, 1873-02-08

same week, it rained at 6 O'Clock a. m. but the
weather being quite promising at 81 a. M. we
proposed to "turn too, but were caused lin or
der "to spite" us) to remain until 7 a. m. I'M
necessarily this injustice or oppression we
would not submit to and therefore exacted to
be paid a full days pay, were we to begin at
that hour and continue working the whole Of
the day.
There is a great stress laid on the 'last days
pay, which requires to be calculated, 1t is
customary that on the "last day. or on the
finishing term, to discharge US, and in our
stead shoemakerS, filters, fishermen &c. &c
called "RapaAanak8'', not belonging at all to
the profession are kept to nail the copper
merely for the advantage, that the Vessel is
charged the same rate, or nearly the same, for
such meanwhile their real pay is about / Of
what those of the profession obtain, not salts
fled with the extra charge for each one of the
latter on the Ships Bill.
The f~alseness of the argument relating to
" driving away the trade" brought forward by
Geo. A. Phillips, is so palpable, that it scarcely
requires retutatiOn we are about 80 Caulkers
IN this Island, (not reckoning the RapaAanabsl
ana are never longer, on a very large vessel,
than 5 days on the Railway" requiring
therefore the sum of $3.50 for Caulkers, on a
"big job" on the Slip. This amount can
easily be compared with the heavy Amounts
wanted on "Bottomry Bonds,' to defray ex-
penSes of repairs; causing most vessels, want
ing repairs, to be condemned the tenders
when they are rendered for, (2) proving far
in excess of the conditions of underwriters,
which, elsewhere would have been repaired at
half the charges. This large margin being in
no wise caused by the small difference of
CauIker's days pay-but may, perhaps, with
truth, be attributed to otAer parties, who, under
mutual understanding, divide the Spoils.'
There is nothing unreasonable in our solicit
ing an Increase of wages, experience having
taught us, that in this Island, where "the bust
ness IN that line" has been driven away by
Conslgnees and others, we can only expect to
work, at most, but 4 months in the year, and
consequently if not sufficiently remunerated, in
order, barely, to keep up existence, during the
remaining idle months, it is / better to seek other
empIoyment.-The Caulkers do not seek for
tunes from their profession, we simply depend
on the sweat Of our brow, without riSking the
interest of others, as many do, perhaps, to their
advantage, adding bankruptcy on bankruptcy,
and WltbaI, continue in the enjoyment of the
Injuries of life, and with such means, enabled to
Cypress the poor.
Caulkers may be sent for by kilograms, and
large amounts may be lavished, with "injus-
tice' to others, for the sake of %caprices, never
theless, it is our duty to protest against oppres-
sion and this we are decided to do.
We consider consignees and master under
takers as one and the same thing, as their inter
ests in obtaining the largest profits, are linked
together, and for this reason, acknowledge
Geo. A. Phillips right to answer our communi-
cation, no matter how intereStedIy.
We thank you, Mr.. Editor, for your kindness,
and will not trouble you any further, unless
strictly incumbent on US.
We remain
Your 0bt. servants
FOR "THE ST. THOMAS CAULKERs''
PHILLIP ALONSE E,ron,ou
GEO. CRABBIERT FoIeWen'