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254
BOAT RACE.
The Vestry, in accordance with the usual custom, granted
permission for the wharf to be utilised for the purpose of
viewing the boat race. Arrangements were made for the
erection of a convenient stand, and a barge was also placed
at the disposal of the Vestry (by Messrs. Keep) and fitted
up. The total cost of erecting stand, &c., was £22.
UNEMPLOYED.
The number of unemployed men was considerably above
the average last winter, as owing to the exceptional
severity of the weather, all operations in the building and
other kindred trades were entirely stopped for some weeks,
and as a large number of men were thrown out of
work, the amount of distress prevailing at that time was
very great. A conference was called between the Cartage
Committee and the Board of Guardians to try and
ameliorate the distress and after consideration it was
decided to employ 50 additional able-bodied men sweeping
and cleansing the streets, 20 masons squaring York
stone, 20 men breaking stones; also the number of men
was increased to 50 at Wendell Park Recreation Ground,
and the whole of these men were engaged two days a
week so as to distribute the employment to as large a
number of men as possible. In addition to the foregoing,
as many men as practicable were put on to clean the roads
and footways.
Also a labour bureau was opened where men had their
names, addresses, occupations, the name of their last
employer and the length of time served put down. A
large proportion of the names put down were for unskilled
labour.
Below will be found statements showing the number of
men engaged and the amount paid.