Destitition in Australia.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 204, 25 July 1884, Page 2

Destitition in Australia.

A singular tale of destitution comes from South Australia. The Port Augusta Despatch of June 27 says : — * c On. Wednesday evening MountedConstable Knight reported at the police station that he had that evening found a party of about twenty men camped six miles from Port Augusta, near the Chinaman's dam, m sin utterly destitute condition. They had constructed a wurley of branches, and were cowei*ing round the fire. Tlxey had one billy between them, and a number 'of paunikins had been improvised out of old jam tins. Foorljthey had none, but had a little tea and sugar left, They stated that they had been granted free passes by the Government to go into the country to find work, and had been searching for it fruitlessly. They had originally been sent to Sforke's Peninsula on Government work at 5s a day, were there three weeks, but owing to wet weather were only able to make sevon days' work, and as they were not paid for idle days they were running into debt. They consequently left the peninsula and came north, were they found i.hat they had made a bud exchange. The police, we understand, have no power to do anything for the*e men, beyond arresting them as vagrants.