“NOT IF YOU ARE A STOKER"

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 229, 22 June 1921, Page 7

“NOT IF YOU ARE A STOKER"

RECENT PETONE HAPPENINGS.

"Yes, we have accommodation here.” "Of course, my hours will be rather awkward, as I'm working on shift. "Where are you working?" asked the landlady. "I'm one of the new men at the

Petone Gasworks,” replied the man. “Well, you liad better not stay here," was the rejoinder. "With a polite “Thank you,” the man raised his hat and walked, away. The foregoing conversation was overheard by a reporter on Monday afternoon, when one of the newly-engagod stokers at the gasworks knocked at the door of a certain boarding establishment in Petone, and made application for board and lodging. The man, whose people reeido in Wellington, appeared to regard the refusal of accommodation in a philosophical manner, and merely remarked to the reporter that "such was life." Through the agency of a friend he was able to obtain board elsewhere in the district. In another case, it is alleged that a married man, who had come down from Masterton, had, upon receipt of engagement, cancelled the rooms which he purposed occupying in Wellington, and had taken his household effects out to •Petone on the understanding that tho rooms, which he had subsequently "booked” there, would bo available for him and his family. Upon arrival, however, it is stated that he was informed that ho could not have the rooms, as children were objected to. Another worker informed a reporter yesterday that he had been in occupa tion of rooms, and was given "notice to quit," with which order ho was obliged to comply and make other arrangements for his accommodation. The same man states that he entered an hotel on Monday morning, and called for a bottle of ginger beer. As it appeared that his order had not been heard, he repeated it, remarking that he was in a hurry to catch a train. This time he received a reply. "Where are you working?" he was asked.

"Wliafe that to do with you ?’’ was his reply. "I want to know,” from the other side of tho bar.

"Well, if you must know, I’m working at the gasworks." > "You can buy your drinks elsewhere, then.”

It is understood that the council will, if necessary, find accommodation for tho men at th® works.