CHEAP LIVING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7087, 1 May 1901, Page 2

CHEAP LIVING.

HOW IT CAN BE DONE IN SYDNEY.

EIGHT SHILLING^ A WEEK.

It was stated at the Arbitration Court to-day that living was much cheaper in Sydney than in Wellington. The witness who made the statement had been called by tne Federated Bootmakers' Union. He is at present employed in Wellington, but has also worked in Sydney. He said that 30s a week in Sydney would be equivalent to about £2 10s' in Wellington. Everything was cheaper in the Australian city. The best coal could be obtained for Is a hundredweight. Firewood was also cheap, and, in fact, cost about only Is a week. The witness, continuing, said that a single man in Sydney could live well on Bs a week.

His Honor Mr Justice Cooper, President of the Court, asked if that included' boaud and lodging. . The witness: Well, the man would lodge out. J

His Honor: Not an the park? (Laughter.) The witness said that a room could be obtained for 3s a week, as two or tared men could take a room between them for about 7s od a week. Twenty-one tickets for meals at a restaurant could be purchased for ss, and the witness had ihadi as good a meal in. Sydney for 6d- as- he could g*jt in Wellington. . Id Sydney his groceries . bill, including bread and milk, had amounted to only from 6s to 7s a week, whereas in Wellington at amounted to^ nearly 16s or 17s. ; Another Vwitriess^sfeated that the cost of living was much lees in Adelaide- than in Wellington. When he first came to this colony, his wife asked him where he was taking 'her to, she was so surprised at the size of the bills sent in. If he earned good wages, however, he would much rather live in New Zealand than in Australia.