WAIPORI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 356, 16 May 1874, Page 2

WAIPORI.

(From a Correspondent) May Bth. Curiosity led me last Saturday to pay Bruit to the Waipori Channel, where I found there, were about 160 men and S horses and tip dray* engaged on the works. To a superficial obserrer everything was apparently progressing satisfactorily (the mea having had two consecutive weeks of full time) ; but on mixing promiscuously with them I found that they considered they had a grievance, in not being paid fortnighly instead of monthly, a* at present, and had come to the determination to strike work after receiving their pay on Monday. On that evening an open air meeting was held outside Mr. Crawford s house, when a great deal of eloquence was displayed by m few who do not belong to the 1.6.0. G.T. The result of the meeting, however, culminated in a deputation waiting on Mr. Crawford with a petition, the following being a copy of the same :—": — " Waipori, May sth. A petition to Mr. Crawford for fortnightly pay. The fol- " lowing is the list of names." (Here follow -*~ the signatures, all in one handwriting.) An answer was sent by Mr. Crawford somewhat to the following effect: — "I have received, your requisition re fortnightly payTto which I cannot agree," and called their attention to the fact that about seven-eighths were men not in his employ, and suggesting the advisability of their applying to their own employers for what they requested. The fol« lowing is a copy of a notice afterwards received by Mr. Crawford :— " May 5, 1874. We, the working Poppeling of the wopoia flat, is united togery for A fortnight Pay, it not nesest for to put the nemas to this notace you. have the list of them*" They do not appear to have been able to raise a secretary amongst them, as the above was not signed by any on* on behalf of the "working Poppeling." I believe the Chinese " boss " was called in to interpret, which he did as follows :—": — " Some white men wanted to pop their toggery for % fortnignt to buy blandy, and he thought tome had very littee toggery to pop," As intimidation was threatened to prevent any one resuming work, the assistance of the police was called in, but fortunately was not required. To-day, lam informed that about one hundred men resumed work yesterday, and about fifty more this morning, so I conclude the " working Poppeling '* have given in. While on the subject of the Channel, I may mention that I was informed by practical j men that unless the rides of the Channel are protected by* sodding, the Government » simply throwing about ten thousand pound* away. I believe there are still a few of the members of tie Channel Committee to the fore, who ought to see into this matter. Business hwe is quiet, most of the miner* being engaged on the Channel. All the stir is about the Lower Crossing. No more at present.