CO129-281 - Governor Sir Robinson & Acting Governor Major Gen Black - 1898 [1-3] — Page 452

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coolies at a less figure than $7 per month each, whereas be-

fore I went on leave in 1895 I had been paying $6 a month

to each coolie.

I have since had to raise the wages of y

coolies to $7.25 each.

On the upper levels and at the Peak coolies

are demanding and obtaining $8 a month each, and that will

soon be the universal rate for all but the low levels.

4. An enquiry into the rent of Chinese tene-

ments, and the cost of the necessaries of life for a Chinese

reveals the reason for this large rise in wages.

I have made careful enquiry and I find that

the rent of a cubicle in a Chinese tenement house has risen

50 per cent since 1894,

Chinese 011 41 per cent

Rice

33 per cent

Firewood

18 per cent

pork

6 per cent

Fresh fish

Salt Fish

80 per cent

25 per cent

Vegetables, fruit and soy remain about the same.

The contract price for a ration for a Chi-

nese first class misdemeanant in Victoria Gaol has risen

25 per cent since 1894. The ration itself is the same, and is

no better than what the Chinese Constables have in their

mess.

5.