LOCAL LABOR CONDITIONS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 May 1906, Page 1

LOCAL LABOR CONDITIONS.

Inspector Isdell in his monthly reports ays : —. Business in general during the month, though quiet in some lines, was fairly satisfactory, ’the building trade continues to bo brisk, there being several largo business premises in course of ei'ection. A number of private residences are going up iu the town of Grcyinoiith and suburbs, which will keep the local bricklayers and carpenters well employed for some time. Plumbers and painters are fairly well employed. the boot trade is steady and fair for (h i season.

'Jhe clothing trade was quiet during (ho month, still it was considered to be satisfactory fey (ho season. Tailoring was very good for the time of the year.

Dressmaking trade was rather slack during tho month. Millinery trade was fair.

The engineering trade continues brisk, all local hands being constantly employed, and will likely continue so for some time.

Coachbnifiling trade; Fairly good

Sash and door factories are busy. Furniture makers are well employ ed.

Brickmaking trade: Very brisk. Tho retail trades arc steady. A few small traders complain of quiet times. The larger establishments are quite satisfied with the present state of trade.

The sawmill mg industry during the month showed an increased activity, the weather being most favorable for bush work. Tho mills wore kept going very steadily. A large amount of timber is required for local use, irrespective of the heavy orders for shipments which are still being received. F’lax mills are working full lime, but the near approach of winter with its short days will have a tendency to lessen the output for the next few months.

Unskilled labor: During the month (here was a great falling-off in the number of persons applying for employment, there being only twentyHireo; this is about Hie lowest monthly record for the last few years, and shows that labor is well provided for. During the period four married and two single men, with twenty dependants were sent to tho co-operative works.

Tho local registry-office keeper re purls that good fijmalo domestic servants are Mill scarce; so are experienced ilax milling hands.

Exports for March. 1906, were as follows: Timber, 3.327,000; coal, 25,340 tons; coke, 209 tons; bricks, 46 tuns; llax. 264 bales. HOKITIKA.

qV.ie building trade still remains

fairly brisk. . The engineering trade has sulhcient work (o keep all hands fully employA good retail business is being done in tho boot trade. Saddlery is quiet.

Tailors .are busy again, every one being fully employed. A good steady business is maintained in the retail trade. Blacksmiths, wheelwrights, plumbers, tinsmiths and painters aro very busy. There were twenty-seven applicants for work. Twelve were sent to the Hokitika-Ross railway works. The others no doubt obtained work privately, as they have not retunred since registering their names. The sawmills are still very busy. (From yesterday’s town edition.)