THE DUNEDIN UNEMPLOYED.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 42, 31 August 1870, Page 5

THE DUNEDIN UNEMPLOYED.

t ‘ —o — Dunedin we learn that during the j |iny part of last week large numbers of , mien out of employment assembled in the Pity, in order to consult together as to the b best means to adopt to obtain employment fifrom the Government. From information us by a reliable correspondent JfflMi'e'can be little doubt that much distress and that a very large proportion p|j||jifese who assembled together were unto obtain employment of any descripv uvnr ’ were compelled through positive to band together and raise their United voices to the Government in sup- [ port of their application for work. On . the 22nd a mass meeting was held in the Octagon, attended by about 400 people, i of which number our correspondent as- , sures us that about one half were of the unemployed class. The men were very orderly and quiet in their behaviour, 1 although several spoke very strongly of the dire poverty which prevailed, and of the absolute necessity of the Government : providing employment of some description at a reasonable rate of wages. The irre- : pressible James Gordon Stuart Grant delivered an oration, in which the vituperative language which he so freely uses 1 was brought into play, the unfortunate members of the Executive being anathematized in the usual fashion, and political , men in general stigmatised as cravenhearted crawlers, miserable trucklers, swin- , dlers, and so on. Resolutions expressive of the contempt in which the Colonial Executive was held by all good and true men, were passed, and a deputation was appointed to wait on the Government to ascertain if there was any prospect of work ’ being obtained at a fair rate of wages. ’ No satisfactory reply being obtained | from the Government, it was announced that a mass meeting would be held on the following day in front of the terrace of the i Provincial Government buildings. A large crowd assembled at the appointed hour, Mr Grant acting as leader of the meeting. He mounted the steps of the terrace, and harangued the assemblage for a considerable time, inflaming the minds of the men, who SBijfeady considered themselves deeply inr®r4d individuals, to such a degree that a FpSribus riot was imminent. The police, 7 1 who had mustered in force, then took hold r j of Mr Grant, and ejected him from the ,: terrace. Several stones were thrown at , i the police ; and one man who advanced to p interfere with them was seized by a tall , member of # the “Branigan Clan," and . thrown “neck and crop” over the steps . il&to the crowd, to his evident astonish- , r |bbnt. Mr W. H. Reynolds, M. 11. R., was I Jerased and hooted, and finally had to be ' guarded to a place of security by four policemen. The mob then gradually dispersed. The Government afterwards is- | sued, a notice in the evening papers, atat- ’ ing that they were “ prepared to employ l %ny number of roadmen at road works—• H jllg&atiou of road, Tokomairiro to Tuapeka ( per diem." So that for the pro- '( seM any further apprehensions of a riot need not be entertained. Our correspondent informs us that several of the itnmij grants who recently arrived by the Leuca- ' clia and E. P. Bouverie had during the i past week been at work breaking stones i- at the Water of Leith, at 3s per yard, I paying out of that for the carting of the s dnbrokou metal—.hard, water-worn boulmirs, fromftho bod of the Leith—to where wiy are working, the sum of lOd par yard. They can hardly make enough to keep them in the burc necessaries of life; and some of them are well-nigh broken hearted at having the bright hopes of a happy future in their new home which they entertained before lauding, so completely dispelled, and at the gloomy prospect before them. To make matters ten times worse, the weather has been very bad, and continues so. Lot us hdpoMdiat with the coming summer matters wiJjW«imo a more cheerful aspect, and work r f enough for all.

CORRESPONDENCE}. [We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.] ; PUBLIC WANTS. To the Editor of the Cromwell Arous. Sir,-- -I see by the late Government Gazettes that we have got something at last: ten acres for a Cemetery, and a piece of ground, measuring something more than an acre, sot apart for a recreation ground. How this latter was got, or what motive the authorities had in applying for it, I cannot say ; but I hope it will be kept f)r the purpose for which it has been cot apart. I hope the local authorities will see that the laud is put to its proper use, but let them go about It in a business manner, and not ha actuated by favour or vindictive motives. Let them settle it in the same spirit as they did the water question. The thanks of the ratepayers are duo to the Mayor and Council in this matter, and if nothing else is done during the whole year, it will be satisfactory to have this much vexed question settled. Now that the Races are drawing near, ( I would respectfully draw the attention of the Council to the necessity of there being a piece of land set aside for a race-course, which should be 1 for the benefit of the Cromwell Jockey Club. ' We have a Mayor now who takes an interest in ; racing: perhaps he might he able to do some- ; thing in the matter. The Lower Flat must be ; loft open for the benefit of the district, and the Council must insist on it. We cannot do without it. If we are to keep pace or progress with the times, access must be had to the river frontage, for the benefit of the cattle, and also for the landing of timber. But lam sure this matter may with confidence be left in the Council’s ' hands. The miserable state of the cattle in the . district demands attention. The place is over- , stocked. I hear constant complaints from the ; Dunedin carriers of the disappearance of the stuffing from their collars and saddles. The . fact of the matter is, the cattle are starving. I ( believe Martin’s Act should be in force, to compel the owners to provide them with food, or remove them to better pasturage. If there were a limit to the number each owner is allowed to keep, this state of affairs might be remedied, and each citizen might have a chance of enjoying the privilege that the miner’s right gives. By that, each holder is allowed to keep two cows, and as : most of us possess that document, I believe we 1 should have all the benefits pertaining to it. But the question arises, is a squatter’s run ’ Crown Lauds ? My friend “ Still Waiting’’ ■ seems to be under a misapprehension’ about our public men. Ho thinks they consist of the Town Council alone. I argue wo have equally as useful bodies as the Corporation : as useful at least as that body has been hitherto. He seems to be i like the old woman with the big nose, who took everything on herself, because her nose was so big, it could not let anything past it. 1 would , strongly advise him to take a turn round the . Cromwell Cemetery, and see if the double gates i are not in want of repair, and if the paths are , not wanting some attention. He has accused me of oae-sidedaess : if the School Committee have provided the best place in the town, so much to their credit. It was not got withont some exertion on their part. With regard to tho Court-house and Post-office, I believe they are under tho consideration of the Government. I have no doubt we shall very shortly see some 1 very creditable buildings substituted for the old ’ ones. — l am, &0., More Ahox. Cromwell, August 27. TOWN AFFAIRS. 1 To the Editor of the Cromwell Argus. Sir, —I have nothing to do, and make up my ( mind to growl at everything and everybody. Beginning at the Town Council, as tho most prominent feature in the town : I don’t like them, as they can’t get on without rates. I can say, ' “Up with them—as long as they do not touch our pockets 1” What a pity they do not get up a dispute and neglect to assess us this year, o r leave it to the end of the year ! Then, I coulu turn round and say, “ The rates ought to be collected quarterly, but who is able to pay a whole year’s rates at one time, I would like to know ?’’ What a chance to shuffle out of it J But I don’t like shuffling, of all things. My father said, “ Pay your rates, my boy, and then you will be respected by your betters.” Well, I believe the , old boy was right then. Now if he had seen tho , way in which tho Cromwell Council spent the , money raised, I believe ho would not have been i so ready to put his hand into Ins pocket. There . was actually an account rendered for 31b best . sperm candles and I do not know how much . coal—anyway, nearly sufficient to keep any hotel . in the town ’going ; also an account for two shillings’ worth of writing-paper I The Town . Clerk ought to find all these things himself, and , appear respectable as well ; be always ready at the bock and call of the Mayor and Councillors ; , collect tho rates without tho ten per cent ; and shout for all hands at each public house every time he finds it part of his duty to call—shanties, ditto. lam all there for a drink on tho cheap, and shall ho on the look-out for him. Now, I ; say that 13* 8d a-week is by far too much for any Town Clerk : he will bo growing too fat and lazy—getting the gout, and getting extravagant —if hd lives up to his income, which I say he ought to, and contribute to all our public institutions, which I will here onumorate i Hospital, £o ; School, £3; Church, £s—Town Clerk must ho religious ; Library, £1 Is ; Jockey Club, £1 Is ; Subscription to do., £3 { Dunstsn do., £2 2a ; Nevis, £1 10s ; Sundry subscriptions during the year, £B. Ho should also/ keep the town race in repair, sweep the streets every Saturday, and in tho summer time water them to 1 lay tho dust. Tjje balance of his tiaio might be filled up byyfytclung a few buckms of water across tb^^q gR for tho especial I'Sefit of tho Mayor fd Councillors. —I am, &0.l 1 f .Nemo. 1 Cron |wen, August 29.