A Warning.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 158, 16 July 1901, Page 2

A Warning.

(To the Editor of the Times.) Sir,— A sheep farmer came to mo, requiring some work done, repairs and alterations. The first question he asked was, “ Aro your men insured ? ” I asked, “ Why ? ” He said, “If they aro not I will have to insure them.” I said, “ Why ? ” Ho replied, “To protect myself.” I replied, “ That is common sense in the case of a man of straw; but as far as my men are concerned they aro already protected," But there is another thing to look at. In the future 1 shall take good care that my sub-contractors’ men are insured. I will not allow him to have a man at work who is not insured. Who is -to pay for it ? The public must. The ordinary contractor will see that he is protected. But it will be very necessary for people who employ men to do odd jobs to be careful about the matter, for if such a one gets hurt the owner of the property will he liable, or the person to whom it is mortgaged. It will also be necessary for the shareholders of Building Societies to enquire as to whether the directors are fully protecting them, for in the case of such mortgages the Society may be come upon, and a great proportion of the shareholders’ savings thus lost to them, simply because a man employed to do minor work has met with an accident without precaution having been taken to have him insured. The only remedy will be for all classes Of work to be given to contractors with a regular staff of men. —I am, etc., Weary Willie.