AN ARCHDEACON BREAKING STONES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2462, 21 April 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN ARCHDEACON BREAKING STONES.

Forty-two of the unemployed in Sheffield have been engaged by the Highway Cmrrnittee at the Corporation Stoneyard, and as these men were cutlery artisans they complain that they have suffered severelv from the work. Archdeacon Blacken>y, D.D. the vicnr of Sheffield, accompanied by the Rev. F. W. Goodwyn, vicar of Shavrow, (where the unemployed marched in procession to worship on Snnday, February 12th), proceeded to the stoneyard to see for himself the nature of the work. Having watched the men for some time, he asked to be permitted to try his hand at the task, and Mr Goodwyn and himself set to work at stone-break-ing. The men ceased their work to watch the Archdeacon and his brother clergyman, their verdict being " that the Archdeacon passed frame well," one of them undertaking to give him "a character" if he required it. The Archdeacon and Mr Goodwyn afterwards joined the men at dinner at the Wolstenholm Hall. The Archdeacon told them that if possible his sympathies had been quickened by what he had seen in the stone-breaking yard, It touched his heart to see some of their hands blistered and bleeding from the nature of the work in which they were engaged, though he rejoiced to see their willingness to accept any honest labour to

provido for [their wives and children, although some of them could only earn about Sd a day. He had " tasted " it a little, and he found it hard work ; but he was encouraged by the man he was assisting promising him "a good character," He would be proud to possess such a document, and would have it framed and put up in his stady. He eneouragpd them to persevere, and hoped the time would soon arrive when the men would find employment at their respective trades.