THE LABOUR MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 1582, 18 March 1882, Page 15

THE LABOUR MARKET.

Mr Skbnb reports for the week ending Ist,'n Jfarcnr— The healthy demand for all classes still c jntinnea bufc as tho North harvest is completed men. M e gradually coming back. The harvest South is. picking up a 106 uf men. A good many are mfckin« Jaj r cheques. A goodly number are returning frotuKew South Wales, thoroughly sick of -it. A& .-winter approaches men will be glad to setjilft down, to permanent work instead of wandering *bout. True, they h'avogot a few shillings extra thfc season, but the railway gets a large parl of it. P^ces are improving at last. > It is high time that farmers had their inninus; it has taken ,the«x !>jl their time hitherto to,pay their hands. Tradfrs,&re all brisk— building on all 'hands:' Women are scarce, and very particular ; couples in demand. Wages: Day labour, '7s, Sa, and 9»; harvesters, 1» per hou.- ; ploughmen, 20s to 255 ; milkers, 10a, 12s, 15s, and aOs ; couples^ £70, £76, and £80 ; hotel men 208 to 40s ; hotel females, 15s, 20s, and 30s ; ordinary girls, 12s to 15a; good cooks and laundresses, £62 ; bmitljs (country), 10a ; carpenters, 0s to lls ; station qcjoks and bakers, 20a to 30s. ' '

Grant and M'Nsiii, Universal Labour Exchange^ report :— The labour market has been very brisk during the week, and competition keen between con' tractors and farmers. The former are i tinning ther latter very hard, and, by offering inducements in the* matter of higher wages, are securing the best men. Men for railway and other contracts, are in good demand ; wages, 8a and 9s per day. the timber trade is also bwek, and bush mills requiring hands ; wages, Sa, 9s Blacksmiths and carpenters are very scarce afc 10b. Masons, 12s and 14s per day. Married coupler are now in better demand, but wages are not improving ; £60 to £75 offering. Shepherds : A number have engaged during the week at MO. Ploughmen are much inquired for at £32. to £55 per annum. General bands that can milk are very scarce, and commanding good wages— 2os to 25s per week.