NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY WORKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14146, 23 August 1909, Page 8

NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY WORKS.

Sir,—Lately you published a map showing where tho proposed deviation started, somewhere north of Kaiwaka. Tho latter place is, I believe, about 10 miles north of Topuni. No new work is going on north of the latter place, and yet a number of us have received notico that when we can wheel no higher on the filling near the tunnel our valuable services will not bo required. At the price allowed, and the angle we are wheeling now, it takes a fair average man, on a fine day, all his time to make 8s a day. A very light shower makes tho planks greasy, and practically stops work. As the planks are raised so our earnings will decrease until they reach vanishing point, and wo will be compelled to stop and seek other employment. The Public Works Department and Labour Department will then be able to say that they are not reducing hands, but men are leaving of their own accord. No doubt work will be found for tho "Main Trunkcrs " and other old hands, but it is a bit rough on a number like myself, who, after travelling miles and being months out of work, after going to the expense and trouble of pitching a winter camp, to lie turned adrift when work (bar cow-spanking) is still unobtainable. The ride that the last men put on are the first to go is a bit hard and would stand looking into. Many of us under notico to " wheel high " have others depending on our earnings. If it is want of cash I am prepared to take short-dated debentures for half my earnings. The Beachcomber.