A COMPLAINT.

Waikato Times, Volume VIII, Issue 487, 3 July 1875, Page 3

A COMPLAINT.

To -the Editor of the Waikato Times. Sir, — I beg leave throagh the medium of your columns to bring before the public a case which I to be one of very harsh treatment on the ■part of the Government. On *my arrival in this province about four months a.go, I obtained employment at my trade as a shoemaker, and aleo f situations for four of my children. I had even promised the persons with whom my eldest (daughter was placed that she should remain with them for a year. I was, however, very soon compelled by the Government agent to proceed to Waikato, and was even forced to bring all my family with me, including the girl 1 had agreed should remain for twelve months in her then isituation. Before being sent from Auckland I was promised by the Government agent that a house would be provided for myself and family for ,a short time, rent free,; arid that, at the expiration ,of that time, I should be allowed to .retain possession of it at a rental of a few shillings per week. Now for Jbhe harsh treatment I complain of. With the exception of the Government buildings, there jis not a vacant house in Cambridge, and it would be simply impossible for me, a working shoemaker, £0 lodge myself, wife and ten children, in an hotel Yet in the face, of this, six weeks ago, in very in--clement weather, I got notice to quit from the authorities, unless I paid : 10s a week for each room., ,and, with respect to decency and health, it required ,at least three of those rooms far the accommodation of my family. Moreover, there is .no timber to be had in Cambridge at present, or I should Jbave en.deavoured to put up some sort of shelter,. Had it not boen for the kindness of Mr Camp, who at much inconvenience to himself has given me the :UBe of a .room in his store, we should be -now, in the middle of winter, without the shelter of a roof, for I need scarcely say how impossible it is that a working man can pay ,30s a week for rent, and at the same time provide food and clothing for a large family.— Yours, &€. James McFarlanp. 4, Cambridge, June 25th, 1875.