DUNE DIN LABOUR MARKET.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 250, 25 August 1874, Page 5

DUNE DIN LABOUR MARKET.

Mr John Skene, of the Dunedin Labour Exchange, reports' as follows for the-week ending' August 17, 1874

All the pick and choice of our late arrivals are settled down at suitable work. Far too many are still on the hands of the Govern-’ ment, but they are very unsuitable for the" country settlements of Otago'. Some of these may some day make good colonists; but they are slow to move of their own accord, thinking it is the duty of the Government to think and act for them always. There is a decided scarcity of the genuine stamp of country folks at present. .There is no doubt but that shepherds, ploughmen, and female servants will be short for the season before us, and good railway men cannot be got ; there is a great deal of heavy work for such to get through, and safe to last for years, until the inland towns are connected by a regular network of railways. A good many Victorian and Tasmanian workmen are landing here, and they have no trouble in getting work. Engagements are making as follows :—Shepherds, ploughmen, and gardenftrs get from L.55 to L.65 and rations; if married, and wife helps, ’L.BO to‘L.9o; clay labourers, Bs., '9s.;'and 10s. per day; masons, carpenters, and bricklayers, 12s. to 14s. per day ; tailors and shoemakers, at piece work, from L.3 to ! L.4 per week. Nurse girls get from L.20, L3O, L.35, and L.40; cooks, barmaids, and housekeepers, from 20s. to 30s. per week. Smart lads and youngsters get from Bs. to 15s. per week and found. Too many neglect their scnooliug for a small wage.