DUNEDIN LABOUR MARKET.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 238, 2 June 1874, Page 5

DUNEDIN LABOUR MARKET.

Mr John Skene, of the Dunedin Labour Exchange, reports as follows for the week ending May 28 : I have to report a very mixed assortment of servants this wi 3 ek. The Asia people were not nearly away when the James .Nicol Fleming came, so that they have got mixed together, and the good will help to pass off the bad. There is such a mixture going about now that it is serious work to make a good selection. Fanners and runholders take very good care to improve their stock at stated periods ; it is as much a duty on the part of the Government to watch the character and bone and muscle of our emigrants. There is every likelihood of this matter being righted now ; if not, we will degenerate into a race of pigmies. The Janet Court is reported at the Heads, from Glasgow, it is to be hoped with a good useful lot. But the old country cannot afford us many more farm people ; they are indeed short. The following classes are getting wages as under :—Good gardeners of experience get 30s. per week and found ; by the year, £6O to £65. Ploughmen get readily £6O and £65 ; good men are not to be tempted under, and they are not fond of long engagements even at that. Servant girls are averaging from £35 to £45 per year. Cooks and barmaids about 20s. per week. Smart nurse girls get 75., Bs., and 10s. per week. Masons, carpenters, and bricklayers run about 14s. per Jay. Tailors and bootmakers gain by piece .work from £3 to £4. All trades seem busy. DayJabourers get from Bs. to 10s. A good many know'nothings are on the " wallaby."