TRAMWAY-DRIVERS’ HOURS.

Evening Star, Issue 6472, 13 December 1883, Page 4

TRAMWAY-DRIVERS’ HOURS.

TO THB EDITOR, Sin,—Your correspondent 4< W.D,” has got rather mixed in regard to this matter when he charges me with asserting an untruth. Even admitting that some of the jury did ask the Coroner and Mr Craig as to whether the work was not too much for the deceased Townsend, their negative replies simply mean that they did not think so. This testimony does not prove that it was not. With regard to Townsend not complaining to his son, I reply that some men are not given to complaining. This non-complaining proves nothing. While agreeing with "W.D.” that drink was the direct agent by which deceased met his death, it may not have been the primary cause. When the vital forces are on the wane, as they generally are at fifty, twelve and fourteen hours a day for months at a stretch, exposed to our New Zealand weather, must have a bad effect upon a man’s constitution. What homo comfort and recreation may be obtained when a man starts work at 6 a.m. and finishes at 8 p.m. ? Certainly not enough to recoup his system for the labors of next day. Thu& artificial strength is sought by the aid of stimulants. The balance is lost; result: mental, moral, and physical ruin. While not insisting that the present is a case in point, I think, sir, that there are strong grounds for the over-work theory, and as the jury did not deny that the work was too much for a man {vide “W.D.’s” letter), the logical conclusion is it was too much for Townsend,—l am, etc., Chris. W. Gbob«s, Ravensbourne, December 13.