CHANGING THE GAUGE OF THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 657, 20 November 1874, Page 3

CHANGING THE GAUGE OF THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

A Bath correnpondent writing to the London Times says During tho last few days the “Groat Western” have been hard at work changing about 2CQ miles of their “broad gauge” into tho narrow gauge system ; for this purpose they have had nearly 2000 men at work almost night and day, and others seventeen hours per day, yet they declared they were better without beer. Though the company put this restriction upon the men, yet they were not indifferent to their wants in this particular; they provided an abundance of oatmeal, sugar and pure water, and for every gang of twenty men or so, one man was set apart whose duty it was to prepare this oatmeal beverage, Ac., which the men heartily enjoyed, many of them testifying that they preferred it to beer ; and the company were quits satisfied that the work was done much better and sooner than it would have been if the usual allowance of beer had been given. What will those respectable M.P.'a say to this when they get np in tho House of Commons and say that the working man cannot do without his bear ? It needs no further comment beyond that temperance and prohibition are conducive to health and commercial prosperity. The Great Western Company were afraid that if the men were allowed the beer the work would not be so well done, and instead of a few days only being required for tho alteration of gnu"”, it might take weeks and even months, and life and property might be placed in great risk.