DISTRIBUTION OF IMMIGRANTS.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1726, 15 July 1874, Page 2

DISTRIBUTION OF IMMIGRANTS.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.)

Sib,—l, see by the papers that the Waikato district, and also the residents of-Tauranga have applied fcr a fair pro? portion of emigrant labor to assist in carrying out the different works necessary and peculiar to their district wants. I have waited some considerable time to see what proportion of our influx of population would be allotted to the Thames, but we seem to be left out in the cold; and, although the second on the list of the towns in the Auckland Province, seem to be ignored as to any claim to the assistance of male or female emigrants. We certainly do want help in carrying out our public works, and it would not be amiss if a ticket were posted up in the Auckland emigration barracks "that there is scarcely a handy man to be had on the Thames;''and that our stonebreakers are earning on an average from eight to twelve shillings per diem. Our mining population need not be in the least fear that some few scores of new hands will interfere with their rate of wasf es, as a man not a miner is just as useless in a mine as they themselves were before they knew the trade, and therefore are not likely to cut their wages down., I know it for a fact that one contractor has stated il to be his intention to send south for labor—not becaure he won't pay a fair price for it—simply because it is not to be had here. The same remarks apply to bush hands wanted for splitting and sawing: the material is there, but it wants men to cut it. The Thames pays proportionately towards emigration, and surely it is entitled to its fair share in the allocation of emigrants that may be sent to New Zealand. lam perfectly certain that the Thames would give quite as hearty a reception to a party of new chums as that they receive at the; Auckland barracks. But on» condition must be observed—the Thames does not; want loafers. . H

Obsebyeb.