FIRM C.—Information obtained.—Complete list of wages for first week in every month, from January, 1897, to February, 1900.
Full lists in five weeks described as "slack," "busy," or "typical."
The wages of fifteen hands tabulated, most of them throughout 1897-99.
The work is divided into four departments:—
Binders, from twenty-nine to thirty-eight hands. The median wage fluctuated in the three years between 11s. and 17s., excluding holiday weeks; 13s. is the general average. About six are on time wages.
In the warehouse, where Government folding is done, five hands are employed. The median wage of this group fluctuated in 1897 between 16s. and 27s., being low at the end of 1897. In 1898 and 1899 it was a little steadier, averaging about 21s. (piece rates).
In the envelope room, where folding and relief stamping is done, seven to thirteen hands are employed. The median wage is very variable, fluctuating from 9s. to 16s., and averaging about 12s., chiefly time wages.
Machine ruling is done by from four to eleven girls. Their median wage was nearly steady at 6s. in 1897 and 1898, and rose regularly to 8s. in 1899. Nominally these were time wages.
The following table shows detailed wages in five selected weeks (learners excluded).