AUCKLAND IN 1841.

Patea Mail, 18 October 1882, Page 3

AUCKLAND IN 1841.

The New Zealand Herald in an article headed “ Stories of Old New Zealand,” gives the -following information in regard to the price of provisions, the accommodation and the rate of wages at Auckland in 1841, which are in marked contrast with our later dayexperiences. In regard to the price of provisions we learn that ” Occasionally a few sheep were brought from Sydney, but they were scarcely saleable for the want of enclosures and pasturage, and after a sea voyage they were not in a condition for the butcher. Beef has been also sometimes brought ready slaughtered from the Bay of Islands, but the price placed it beyond the purchase of persons of moderate means. Pork was the only fresh meat generally to be obtained. Fish was plentiful and cheap, supplied by Europeans. Price of provisions at Auckland, July, 1841 Beef (per lb), Is 4d : mutton, Is ; pork, 7d ; flour, 5d ;

bread, 7d ; cheese (English), 2s ; ’u‘ or (Irish), 2s 6d ; tea, 10s ; coffee, 2s (id , sugar (brown), (id: sugar (refined), Is ; rice. 4d ; potatoes (per cwt), Bs.” Then as regards accommodation : —“ cinch was the scarcity of accommodation for new settlers, as well as the demand for labour, that the following are not- the highest rates paid at Auckland in September, 1841; —bents and lodgings— Wooden houses, unfurnisnod, two small rooms and kitchen, £6O to £BO per annum ; lodgings, unfurnished, one small room, £1 per week ; board and lodging—board being without malt or spirituous liquors, and lodging a bed in a room with others—£2 per week.” The ruling wages were as follows :—Carpenters, 16s to 20s per dry ; bi ickmakers, 10s : laborers.Ss ; men servants, £4 per month and board ; maid servants,£66 per annum and board ; boy s, 10s per week and board.