THE UNEMPLOYED.

Evening Star, Issue 4209, 23 August 1876, Page 3

THE UNEMPLOYED.

The office of the Engineer for Roads to-day received numerous visitors in response to the official advertisement that the Department wouldgiveemploymenttothosewho professed to be in search of it, and up to 3 p.m. there had been received, the names of 135 persons, who state they will accept the employment that is offered them by the Government. We are informed that anticipating the demand, which is usual at this period of the year, to provide work the Government decided some time since upon constructing a road between the Port and Blueskin, and on it for four or five weeks any men who have volunteered were at once set. Of the 135 who appeared at the Works Office to-day, it is not believed more than half will report themselves to the Inspector, and if they do so will turn to work. Some thirtyfive were applicants for and undertook to accept employment under the Corporation, but exhibit no disposition to set to work at stone-breaking. All who have presented themselves at the Provincial Engineer’s office have been given to understand that the rate of pay—six shillings a day—now offering Will not be continued longer than the end of the present month, when it will be reduced to five shillings, but tents are provided when it is satisfactorily shown that the men are themselves not in a position to buy them. Mr Green was more than once waited upon today by the men, to whom he appeared anxious to give the fullest information ; but he steadfastly declined to have any communication with the well-known M‘Laren, who brought along with him what he was pleased to regardasashcckingilluatratiouof what the Government stroke at six shillings meant; M ‘Laren, however, did not appear to relish the reply that was made him, to the effect that it would be better for him if he could exhibit blistered hands, the result of legitimate labor.