WAGES IN 1846

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2280, 24 May 1921, Page 2

WAGES IN 1846

QUOTING from the Spectator of September, 1840, Mr W. A. Edwards, of the Early Settlers’ Association, supplies to the Post a note on the condition of the labour market of the time. “From various causes, labour has become very scarce iu this settlement, and labourers readily obtain from 3s (id to 4s a day, with every prospect of a steady demand for labour continuing, The militia and armed police have taken away many of the labourers from their ordinary occupations, and if circumstances should render the speedy disbanding of the militia necessary, the men would all be required 'on the new lines of

roads which are about to be commenced. Unless we have a speedy influx of labourers, the agricultural operations of the will be seriously impeded.” The wages of skilled workers, carpenters, etc., at the time was Gs Gd per day, and retail prices were: —Flour, £25 10s per ton; bread, for 21b. loaf, Gd; beef, 8d and 9d; mutton, 7d to 10d; pork, 5d to Gd per lb. ; butter, fresh 2s, salted Is Gd per lb.; potatoes, £5 per ton; eggs, Is Gd to 2s per dozen; cheese (New Zealand), Is 2d per lb.; ham and bacon, Gd to 7d per lb. As to rent, of houses, there is little or no information. Well-built wooden houses were advertised at 10s to 20s per week, but for many Native-built houses and wooden ones a very small rental was paid. There is no reference to high rates up to this period.