LABOR IN GISBORNE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2722, 29 January 1910, Page 6

LABOR IN GISBORNE.

LAST MONTH’S OFFICIAL REPORT,

Tlie following is the report of the Labor Department for the month of January, so far as it relates to Gisborne:— 1 The condition of trade in the townhas been very good during the last month, and the improvement reported during the previous two months still continues. The abnormally wet season experienced has produced a plentiful supply of feed, which, although good for dairying, has not fattened the lambs; consequently the freezing works are not working up to their full,-capa-city. One works report that it is from twenty to thirty' thousand short of last season’s quantity up to the present; from now on, the arrears will be made but, no doubt, if fine weather prevails up, and l a good season completed. The shearing has also been hindered by the wet weather; many sheds that are usually cut out by this time have barely made a start. The decision of the rate, payers to borrow £175,000 for town improvements will, no doubt, give a general impetus to ; all business when once the works are started. Trades people confidently expect a great expansion of the town and trade generally. ; Building trades. —Bricklaying . is rather quiet, hut as several large buildings are just starting there is every prospect of improvement in the immediate future. Carpentry and joinery: All bands are busy, and the future prospect for the building trade is distinctly bright; Painting is still .busy, and there

is every appearance of continuous ~em-> floyment.•' Plastering: Very little dong, but an improA r ement is certain when the projected buildings become ready for work. Plumbing and gasfitting not quite so busy as last month, but kail hands have been employed, and there is every prospect of improvement. WoodAvorking trades.—Cabinetmakipg and unholstering fairly busy; all bands employed, but the business is not up to its usual, state at this time of the year. Sash and door factories: It is pleasing to report that this industry has improved, and everything points to a busy time next year. Sawmilling is not busy, the reason being that nearly all timber is imported. Wood-turning, etc., quiet, but an inn provement is confidently looked for. Engineering trades. —Agricultural, implement making: A fair amount ol repair work is being done,, and all hands are employed. Electrical engineering dull, but a better tone will, no doubt, provail Avhen the municipal improvements works aro started. Fitting and turning: All hands are kept busy, but the work is not brisk in this industry. Leather trades—Bootmaking (repair shops): All hands are kept busy, and there is every prospect of good business in the future. Saddlery and harnessmaking: Good business is reported, but the Avet weather lias affected this trade to some extent. Clothing trades. —Dressmaking and millinery: The season promises to be a record one in this business ; a great deal of overtime has been Avorked, and the factories are still going at top speed. Tailoring (order): Owing to- the unseasonably Avet Aveatlier, trade is- not so busy as usual for this time of the year. Retail trades.—Clothing: Business is reported as good; the holiday season lias given the retailers a good lift. Boots: Trade in this line has been good during the month, and one of the largest firms of importers states that business has been better this yokar than last. Drapery: Shopkeepers are apparently well satisfied with the month’s trade, and there is every prospect of continual activity. Groceries: A great implement "is reported; in some cases the month’s turnover has exceeded that of December of last year. Printing trades.— Bookbinding: A great imnrovement on last month; all hands are fully employed. Printing very busy; eA 7 ery prospect of ing-Meat-freezing, etc.—Tanning, currying, and fellmongering, slaughtering, freezing, and preserving: The very wet season has prevented the fattening of lambs, and so- far the season has not been up to expectations. . f ,; Coachbuilding trades—Blacksmithin.g continues to- keep busy, and there is every 7 prospect of good business. Coacli and carriage building not quite so busy as last month, but all hands aro still employed, and there is plenty of AA r ork in sight. Cycle and motor trades.—Trade- has been A 7 ery dull up to the middle of the month, but has improved very much during the latter part. A busy time is expected during the remainder of the season. . * Agricultural operations. —Farming, dairying* etc.: Dairying is in a flourishing state; feed is plentiful, and there is every 7 prospect of a- record season. The wet iveather has delayed shearing operations,, but if fine Aveatlier prevails, no doubt, the result Avilli be a good season, although late. Unskilled labor.—Very feAv men have applied fo Work during the month, and those who are Avilling to go out into the country will not find much difficulty in getting employment.