The Commonwealth. — 1866-02-17 (London, England)

AUSTRALIA, CHINA, AND JAPAN.  MELBOURNE, Dec. 26.—The Government has brought forward the principles of the concession which it is prepared to make to squatters. The news of the Spanish war with Chili has created great excitement, and the sales of copper have been stopped by several of the principal firms. Continued dissatisfaction is felt on account of the mail service. The Victoria Parliament was prorogued on the 28th ult. The Governor, in his speech closing the Seas ion, expressed regret that the Appropriation Bill has not passed, and that the Constitution provided no means of settling the dispute. The Government resorted to an appeal to the country, and the dissolution took place on the 12th of December. The elections are now, going on amid great excitement. SYDNEY, Dec. 22.---The Government had sent a remonstrance to England in consequence of the dissatisfaction generally felt with reference to the mail service. Mr. Kinder, of the City Bank, has been murdered, and great excitement prevails, owing to the atrocity of the circumstances under which the crime was perpetrated. Kinder's wife and a Mi,s Bertrand have been arrested and committed for trial. SHANGHAI, Dec. 26.—News from Pekin announces, the arrival in that city of Sir Rutherford Aieock, and states that the court differences had been amicably settled. Prince Kung's Administration was giving " satisfaction, but the Cabinet were unfavourable hended. The news from the North is alarming for states local disturbances continued to occur that the Imperialists. The Nienfei rebels areappearing large numbers, but no active measures have yet been taken to oppose them. News from Japan improving their lheDam toi no foreigners, and difficulties were consequently aPPre : . were steadily filling their arsenals and naval and military tactics, The ratification by the Milkado of the treaty for opening the ports of Ossaca. and Slop is doubted.  Nov.. 2.—Business daring the past month has been considerably brisker for male AUSTRALIA LABOUR MARKET, . EL hass hing been for some time past. Shearinghave been in full operation and labour a and dt hi,ai,on oit t...v occupied mazy hands, but the supply was quite equal to the demand. It may now be considered as over. Mowing and haymaking are commencing, but on all the lanze farms mowing-machines are used. Male  FaBRUARY 17, 1866.  domestic servants, waiters, barmen, and men cooks have been in better demand for hotels both in town and country, as the business of hotels at this season 'is always better. Married couples (without families) have been more freely asked for, principally for far in the interior, but those having children find it most difficult to obtain situations. Good and efficient cooks, laundresses, house and parlour maids, nurses, and general servants, would find immediate engagement-Irish, Enghsh, or Scotch. During the past month the Champion of the Seas brought 277 Government immigrants, who were not first-class servants. At present there are a large number of female servants out of employment, who are not suited to the requirements of the colony. Wages may be quoted :-Ploughmen, 15s. to 17s. 6d. per week and found; bullock-drivers, 12s. to 155.; shearers, 16s. a hundred and found; haymakers, 15s. a week and found; mowers, 6s. and 6s. 6d. per acre and found; 'cooks, 15s. to 2/. and 31. per week and found; waiters, 15s. to 21.; grooms (generally useful) 15s. to 205.; gardeners, 15s. to 285.; coachmen, 205.; boys, Bs. -to 125.; married couples, 50/. to 65/. a year and found; female cooks, 35/. to 501.; housekeepers, 401.; laundresses, 301.; house and parlour maids, 20/. to 261.; nurses, 301.; nurse-girls, 161. to 201.; general servants, 20/. to 30/. To obtain the above wages the servants must thoroughly understand their 'work."