222 SOUTH AFRICA. 



by a pittance upon which few Europeans could 

 sustain health, or even life, but which suffices to 

 supply the less elaborate necessities of the coloured 

 races. 



It would be vain to attempt to name the average 

 earnings of the coloured working classes, differing 

 as they do to such extraordinary extents in divers 

 localities. In and around the village in which this 

 has been penned efficient agricultural labour 

 commands from IDS. to 1 a month, and light 

 work, such as driving and the care of stock, is 

 performed by youngsters at various prices accord- 

 ing to age and capacity. Near the seaports wages 

 for rough labour and domestic service commands 

 a price commensurate with the increased expenses 

 of living, but by no means approaching the English 

 standard if we take into consideration the relative 

 prices and qualities of necessaries which in South 

 Africa are very much dearer than in England. 



Coloured people seem to be able to live and 

 dress fairly well somehow, but herd together in 

 groups and spaces which would be revolting, if 

 not impossible, to any decent English workman, 

 and would even be considered " hard lines " by the 

 submerged residuum of the slum population. 



