The ordinary West Indian labourer receives 10 cents gold (about 5d.) per hour and free quarters. Deducting the 30 cents per diem charged for meals, he receives 50 cents (2s. 1d.) for an 8-hour day, besides food and lodging.

STEAM SHOVEL EXCAVATING SOIL AT CULEBRA.

STEAM SHOVEL UNLOADING INTO A DIRT CAR.

The total number actually at work on the Isthmus has been—

June 30, 1907.
On the Canal Works14,606
On the Panama Railroad4,979
Total19,585

and on June 30, 1908, the number on the Canal Works alone was 16,078.

The total number on the roll is, of course, considerably more than 20,000, as there are necessarily absentees every day owing to sickness, accident, or other cause.