WAGES IN VICTOEIA

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 103, 29 January 1870, Page 6

WAGES IN VICTOEIA

Tbe " Argus " of the 3rd inst. gives the following report of the labour I market, which may prove interesting to some of our readers :—: — The usual woeokly rations allowed in Victoria are from 101 b. to 121 b. of meat (besf or mutton), 101 b. of Hour, 21b. of sugar, and a Jib. of tea. The following servants are fed and lodged by their employers, receiving rations as above: — Shepherds (first-class), £35 to £45 per annum ; hutkeepers, £25 to £30 per annum ; lads for the country, 10s. to 12s. per week; general farm labourers and station hands, 15s. to 20s. do. Married couples for*' out stations, £40 to £55 per annum. The following" servants are fed and lodged with the employers families : — Grooms, for the country, 20s. to 555. per week ; men cooks, for hotels, £1 to £4 do ; female, £40 to £80 per annum ; married couples, for country (first-class) without encumberanee, from £65 to £85 per annum; female- house servants, for country (first-class) £35 to £45 per annum; do.- do. (second-class), £3o to £35 do.; laundresses, £35 to £45 do. ; nursegirls, for town, £25 to £30 do. The following wages for skilled labourers and other tradesmen are without rations, unles where specially mentioned :—: — Tradesmen. — Among stonemasons, bricklayers, plasterers, and carpenters, an arrangement has been made with the employers that the rate of wages shall be 10s. per day; builders' labourers (hodmen) 7s. per day ; pick and shovel men, 6s. per day. Tailors. —In first-class establishments good men are scarce, and constant work is to be had at an average from £3 to £3 15s. per week. In second-elars establishments the average earnings are from £2 10s. to £3. In factories tailors, best hands, average £2 10s. Tailoresses can earn as follows : — Trouser and vest hands, 30s. per week ; coat do., 355. ; pressers, £2. Bootmakers. — In the best establishments for bespoke work, the rates paid arc as follow : — Wellingtons, 14s. 6d ; elastics, 125. ; closing, Bs. ; riding boots, back strap, 245. In factories good workmen can earn from £2 to £2 15s. per week at slop work. Ordinary hands can earn £2 per week. Cabinetmakers. — In the best shops the average earnings of good tradesmen is 12s. per day and upwards, according to ability ; polishers, 10 to lls. In second-class establishments and factories first hands make 10s. per day, and for caribole work 125. ; upholsters, 9s. to 10s. ; polishers, Bs. to 95. ; saw mill hands, 10s. to 12s. per day of eight hours. Iron Founders, Smiths, &c. — Smiths are paid per hour, and good men can earn on an average, 10s. to 14s. per day; fitters, 9s. to 125.; turners, 145.; moulders, lls. to 145.; pattern-makers, 10s. to 135. ; mechanical engineers, 12s. to 14s. Shoeing smiths earn on average £2 10s. week of 10 hours per day. Baker 3. — First-class workmen (foremen) average £3 per week; second hands, £2 to £2 ss. The work in this tx'ade is 10 hours per day. Gardeners. — Eirst-class men — without rations — for situations near town, get 50s. to 60s. per week, but the demand for best hands is very limited. Do. for country, 595. ; second-class do., near town, 365. to 425. per week ; third-class for country (with rations), 15s. to 20s. Grooms in livery stables get from 30s. to 40s. per week. Saddlers and Harness-makers. — The hands in this trade earn £3 per week — time, 10 hours per day ; secondclass (mostly young men), 255. to 30s.