THE LABOUR MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 1572, 31 December 1881, Page 15

THE LABOUR MARKET.

Mr Skbnb reports for the week ending 28th Dccem ber :— Before welcoming in the New Year it is usual to give a retrospect of the old one, which is gradually fading away. The working classes have cause to bo thankful, for they have experienced a steadily improving demand for their services, and now at the close the demand for men and women is much brisker, more hopeful than it has been for the laafc four years. Confidence has returned, and business men generally are taking courage again to increase aod extend their operations. Money is plentiful and cheap, and is easily got for legitimate and sound trading. To meet this increased demand we are decidedly short-handed, particularly in farm and day labourers, and in female servants. The rabbit plague has forced upon us anew industry, which, along with the exodus to New South Wales, has drawn off a great many of our best men. It looks well at thia holiday time to see so many working men ablo to enjoy themselves, spending their money like free-born Britons. Strangers ask, " Are these a sample of the poor, downtrodden men and women who have been writing Home bewailing their sad fate?" Shopmen and clerks out of work have most to complain of. It is a waste of time asking men or women to accept money just now. But a. few more days will exhaust our " enthusiasm," and we snail commence 1882 with good resolves and brighter prospects. Wagoa, steady at latt rates.

Mr P. M. Grant reports :— Wages : Couples, £60 to £60 ; shepherds, £60 ; ploughmen, £45 to £55 ; musteTers, 40s ; general bands— stations, farms, 15s, 20b; station cooks, 255; blacksmiths— Btations 25b, 30s, tewn 60s ; carpenters, Bs, 10s; day labour, 6s, 7s ; gardeners, £60 ; milkers, 15s, 265 ; boys, ss, 10s ; barmen, 30s ; waiters, 20s ; boots, 16s, 20s ; cooks, 40s ; dairymaids, £35 ; general servants, laundresses, housemaids, waitresses, 12a, 15s ; nursegirls, Bs, 10s ; cooks, 20s ; housekeepers, £50 ; barmaids, 20s, 80s ; governesses, £50.