Posted with permission of the transcriber, Ann Selchick. Geo. <I didn't realise that labour 'hiring markets' continued so late into the 20C. Anyone know when they were phased out?> THE WEST CUMBERLAND NEWS, Nov. 21, 1931 SECOND HIRINGS ______ Few Engagements at Penrith and Cockermouth. That an abnormal number of men were left without employment after Penrith Martinmas hirings last Tuesday was evident by the large assembly in Burrowgate on Tuesday when the second hirings were held. Several hundreds of would-be workers gathered, but farmers in search of men were very few. Work is well forward on the farms, and it is stated that there will be much more land in grass next year, that the prospects for absorbing any more labour are distinctly poor. Farmers as a rule satisfied their minimum wants last week, and on Tuesday 'hiring' was practically non-existant. The few engagements that took place were at the scale wage - no more. There were no women servants in the market. The Cockermouth second Martinmas hirings were held on Monday. There was a large attendance of young men who had failed to secure situations at the other hirings in the county. Hiring was slow, as farmers generally are opposed to (next few lines unreadable.) _________________

Posted with permission of the transcriber, Ann Selchick. Geo. <I didn't realise that labour 'hiring markets' continued so late into the 20C. Neither did I, Geo Jean in Perth Anyone know when they were phased out?> THE WEST CUMBERLAND NEWS, Nov. 21, 1931 SECOND HIRINGS ______ Few Engagements at Penrith and Cockermouth. That an abnormal number of men were left without employment after Penrith Martinmas hirings last Tuesday was evident by the large assembly in Burrowgate on Tuesday when the second hirings were held. Several hundreds of would-be workers gathered, but farmers in search of men were very few. Work is well forward on the farms, and it is stated that there will be much more land in grass next year, that the prospects for absorbing any more labour are distinctly poor. Farmers as a rule satisfied their minimum wants last week, and on Tuesday 'hiring' was practically non-existant. The few engagements that took place were at the scale wage - no more. There were no women servants in the market. The Cockermouth second Martinmas hirings were held on Monday. There was a large attendance of young men who had failed to secure situations at the other hirings in the county. Hiring was slow, as farmers generally are opposed to (next few lines unreadable.) _________________ ====================================================================<<<