WATER SUPPLY TO THE GOLDFIELDS.

Evening Star, Issue 3163, 9 April 1873, Page 3

WATER SUPPLY TO THE GOLDFIELDS.

To the Editor.

Sir,— The many attentions paid by the several correspondents to the I rovincial Press (Otano Daily Times, Evening Star, Otayo Witness, and last but not least, the most popular and wide spread, Naseby Chronicle), having reference to Contracts Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4, Head-race from the Manuherikia to Naseby, have been more than called for, and, Averc they left unchallenged, might pro'ong an injury, slight to me, but to the Avorking men of”Otago a serious one indeed, inasmuch as that, consequent on the spread of the aforesaid gratuitous attention 0 , they have been misled, and to some extent seated from-the works. Permit me to ask them to consider their OAvn interests better than that of being led away hy such one-sided nonsense, contributed by such would-be working men. Believe me, boys, it Avas no working man or navvj’ that Avrotc the letter signed “John Cameron,” appearing in the Otayo Witness of the 28th of March last. Neither was it any person that could have had your interests at heart. Try the contracts for yourselves ; remember Avho it is that requires your services. You know him well a thorough supporter of the eight-hour system; a largo employer of labor ; behind no contractor in the Province; gives and has given the highest Ayages going ; but he Avants navvies, or good pick-and ?hovel men—not loafers, and is now offering wages from eight to nine bob a day (of eight hours), in a tine healthy climate--dry—and guarantees that first-chop tucker costs no more than eleven bob a-Aveek- Moreover, no honest-looking or likely navvy is refused sustenance Avhen needed, although not earned ; as for a shakedown, we have plenty of tents ; it won’t run it to trust everybody with a new one, for all that, for Ave have had ’em shook already, and some folk might folloAV suit. A navvy on these works could never be a night without tentage, for birds of a feather will always flock together. . Any of my old good hands will get nine bob a-day ; come on then—there is full tAvelve months’ Avork before you, at higher Avages than can be had elscAvhere. Try your hand again for one who has always honestly paid you, and never dccei%*ed you, in word or deed. Let loafers croak ! You see to yourselves.—l am, &c , Wm. P. Pearce, Hill’s Creek, April 4. Contractor.