Weekly wages of all hands throughout eighteen months in the years 1886-96 and 1899, three weeks in 1877 and two in 1898.

This firm employs folders, stitchers, and sewers.—The number of permanent hands employed increased with slight variations from two in 1886 to twelve in 1899. Jobbers are occasionally employed, sometimes as many as there are permanent hands.

Considering the regular hands and choosing each year a wage earner near the median for that year, we have the following table.

Total
Wages
in Year.
Bonus.Average
Earnings
per week,
including
bonus.
£s.s.d.s.d.
1887180[x]106143
1888396218156
18893816204154
1890366166144
1891390189154
18923912200157
1893388240152
1894403150159
189537101901410
1896407200159
189737111961410
18984072001511
18992911[y]149156

[x] (half-year)

[y] (9 months)

In a typical week, January 5th-12th, 1899, the wages were:

Full workers, average, 16s. 2d.

1 at 21s.

5 between 16s. and 17s.