is not to be commended, but iu imitn - iug he Ims no mean skill—indeed, it will gohir •', in somo eases, if he will not bettor his instructions. There is what is termed tho Government stroke, for instance. John seems thoroughly to understand and approve of this distinguished style of working. At least, the four or tivo Chinamen that are working on a portion of the Govenment road in this district seem to be fu'ly up to the mark in so far as regards a knowledge of the conventional manner of using pick and shovel whilst under Government employ. The Chinese are said to be steady, methodical workmen, and if these in question are like the rest of their countrymen in that respect, 1 am more rhan ever convinced that the Chinese are fairly entitled to the praiso so lavishly bestowed upon them. That the Chinese particularised display steadiness in an eminent degree any discerning pisser-by can see, although perhaps a p'ain, blunt man would call it by some other name. Nor can it be deemed that they are methodical. The method they have adopted, though, in this case is not one peculiarly their own. It has been in vogue both in Victoria and in this Colony for many years. It consists in a discreet use of pick and shovel, so as to preclude the possibility of anv moisture exuding through the pores of the skin. To acquire it is not difficult. It is as easy to learn as to follow, and the fatigue and exhaustion that generally attend labour, are by ! this method in a great measure obviated. j Whether they are punctual I know not, for I am unaware of the working hours of roadmen (that U, Chinese), but 1 have heard that they are always on the scene of their labour before ten o'clock, so perhaps that is the appointed hour for coming to work. And, no doubt on account of their having some distance to travel to their place of abode, some clemency is shown : these members of a persecuted and muchmaligned class, since they may be seen toiling homeward between four and five in the afternoon. To say that they have a dinner-hour would not be saying too much. Perhaps they have been granted an extension of time for procuring their noonday meal : at all events, they take it. What extent of road they have to cut, I am in ignorance of, but from their manner of working one would think that they expect to obtain permanent emp oyinent, for they are doing all they can to make the job a lasting one. Thinking to take a rise out of them as 1 passed the other rlav, 1 said to one of these Mongolian roadmen, " You too muchee gammon—too little I work." He spoke not, but gently closed one ! eye (it was too slow a movement to be called j winking), whilst a significant smile as gradually I overspread his olive-coloured features. He evi- ! dently " saweed." Cogitating as I strolled on- ; ward, and having in my mind's eye that of the j pantomimic Chinaman, the idea struck mo that I if hereafter I ever wished to make use of the old j saying, "Catch a weasel asleep," I would subi stitute the word Chinaman for weasel. But the Government always were kindly dis- ! posed towards the Celestials, and it may be that 1 now, considering the country never was so prosI perous, they feci more than ever inclined to be j indulgent to them. Be that as it may, the pub- | lie are not always satisfied when it is the imI pression of the " powers that bo" that they ought : to be, and iu many cases they would say, " Be | just before you are generous.''—l am, &c, Spkctator. Bannockburn, July 11, 1873.