THE COMPLAINT AGAINST THE RANKLEBURN PUNTMAN. (To the Editor.)

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXV, Issue 4253, 29 June 1895, Page 3

THE COMPLAINT AGAINST THE RANKLEBURN PUNTMAN. (To the Editor.)

Sib, — In your issue of the 15th inst., in the report of the proceedings of the Tuapeka County Council, appears a letter from Mr J. Paterson, puntman at RanLleburn, te a complaint made to the Council by me some few weeks ago. Paterson says that he was at dinner when I went to the punt, and that he would cross me in a few minutes. Now, such a statement is not correct. The facts are as follow : — When I arrived at the punt with my team, Paterson wa3 engaged in crossing teams (three.) On my attempting to go on to the punt, he stopped me, and refused to cross me unless I paid him, as he said it was his dinner-hour (12 to 12.30), although in reality it was twenty minutes to one. I refused to pay, on the ground that he had crossed other teams free of charge. If Mr Paterson had been at his dinner, as he asserts in his letter to the Council, I should not have troubled him to cross me until he had finished ; but I know the hours he has to himself and on that account did not hurry myself to get there too soon. I am also well acquainted with the rules and regulations attached to the working of the punt, having on several occasions worked the punt during the ex-puntman's (Mr Buchan) absence. If Mr Paterson wishes to complain let him stick to the truth. " Facts are chiels that winna ding." — I am, etc., Thomas Weir. Tuapeka West, 4th June.