The Pahiatua Herald with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1894. AN INJUSTICE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 228, 16 November 1894, Page 2

The Pahiatua Herald with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1894. AN INJUSTICE.

This morning we were waited on by representatives of the co-operative workmen employed in the construction of *he line between Ngawapurua and Eketahuna, who directed our attention to the fact that Mr C. L. Cook, resident engineer in charge of the railway construction in this district, was shortly to be removed to another district. The men expressed the greatest indignation at the fact that, in consequence of some complaints made by those employed on the Woodville end of the line, Mr Cook should have been removed without some inquiry having first been made. They assorted that every workman on the line admitted that from Mr Cook he had always had fair play and consideration. Most of their grievances could be remedied by the heads of the Department. As far as Mr Cook was concerned every man expressed regret that a careful and thoroughly conscientious officer should have been subjected to such an indignity to please a few maloontents. It seems to us that a gross injustice has been perpetrated. In consequence of complaints made by interested, and therefore prejudiced workmen, the engineer has been subjected to actual insult by being held guilty of some offence or other without being afforded an opportunity of having the complaints enquired into. Some of the co-operative workmen expressed themselves very strongly on the subject, affirming that had Mr Cook, instead of being a conscientious man of independent character, been a truckler or a time-server, content to subordinate his duty to convenience, he would not have been treated with such extraordinary discourtesy. One fact is certain. The Government have given to the younger engineers on the lines a very instructive object lesson. They have practically cautioned them that if they would re- ] tain their billets they must truckle to j the men and heed their every whim ; otherwise they might find themselves i deposed by a Government which (this last action compels us sorrowfully to I say) is prepared to humour the workIjnan to the detriment of Lis officers, i and at the expense of justice' and fair j play. We look upon the removal of j Mr Cook as degrading to the Government, and in that light it is also viewed j by nearly every man on the co-opt rai live works.