SKENE'S LABOR EXCHANGE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 352, 2 May 1874, Page 2

SKENE'S LABOR EXCHANGE.

April 30t.h. Sdw iSountry folks have been managing & regular supply of female helps it is «U%'<fc& 'to t«Uv Town's jpeopte have been

forced to do without, and make the best of it. The late arrivals by the Asia -will help to fill up the gap, and allay the anxiety of heads of families far a short time. We are still shorthanded in carpenl era, masons, &c, and skilled laborers generally. So many buildings are rushing up and improvements going on that the demand is sure to last for a long time to come, and a good job too ; the money is spent in the country. Q-ood ploughmen and skilled farm servants aro difficult to get. The big wages offered at day labor tempts numbers of them away from the plough, and it will be so, as long as farmers, &c., stand in their own light by refusing snug cottages to married folks. Many parts of the old country have entirely eradicated the true backbone of the county — viz., the ploughmen and small cotters. Wages do not vary much. Masons still get 14s. and 15s. per day ; carpenters, 12s. to 145. ; blacksmiths, about* 125, ; wheelwrights, the same ; gardeners are very scarce, and the time for their work is on ; female servants get about £40 for ordinary, nnd £45 to £52 for higher branches of work $ boys and girls get 6s. to 10a. ; lads to milk get 15s. to 20s. per week ; grooms are plentiful ; so many say they are grooms that it is difficult to give a quotation.