John H. W. Pettit letters to his family in England, illustrated with sketches by the writer, 1852-1868 - Page 266
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Sollification 2626
Good Common Labrs [labourers] are difficult to get to [?]
Land - Wages run for 20 s to 30 s per week
found of course - No doubt men with Large families, and very little money, find it uphill work for sometime., as people are not generally fond of having lots of juveniles to keep as well as their parents -
There have been from abt .[about] 200 to 300 Immigrant Girls, but not into this District during the last Year or so, and they have all gone off like smoke - they engage as servants, and get spliced very soon afterwards - I know
some few instances, where men have togged
out in their best, walked into the Depôt and after looking around upon the fair damsels enquire if "any of those young women want a husband and will any of you
take me ? the tender appeal was in every case responded to matters arranged and settled without delay, and the happy individual went on his way rejoicing with his lovely Bride - others who have been unable to
go down and select for themselves, occasionally
depute their employers to pick out ladies and