THE LABOUR MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 1500, 14 August 1880, Page 15

THE LABOUR MARKET.

Mr Skhne reports, under date August 11th : —

A steady improvement is observable in the labour market, and although there are a good many unemployed, still it is satisfactory to state that employment is getting more plentiful. Ploughmen are in better demand, but they must submit to low wages. Reasonable men take what is going, and hope for better wages with improved times and prices. Couples for stations and farms are wanted ; also dairy people, gardeners, shepherds, and handy people of all sorts. Rabbiters are in great demand, and the inquiry for miners, bushmen, and day labourers is improving. Town work is not so hopeful. Although there are a good many buildings going up, wages are hard to earn. Hotels are always needing men and women, and people suited for such can always be placed, let the times be good or bad. Ordinary females for private houses are in large demand. Wages:— Couples, £65 to £85; ploughmen, £52; shepherds, £C 0; milkers (men, women, and boys), 10s to 12s, 15s, and 20a per week ; day labour, 6s, 7s, and 8s ; gardeners and grooms, 15s to 255 ; bushmen, 7s to 8s ; station cooks and bakers, 20s to 255 ; hotel cooks, 20s to 60s ; station smiths and carpenters, 25s to 40s per week, and found ; upper female servants, 15s to 255 ; ordinary do, 10s, 12s, and 15s; governesses, barmaida, sioknurses, and housekeepers, 20s to 403 per week, ,