SPINNING IN NEW ZEALAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 143, 16 June 1917, Page 16

SPINNING IN NEW ZEALAND.

Although Auckland has been in possession of spinning machines since last February, so far they have not been seen at work. In Wellington the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Navy League have taken the matter up most energetically, and been working to establish the very ancient and pietnresqne industry of spinning. On- Monday last her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool formally opened the rooms devoted to this old-fashioned art. There was a large and fashionable jjntliering present. Much assistance has been received in regard to the industry from various sources, not the lenst of them being the presentation of a 'bale of wool from Mr. George ■Moore, of the Wairarapa. After thanking her Kxcellency for her presence, and for her good wishes regarding the success of the undertaking, Mrs. HallThompson explained that the objects of the Spinnery were two-fold. In the first place, the idea was to work for the benefit of naval charities, etc., and secondly they hoped to evive the old industry of" spinning. Miss Green was next "asked to give v demonstration of spinning, and the different processes—the

combing of the wool on the hand card crs. roiling it gently round till it looked in shape like a long pat of butter, an.l then finally the actual spinning of it into yarn followed with the keenest interest. Like most things, there is decidedly a knack about it all. and the beginner ie apt to makp the yarn very uneven in thickness, and to break it as well. When it is car.led the wool is the softest and lightest tiling imaginable, and it is rather fascinating watching it gradually being transformed into the long, slender strands that are afterwards combined to secure wool of different plys according to what is needed. I'udoubtedly the occupation is a most becoming one. and the hearts of those people who so greatly fear that women in these Rtrenuoue days are becoming unfeminised would be greatly comforted to see them at the spinning-wheel, which, afUr all. was so great a friend to the women of the country in the early days. The word which is used is chiefly undyed half bred of fine quality, unscoured, and it is hoped later on to arrange for the sale of handspun wool to people who require it for patriotic purposes. Her Kxcellency the Countess of Liverpool is the vice-presi.i.-nt. Mrs. Hall-Thompson (founder) is the president. Mis. C. E. Kichardson the hon. treasurer, and Mrs. Bra.-lney Williams honorary secretary.

An English paper of April prints an appeal for 30,000 milkmaids to enrol immediately under the national service scheme for women to work on the land. Nine thousand one hundred and ninetylive signed enrolment forms had been received up to April 13, 7.14 per cent boing applications from Scotland, the remainder from England and Wales. The same paper says that thirty women storekeepers, with a knowledge of motor parts, arc being asked for the Royal i'lying Corps.