PLENTY OF WORK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10417, 22 March 1912, Page 3

PLENTY OF WORK.

BUILDING TRADE VERY STEADY,

PROSPECTS FOR WINTER. Although tow large buildings are being erected in Ghristchurch there is considerable activity among the smaller fry, and now residences, mainly in St Albans, are keeping carpenters busv. Inquiries made at the City Council*Offico indicate that the building permits are keeping well Up, and that thero is difm 111 procuring carpenters. Jho following ;is a fJompar,ative statement of the value of building permits issued in December, January, and February, for tho last throe years:— 1910. 1911. 1912, £ £ £ December . 8.050 10.805 11.480 January . 10,U2f) ]G,77i 1:1.5-15 February . 12,316 '.'0,610 21,120 lheru is very little unemployment in tho building trade,'' said the local head of the Labour Department (Mr W. 11. .Hugger). "A largo number of stonemasons and carpenters left the district some time ago, but those remaining have made very good time lately. i i. le ' cren ee to two employment books showed that no member of tho Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners had entered himself as out of work since .March 9, and that the entry immediately before, that had been made on February 10. In the Canterbury Carpenters' and Joineis employment book thero were v names entered since tho «"'r .i e - a V inc,n<Jijl « two ill March. 1 think the trade is in a. very good jvay ' Mr Hagger continued. " Tliero have been very few enquiries for employment. Builders have had (i very Keod run as far as the weather would allow them, bricklayers were in steadv employment, making good time subject. to the Weather, and the few sttfno masons -remaining have bean getting very good employment I think we shall g£t through thft winter without any depression. There is a little stagnation about tho town in retail trades, due to tho lato season, but buoyancy will return as soon as the returns from the grain and wool output come to liHiul. and tilings will be ou tho move again. \Ye will hardlv know wo are Into the winter..''