The Mount Somers Railway-Work for the Unemployed.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 175, 25 October 1880, Page 2

The Mount Somers Railway-Work for the Unemployed.

The following letters just received by his Worship the Mayor (and to whom we are indebted for copies), contain information that will be gratifying both to the unemployed and to the residents in the county, inasmuch as the formation of the Mount Somers railway, even if only a short length, brings the line one step nearer completion, while the contract mentioned will find work for a certain number of men quite near to the township ;

His Worship the Mayor. Windermere, 23rd October, 1880.— Sir, —The enclosed letter, 4868, in reply to the petition of the unemployed is forwarded for your information, and will, I hope, be deemed satisfactory.—Yours, &c., Edward G. Wright.

E. G. Wright, Esq., M.H.R. Public Works Office, Wellington, 19th October, 1880.—Sir,— I am directed by the Minister for Public Works to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th September enclosing a petition from certain of the unemployed, and in reply to state that the policy of the Government is to reduce the number of men directly employed by it at reduced wages as much as possible, and with this view they are anxious to avoid multiplying centres at which such employment is given. Under these circumstances the Minister has been unable to comply with the prayer of the petition, but in order to meet the case, or at any rate partially so, directions were yesterday issued to the Engineer in Charge, Middle Island, to prepare for contract, and call for tenders, a short length of formation on the Mount Somers line.—l have, &c., John Knowles, Under Secretary for Public Works.