SHEARERS' EARNINGS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10060, 6 August 1910, Page 5

SHEARERS' EARNINGS.

(To the EJitor).

I Sir,—ln a rercsnt issue ot jour paper appeared the statement of a person giving evidence in a Sydney Ciurt recently, stating that hie eirnings had been £8 and £9 per week as a shearer, and £l2 per week as a shearers' cook. Now, sir, as a contrast to the above, append the following returns of "earnings" made by twelve shearers at Yu'currie shed, Brewarrina, New South Wales, which has just cut out, fnd the figures have been supplied trie by a shearer who was on the spot, and who can vouch for their accurracy. The shed commentel shearing on June 10th and "cut out" July 13th, inclusive, which, deducting four Sundays leaves 23 working days. There were twelve shearer?, who shore 5,550 sheep. This number, at 24s per 100, averages each man's gross earnings £5 11*. Against this are items such as food £3 6s lOd, shears, oil and stones, 8s 3£3, and travelling expenses £2 19s 2d per man. The maximum time taken by any shearer was six days to reach the shed, and the minimum two days. From the above figures one will readily see that these shearers, after being occupied over .a month, in travelling to the shed and actual working time, found themselves debtors to the extent of £1 2s 3|d each.—l am, etc., E. WILMORE ABBOTT. Masterton, August sth, 1910.