THE VIRGINS OF AUCKLAND.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIX, Issue 4930, 13 June 1873, Page 3

THE VIRGINS OF AUCKLAND.

To tho Editor : Sir, — There have lately appeared two articles in tho leading columns of your journal relative to the question — " What shall we do with our boys?" and " With our girlf* ?" It is to the latter subject I request to draw your attention. Your article, and similar ones in the leading paperi of the day, always wind npby telling ua that " girls must be educated to become good wives and mothers '" and that tho " girls of the period" aro not good for that purpose — " more drawing-room ornaments" — useless ab companions for hfo. Now, Mr. Editor, you aro supposed to know everything : will you answer me this question — a question that is being ventilated in every quarter : — "How aro our girls to become wives ?" You say tbat more men would marry if girls ' ' made better wives"- -were "more domesticated." But where is the colonial girl (I am writing of them, of couise) who could not become a good wife if she chose, if being a good cook ami housokeepor were the chief thing in tho use of a wife ? From tho scarcity of domeitic servauts, I may say all colonial girls have had to turn their attention to tho culinary department and housekeeping. They have not been able to help themselves. Wo read of nothing but tho education ques* tion. Will you advocate an education for girls that will make them good Bpinsters ? Kecommend them a course of education that will givo them amusement and recreation at home ; a knowledge of music and painting. A lover of reading, and one who takes an interest in tho literature and leading topics of tho day, J say is more likely to make a good wife (if she gets tho chance) than ono who has principally turned her attontion to the cooking line, though that is good as far as it goet. What wo require is an opening for girla to make their own living ; and, if they do not marry, sooner or later many will have to do so. With the views of some men carried out, Auckland would be awarming with young ladies who wero good cooks, consequently good wives But where are your men — marrying-men ? Thero is an institution in London whe e every sort of needlework is for sale. A person can give an order for any kind of work. Tho number of wasted houra of tho numberless Auckland girls might be very properly filled up if there were an opening where, unknown, they might send their work : a constant bazaar in fact ! Auckland is fond of that kind of thing, where tho married women (happy creatuiea ') can procure everything for thoir household. I shall daily look for an answer to my question, and remain, One of ihk Thousavd and onk Virgins oi Auckland.