LADIES' GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2565, 13 May 1903, Page 61

LADIES' GOSSIP.

— The Duke and Duchess of Cqnnaught have immensely enjoyed their Indian trip. The Duchess is a born tourist. She seems but to have one dread — namely, that sha should miss some interesting experienca which the ordinary tourist would find out for himself. She spares herself no trouble, no fatigue; and those intelligent eyet ofi hers seem to see all that is to be seen in most comprehensive fashion. The extreme plainness of her travelling dress rather amazes people. Her light flannel coat and skirt is always fresh, - certainly, but then it is severe in cut and quiet in colour ; and the big white veil wound round her plairt straw hat is kept neatly down by long; black-headed pins which any nursemaid might wear. She holds herself admirably.; One. looking at her, is instinctively reminded that she is a soldier's daughter, al soldier's wife. One who knows her well declares that whe.i she clicks her littla heels together and bows straight from the waist she reminds one irresistibly of a smart German officer. Well, the child of the Red Prince and the wife of our soldiej* Duke has a right to military airs! Hec figure is still slight and supple, and Ehe looks so young that one is tempted to forget the existence of the three grown-up children at home. The Duchess haa the happy gift of getting amusement out of the vicissitudes of travel, and can laugh at bad weather and rude inns and enjoy the rough and tumble of a real incognito when she is fortunate enough to be able to secure it. The Duke and she are capital comrades, as well as husband and wife ; and mora than once their attendants have caught the echoes of the peals of laughter which have been aroused by some comic experience, on which they have eagerly seized. Robust health, good spirits, aaid kind hearts — no wonder the Duke and Duchess of Connaught are popular! — A profession which is especially appro* priato for women to follow is that of inspectors of factories where women workers are engaged. Women inspectors of fac* tories are comparatively recent appointments. At present there are seven women inspectors in Britiin, who are appointed at a salary of from £200 to £300 a year, and one of these is inspector of factories in Glasgow. The post is an interesting one. The work includes the superintendence of all matters of importance to the health and well-being of women workers in factories. Candidates nominated by the Home Secretary are required to satisfy the Civil Service Commissioners that they possess all the necessary qualifications. They musfc pass an examination in English composition of an elementary description, arithmetic, sanitary science, and law relating to factories and workshops, and one of three optional subjects — elementary physics, chemistry, or history of industrial and social legislation in the United Kingdom. It is not often that there n. a vacancy on the list of women factory inspectors, for tha staff is small, and tha posts are much sought after. The remuneration is, ol course, unusually good for women's work, and the original outlay is not very considerable. There is the cost of "coaching" or tuition in the above subjects, and art examination fee of £1 is required. In this profession it is interesting to note that appointments are made subject to the condi* tion of retirement on marriage. This condition is natural enough, when we consider that the factory inspector must devote her whole time and energy to the work she undertake.?. SEe has to superintend everything relating to the ventilation, cleanliness, temperature, and drainage of the fac* tories, and thoroughly understand the con-

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