THE GOVERNMENT STROKE.

Evening Star, Issue 3409, 24 January 1874, Page 3

THE GOVERNMENT STROKE.

A good story is told of an incident'which happened in the course of a certain worthy District Engineer’s visits of inspection on the district roads. After passing through Blanktown, he came upon one of the roadmen doing the “ Government stroke” right “ up to the handle”-—that is, quietly sitting by the roadside doing a smoke. “Fine day,” said the Engineer. “ Lovely day it is,” was the courteous reply. “ You are taking it rather easy, are you not?” asked the Engineer. “Not an (adjective) bit,” replied the other ; 4 ‘ eight bob a day won’t run much more than I have done this morning already. ” “ But ain’t you afraid F s might be coming round sometime or other;; he would hardly like this way of doing things.” “ F —"? ! why the (strong noun) hasn’t been this way fot more than a week; at least, so my (adjective) mate (pointing a mile or two furtaer ahead) says.” “Oh, then you haven’t been long on the job, and don’t know F s?” “hot I; never saw the (another strong noun).” “Oh I (from the D.E. ) ; well, so long J” and off he rode. Report says that the District Engineer would not lose that man’s services for a great deal, but he has shifted him to a place where he is under the constant eye of one of his most vigilant and exacting overseers. Report fmther says the man will know the (strong noun) Ps whenever and wherever be meets him in future. The moral of courde is that all good roadmen should be ■ personally acquainted with their District Engineer.