CAMP GRIEVANCES.

Patea Mail, 12 August 1880, Page 3

CAMP GRIEVANCES.

—ln your issue of the 3rd hist.) certain complaints have been laid before the public in reference to management and treatment of the men called unemployed. Permit me, as an overseer or ganger, to deny in totojthc complaints of one George Bennett, so far as my conduct towards the men is concerned. I have occupied the same position I now hold under the Government for some months past, and have seldom, if ever, hoard such complaints from worthy men, who come upon the works with the determination to act fairly and do as fair a day’s work for the Government as they would be expected to do for a private contractor. But in this particular case, such an idea seemed to be entirely out of the question j and when certain men, particularly the men from Patea, found they could not do what is called a “Government stroke,” tbeir complaints were loud and long against everything in general and gaugers in paiticnlar. I could dwell at length upon the general gait and disposition for work of some of the men, particularly two of them. Suffice it to say I deem them anything but a fair sample of workingmen, and it is a satisfaction for me to know that at present I have no more such specimens. Certain dissatisfaction seemed to exist as to tools and harrows. All I can say to this is, the tools arc new and probably a little too heavy.—l am, &c. John Powell.