THE RAILWAY DEPARTMENT AND PUKEKOHE SETTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9166, 22 September 1888, Page 3

THE RAILWAY DEPARTMENT AND PUKEKOHE SETTERS.

To THE EDITOR. Sir, —As an instance of how settlers are treated by the Government, no doubt you will remember that during the last session our representative, Mr. Hamlin, kindly supported by Messrs. Hobbs, La wry, and Goldie, interviewed the Minister of Public Works in reference to puriri sleepers in South Franklin district. After some persuasion, the Minister consented to take half the quantity that was split, and each settler who had sent in the number he had on hand was notified by circular to that effect. The price, however, was reduced from £20 per 100 to £16 ss. On the principle that) half a loaf is better than no bread, they set to work to cart in their sleepers. During the last month the state of the roads was so bad that it was at the risk of the life ot both man and horse that delivery at the station was effected. After due notice being sent) Mr. Coom (the resident engineer) that the sleepers were ready for inspection, the settlers were advised that the inspector would be up on the 11th inst. to pass. As advised, the inspector arrived on the 11th inst., and after turning over about 100 sleepers, he branded 10 as first-class. lam told on reliable authority that if he had been allowed to proceed he would not have branded 100 as first-class from a quantity of about 2000, which were delivered. Mr. Hamlin was wired to and promptly attended, and after examining the sleepers that had been condemned, could but justly pronounce them as good as any in the yard that had been branded on previous occa> sions. Mr. Hamlin then wired to Mr. Mitchelson requesting him to come tt Pukekohe and see the sleepers, but thab gentleman being engaged in Auckland, Mr. Hamlin was obliged to go to town to see him. As I have not seen Mr. Hamlin since I cannot state the result of the interview, but I presume, from a notice that has been posted up, that it had not the desired effect. The notice is to the effect that the Government will purchase first-class sleepers at 3s 3d, second-class 2s 9d. This is; exactly what was suggested by one of the principals who was present at the time of the wholesale condemning, viz., that all condemned should be taken as second class, but at a reduced price. I ask you, sir, Is this how hard-working, industrious people, should be treated at the hands of the Government? Would it not have been more honest for them to tell the settlers they did not require the sleepers than to try and fleece them in this fashion? The settlers are willing to leave the matter to arbitration, or to any uninterested person who is capable of judging, but strongly object to be placed at the mercy of unscrupulous people.— am, &c., Pukekohe West. James Roitlston.