DUNEDIN LABOUR MARKET-

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 246, 28 July 1874, Page 5

DUNEDIN LABOUR MARKET-

+ »rMr John Skene, of the Dunedin Labour Exchange, reports as follows for the week .«hding July 22: The horrid winter weather has put a complete stoppage on business of all kinds, the labour market included. Our new arrivals have not certainly got a very favourable first impression of Otago. As many of them say, they thought the snow was all left behind them in-the Old Country. It will be pretty hard times with most of the new arrivals for a bit, until the weather clears up, and until the vrinter is over, especially as so many of them are so unsuited for life outside a city. There are very few remarks made about the Caroline's passengers now ; very likely, as is too often done, the whole shipment was blackballed for a few black sheep. Lots of good married farm people are in a fix for a place to put their children in. Dunedin is crammed to the door, hotels and all. 1 would advise all the settlers to have' snug huts for such ; it will pay. Wages have been as follows of late -.—Shepherds, £6O to £65 ; ploughmen the same ; if married, £75 to £BO. Girls get £36 to £45 ; housekeepers, barmaids, and cooks, 20s. per week. The building trade is dull. Day labourers are half idle ; but as the weather is to be blamed in the matter, it will soon right itself, and all will go smoothly shortly.