OHURA RAILWAY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 435, 31 January 1912, Page 5

OHURA RAILWAY.

—♦ -- WORKMEN DISSATISFIED. The work on the Ohura railway, which has been proceeding at Te Korua for some time was somewhat interrupted during thy past week. Men to the number of fifty have been employed on the works, and considerable discontent has been expressed at the rate of pay, that it ha 3 been possible to make. The men complain also that there was no system or method in the work. They did not know whether they were on co-opera-tive work or not. No contract was signed by the working parties. Men, thev declare, who earned lis 6d a nay on the Midland railway construction could make no more than 7s 2d a day at Te Koura.

The discontent reached a climax on Monday and a number of the men ceased work, while the rest, although many of them are discontented, remain on. Most of those who have gone have not lifted their pay. leavng it to the boardinghousc keeper to collect for them. The men say that some of the gangs only got 6s a day, other 7s 2d, others Bs, while the day wages men also received the latter sum. The biggest pay that has been received was 9s Sd a day by one gang only. In view of the urgency of the work it is extremelv unfortunate that the hitch has occurred. It is anticipated that upwards of 150 men will shortly be employed on the work, and it is imperative that all grievances should be adjusted at the earliest possible time. Naturally there is more or less trouble in establishing organisation at the start of big works and there is little doubt that the present trouble will be satisfactorily arranged.