DEMAND FOR LABOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14150, 27 August 1909, Page 5

DEMAND FOR LABOUR.

BUILDING ACTIVITY. BIG WORKS AHEAD. The -healthier tone that now prevails in I tie- labour market is indicated not only by the decreased number of men looking for work, but also by title increased de- ■ mand | for men. ,-?■.* The Government Labour Bureau, at Auckland, reports that at present it could place several milkers and farm hands. The bulk 0 £ those now calling at tho bureau are unskilled labourers, a number of them being jeccnt arrivals from the Old Country. With the advancement of tho erection of the new Town Hall and Poet Oflice and the Seddon Memorial Technical College, the contract prices for which run into the big total of £225,000, more and more men are bains,' steadily put on, with the result that the ranks of the unemployed are being rapidly depleted. . Some 90 men are also now employed in constructing the main span of the Grafton bridge, and a largo number of men are engaged in erecting tho new warehouse for Messrs. Arch. Clark and Sons at the corner of Wellesley and Elliott Streets, which is to cost £20,000,. In addition to these, the erection of a, number of large warehouses and office premises will be started shortly, including fine new premises for Mr. J. C. Spedding, in Custom-street, and Messrs. L. 1). Nathan and Co., in High-street. Tenders aro also being called for the erection of new ferry buildings for the Auckland Harbour Board, at an estimated cost of £50,000. Among other buildings in contemplation are the Home for Incurables, the Y.M.C.A. new building, and the extension of the Nurses' Home. > The City Council last night decided to call for tenders for various works, and in addition to these the Drainage Board has decided to call for tenders for the first length of the main sewer. * When the projected works are in fu'.l swing, as they promise to be shortly, it would seem that there- will be no cause for the.cry of unemployment in Auckland. In connection with the efforts put forth locally to cope with the unemployed problem, it is interesting to note that the action of the City Council in having the fences in the reserves painted by day labour has proved a complete success. The director of reserves (Mr. T. E. Pearson) states that, with few exceptions, toe men drawn from the ranks of the unemployed for the work have proved thoroughly competent tradesmen, and have performed their task very satisfactorily.