BIDDY'S FALSEHOOD RE CONTRACTORS AND CHAIRMAN'S ACTION.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 5354, 26 November 1885, Page 2

BIDDY'S FALSEHOOD RE CONTRACTORS AND CHAIRMAN'S ACTION.

[to the editor.] Sin, — As you may have some reluctance in replying to the question affecting myself contained in the letter above referred to in your issue of this morning, permit me to supply the answer. First, I have no partner in my shipping business. The gentleman referred to has an interest in one of my steamers, but that interest no more constitutes him a partner of mine than yours, Mr Editor, in the Grey River Argus constitutes you a partner of the contractors in question. There was, therefore, no partnership to dissolve. " Biddy" is content that her husband has employment under the contractors, but that is not a matter for the Harbor Board, though there are many " Biddies" whose husbands are idle, and ought to be employed on these works. I can assure "Biddy" (or Jeameus) that rriy action is not the result of ill-humour or antagonism to the present contractors. I was quite as pleased as any member of the board when they obtained the contract, and it is painful to myself to have so frequently to call attention to the delay in prosecuting these works. No matter who were the contractors, my action would be the same under like circumstances. In conclusion, permit me to repeat what I stated at Monday's meeting— " That if Government engineers were carrying on these works, and only employing one-fourth ( of the labor authorised, judging from past experience, the voice of every member of the Board which is now silent on that' subject would be heard on the public 1 platforms of Greymouth and echoed in our public pros", denouncing the iniquity j of the Government engineers, their incompetence for their positiqti, and want of sympathy with the working man."— I am, &c. Martin Kennedy. Greymouth, 25th November, 1885. J