ALICE'S LETTER TO HER READERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 15 May 1890, Page 37

ALICE'S LETTER TO HER READERS.

The subject of domestic service introduced by " N. G." in her article on " The Toilers of the Household " and continued this week by " Biddy " is one that will bear a great deal of discussion on both sides, and further remarks will be inserted with pleasure. A great deal of what has been said is very reasonable. The servant girl question remains an unsolved problem, while many big questions are being asked and answered. "The sweating, system " is taking up a good deal of attention just now, and there is no reason why servant girls should not have their say. The fact remains that every year it becomes more and more difficult to get thoroughly domesticated, reliable girls, and the mistresses who are successful in this respect regard themselves as fortunate. The wages are good, and there must therefore be some very tangible reason why girls prefer the poverty of the factory or workroom to the shelter and protection of a master's home. Will not the mistresses state their side of the question and let the girls answer for themselves ? Every class knows its own grievances best, and no theory from an opposite side of view will meet the case half so efficiently as actual experience. "They are an idle, good-for-nothing set," is the cry of many of the mistresses. "We are ill-treated and tired out," reply the girls ; " treated as machines, and not as flesh and blood,'" they say. You remember in Mrs Beecher Stowe's pathetic story " Uncle Tom's Cabin," how astounded Mrs St. Clair was that Eva should lend her gold vinaigrette to the black nur&e Mammy, who was suffering with headache. While trying to show Eva the enormity of treating a servant just like one of themselves, the aristocratic lady was dumbfounded to hear that Eva believed that servants suffered just the same pains as their mistresses.

So far as public amusements areooncerned, there are none just at present with the exception_of the Shakespearian season at the Princess Theatre. The Miln Dramatic Company is in every way deserving of much better patronage than they have received. The dresses and the mounting alone have been well worthy of a visit, independent of the attraction of such a sterling actor as Mr Miln. People seem, however, to be losing their taste for tragedy, no matter now finely pourtrayed, and a minstrel entertainment draws forth more enthusiasm than suoh excellent performances as those given by Mr Miln. We may be growing more refined and cultured every year, but this fact perhaps would scarcely indicate that such is the case. The high pressure of living absorbs all the earnest emotion, and people look upon their amusements as the only means of diverting their thoughts. Among scholars the immoital bard will always rank supreme, but the mass of pleasure-loving people are not deep thinkers, and think Gilbert and Sullivan far more sensible men than the Bard of Avon. The University students witnessed " Macbeth " on Saturday night, but some of them would no doubt think it tame beside one of the capping ceremonies. Miss Wooldridge's farewell benefit concert bids fair to be a great success. Mr Barth is to be the musical conductor, and the names of three of Dunedin's favourites — Mesbis Densem, Smith, and Jago — will be among the gentlemen vocalists. We are also promised a treat by Messrs Barth and Schacht's Saturday night concerts later on.

The greatest event socially this week has been the wedding of Miss Hallensteiu and Mr Frank Hyams, of Dunedin. The ceremony was performed in the house, and so a great many people who would otherwise have given themselves the pleasure of wit - nessing it were debarred from doing so. The

wedding was a very grand affair, and a number of distinguished guests were present. The bride was the recipient of some magnificent presents, quite £1000 worth falling to her lot. Mr Hallenstein, with his usual liberality, entertained the employes of the firm on the evening of the wedding to a delightful ball.

[To ensure publication in the forthcoming issue letters must reach the Witness office not later than Saturday night.] MAKAREWA SOCIAL.

The members of the Makarewa Mutual Improvement Society opened their session on the 2nd with a soc'al, which proved to be a very enjoyable affair. The weather was delightful. The schoolroom wa3 artistically decorated with evergreens, ferns, and mottoes made with flowerß, which gave it a striking appearance on entering. After a number of songs, recitaUonß, musical bolob, and addresses were gone through, 6upper was partaken of, and the room was cleared for dancing. Music was supplied by Messrs A and J. Radka, Mr John Kalmn acting as M.C. The following are a few of the prettiest dresses I noticed among those worn by the Indies present :— Miss Kalmn, cream dress with pink sitin veafc, sash, fan, and gloves to match ; Mrs Gedney, white dress with pale pink sitin ye^t and white gloves; Mißs Hogan, black dress with pale blue satin vest, and evening Bhoes ; Misa Wilson, navy dress with cardinal vest, cuffs, collnr, and sash; Mies Lind, cream bodice and pink skirt ; Miss Morrison, grny dress ; Mrs l?adka, black cashmere trimmed with silk ; Miss Judge, light grey dress ; Miss M'lvor, cream bodice and black grenadine skirt, with cream silk glovea and fan ; Miss Buxton, dark fawn dreßß with black vest. A few songs were given during Ihe evening by Messrs T. Cook, W. George, and Mrs Frily, which were much appreciated. Tancingwaß kept up till the small hours of the morning, all seaming to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. —Ivy.