AUCKLAND IN 1841.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1218, 31 October 1882, Page 2

AUCKLAND IN 1841.

The Now Zealand Herald in an article' beaded "Stories ef Old gives the following informatflij|isgard to the price of provisions, the ITOrrimO' dation, and the rate of wages at Auckland in 1841, which are in marked contrast with our latter day experiences. In. regard to the provisions we learn that occasionally a few sheep were brought irom Sydney, bnt they were scarcely saleable for the want of enclosures and pasturage, and aftei'a sea voyage they were not in a condition for the butcher. Beef had been also Bometimeß brought ready slaughtered from the Bay of Islands, but the price placed it boyond tho purchase of persons of moderate meani. Pork was the only fresh meat generally lo be obtained. Fish was plentiful and cheap, supplied by Europeans. Price of provisions at Auckland, July, 1841:Beef (per lb), Is 4d; mutton la; pork 7d ; flour, 5d ; broad, 7d : cheese, (English), 2s; butter (Irish), 2s 6d; tea, 10a; coffee, 2s 6<i; sugar (brown), 6d; sugar (refined), Ib; rice, 3d; potatoes (per cwt), Bs. Then as regards acoommo. dation :-Snch was the scarcity of accommodation for new settlers, as well as the demand for labor, that the following are not the highest rates paid at Auckland in September, 1841 :-Rent and lodgings Wooden houses, unfurnished, two small rooms and kitchen, £6O to iBO per annum; lodgings, unfurnished, one small room,.£l per week; board and lodging-board being without malt or spirituous liquors, and lodging a bed in a room with othora—£2 per week. Carpenters, 16s to 20s per day j brickmakeri, 10s; laborers, 8s; men servants, £i per month and board; women servants, £BO per annum and board; boys, lOi per week and board.

There is no need (writes the London Times) to jump to the conclusion, aa ao many people did when the report) of Mr.. Edison'B inventions ftot came from Amerioa, that gas is the thing of (he past, and that electricity has already won the i battle. No doubt electricity is gaining J upon its rival, but that all electric lights are better than all gaslights is a proposition that is easily disproved by anyone who takes a walk down Holborn and across the viaduot. The City authorities, who, whatever their faults, are ready enough to make experiments for the public service, are ttying the Edison incandescent burners on this viaduct, and the Siemens improved gas in Holborn, We do not know anything of tine relative cost of the two systems, but as far as tlje IjghJ is concerned there is limply no comparison. The gas triumphs all along the line.