The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning. Saturday, November 12, 1887. HARBOUR WORKMEN.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 66, 12 November 1887, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning.

Saturday, November 12, 1887. HARBOUR WORKMEN.

Be just and fear not; Let all the ends thou aim’st at be thy country's, Thy God's, and truth’s.

For some time past we have heard sounds of grumbling from the workmen employed on the harbour works, the alleged cause being the actions of the overseer, Mr Becheno.

Although we have made enquiries from some of the men, they appeared to be reticent in their conversation as to any specific charges. We have heard it said that there was great favouritism shown in the engaging of hands, and certain direct charges could be brought against the overseer. In so large a work where the number of hands employed must be considerable, there is sure to be some dissatisfaction expressed by one or two of the men, and well knowing this we regarded the complaints with a good deal of suspicion.

Of course men who are depending for their living on the work on which they are engaged are naturally reserved in complaining against those who employ them, and although there may be grievances they would rather bear them than run any chance of dismissal. The charges, however, have now been reduced to writing, and have been signed by a number of the workmen. The petition for enquiry is under the consideration of the Board, and though it has not yet been made public, we are led to believe that it contains charges which, if true, should procure the instant dismissal of Mr Becheno. The allegations said to be set forth to the Harbour Board are that the Overseer has taken upon himself to have certain contract work performed other than according to specification, and that certain work is being overpaid for. Questions are also asked which may or may not be satisfactorily explained, but which, in the interests of Mr Becheno, and the workmen should be explained. Directly speaking these eharges are the outcome of a general dissatisfaction in the Overseer, and the men appear to be confident that an enquiry by the Board will place matters on a very different footing than is at present the case. It is said that men have been engaged from outside places on the understanding that they were to have lengthy engagements, but, after having brought their wives and families down, have been discharged for no earthly reason, other than making room for single men. Further than this it is asserted that the truck system is being openly carried on in one direction, and that the Engineer cannot but be cognisant of the fact.

In the interests of all parties these charges should be fully enquired into and, if there is the least ground for complaint immediate steps must be taken to remove the possibility of any such complaint, in the future, by taking from the Overseer power to do such things. We have often noticed that outside workmen have been employed on the work when good local men could have been obtained. There may be reasons for this, but it will take a good deal to convince us of the necessity for it. It is only due to the Overseer that an investigation should be speedily made, for it is necessary he should be cleared of such grave charges if there is no foundation for them. As we have said before, if there is, it will be necessary for the Board to take such action as will thoroughly meet the case.