THE WEST COAST RAILWAY WORKS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5762, 17 September 1879, Page 3

THE WEST COAST RAILWAY WORKS.

(Bt Rambler.) Fine days having been the exception rather than the rule in Wellington for some time past, a contemplated visit to the railway works in the Kaiwarra valley had been postponed by me from day to day. This morning, however, broke with such unraistakeabie promise of favoring the inhabitants of the “ Empire oitv” for once with Queen’s weather, that I determined to leave my couch somewhat earlier than is my wont, and wend my footstep: towards the present scene • f activity beyond Wadestown. Proceeding by way of Tinakoriroad I readied the road known as Rhodes's, following which I gradually ascended the hill immediately behind Thorndon. The ascent reveals one of the best views of the city and harbor it is possible to obtain, and the many pleasantly situated residences passed on the route with their neatly laid out flower grounds, form far from unpleasiug features of the coup U'teil. The splendid residence of the late Mr. Rhodes, which presents a bleak and exposed appearance as viewed from town, is found upon a closer inspection to be pleasantly situated, the view which it commands, and the shrubberies and gardens contiguous to it, rendering the whole property a most desirable one. Indeed. I must plead guilty to certain feelings of envy as I gazed admiringly upon this and other suburban properties of rny more fortunate fellow creatures ; tut I consoled myself with the reflection that when the new era dawns which is confidently expected to be the result of recent elections in the “liberal" interests, I will be enabled to obtain a fair share of the good things of this world. Passing on over the brow of the hill, a short walk brought me to the village of Wadestnwn, which at present is only represented by a few scattered cottages, each being very prettily situated. This locality will no doubt become a desirable one for building purposes as soon as the new railway is completed. A short distance beyond Wadestown the new works come into view. The operations extend for a distance »f from a mile and a half to two miles, there being between 300 and 400 men engaged. The men are divided into gangs, each being under the charge of an overseer or ganger. Some are employed at the approaches to a tunnel above Kaiwarra, while others are at work at various stages along the town side of the Kaiwarra Valley. The largest gang consists of about 34 men, who are engaged at a heavy piece of work, the principal feature of which is to fill up a deep gully with the debris taken from a heavy cutting which has just been commenced close by. At the bottom of this gully runs a tiny stream, and a number of the gang are engaged in forming a new course for this stream along the side of the hill, by which it will be led across the line at a point beyond the embankment, which will bar its present coarse. Two horses and carts are now at work in the cutting, and these will give place next week to a tramway, when greater progress will be made. A considerable distance beyond I observed another gang at work, and in order to get there I followed a winding track that led round the hill which is being cut into, and down towards the Kaiwarra stream. This rivulet is crossed by means of a log felled across the stream, the track then making a sharp ascent towards a homestead. Following this track for a short distance further, I came to a notice posted up to the effect that there was no thoroughfare, and that trespassers would be prosecuted, and as in my search for knowledge I did not desire to run the risk of making my bow to our worthy R.M., I determined to retrace my steps. I afterwards noticed the main road winding around the hills at a higher elevation than the track in question. This road would probably have taken me to the spot I had been desirous of reaching, hut I had not sufficient time at my disposal to “ try back.” From various inquiries which I made, I ascertained that the men are in receipt of wages varying from ss. to 7s. per day. The majority of those in receipt of the smallest sum tfamed are what are termed “ bush-haulers,” or men engaged in advance of the navvies in clearing the Hue of scrub, etc. The system has been adopted of engaging men at the low rate, and increasing their pay according to merit. This has been found necessary, as many of the men are new to the work of a navvy, and it is consequently impossible to ascertain what they are worth until it is seen “ how they shape.” It must, however, be admitted that a man is a sorry workman indeed if he does not earn more than ss. a day, and consequently increases are soon made if the meu prove themselves worthy of being employed at all. A system of weeding has also been adopted by which a number of men are being discharged, only the best workmen being retained. The weeding is being extended to all, irrespective of their rate of pay. Some grumbling of course results from this amongst the men who are discharged, but this is only natural under the circumstances, and may readily be excused. The whole of the men now employed seem to be a steady, industrious class, and amongst them are a few of the recently arrived immigrants per Eakaia. I was informed that there are eight gangers, the majority of whom are well spoken of. There are three, however, who do not appear to be held in very high esteem, they keeping the men very closely to their work. In this, of course, they do not exceed their duty, although those under them may object to such close supervision. One man who told me he had just been what he euphemistically termed “sacked,” stated that the gangers indicated would discharge a man if he stopperl to breathe, or if be spoke to his mate, and that they were occasionally inclined to figure as bullies. This information, coming as it did from a discharged hand, I was inclined to take cunt grano salts. I may, however, remark that the man’s statement is borne out by rumors which have been freely circulating during the past few da}a. In fact, it is said that the conduct of some of the overseers has been so tyrannical that a few of their meu have already thrown up their work in disgust. If this is so some check upon the gangers complained of should be resorted to, in the interests of the general body of workmen. The hours of work are eight per day, the day’s labor commencing at 8 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m., one hour being allowed for the mid-day meal. There is uo spell for “ smoke, ho," although I believe the men are occasionally allowed to smoke while at work. About a third of the men return to town at the end of each day’s work, while others remain upon the ground—some residing in tents, and others being boarded and lodged at two estui.”'hrne'-ls, Messrs. Duggan’s and Macdonald.-. - dch have lately been started. The prices cL. iged for accommodation are very reasonable. Such stores as the men are likely to need are kept here, and there is a bootmakers shop going up. There are two blacksmiths’ shops, to which the men have to travel to get their tools sharpened. Sunday life amongst the navvies is said to be very monotonous, but this might be relieved to a considerable extent were some steps taken to provide them with useful books and periodicals. A visit to these works would be au agreeable outing for anyone desirous of getting away from the dust and turmoil of the city. I for one, have thoroughly enjoyed my short excursion to the Kaiwarra Valley, and I hope upon a future occasion to be able to again visit the works, when I will be able to spend more time in gathering general information, and thus be able to place before the readers of the New Zealand Times something more worthy of perusal than the present effusion. September 16.