Motoring- as a Rowan's Profession.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 73

Motoring- as a Rowan's Profession.

With -women always on the look-out for new fields of labour, it is rot to be wondered at that their attention has been turned to motoring. The days of the. woman chauffeur — 1 mean paid woman chauffeur, the woman taxi-cab driver, and the woman motor 'bus driver — may t>e far distant, and probably may never come ; but it is safe to say that the day when motor car driving will be a sine qua lion ! to women workers in some spheres may not be far distant. It was left for Miss Bacon, a well-known and capable lady journalist, who has made a careful study of women workers and their needs, to open up motor-car driving as a new occupation for women. Some time ago, in the course of her duties, she visited the motor schools in Heddon street, Regent street, and it occurred to her that it would be a good idea if women were to take up motoring as an added accomplishment, so v to speak. She gave • the idea careful , thought, and as a result the Motor Schools. Ltd., of Heddon street. Regent street W., are now being used as a training college for educated women who wish to adopt motoring as a piofession. " There are many lady doctors (said Miss Bacon in an interview) seeking and I securing medical appointments, and it [ may be that those equipped with the i R.A.G. driving certificates will quickly ■find suitable posts as officers of health for elementary schools, or as clinical assistants to owners of cars. There are also many trained gymnasts, skilled in ; remedial gymnastios. who will increase the scope of their duties by taking their patients for motor drives. Nurses, too, there may be, in whose charge there are convalescent and other delicate invalids, who would secure better salaried posts if t capable of driving the automobile. Manyladies now secure engagements as social guest entertainers, who assist the hostess with her social duties, pay calls, and see ( to it that the guests are made comfortable and happy. If motor-driving is added to the list of accomplishments the ( social guest will prove of great value, being competent to drive the guests to and from the railway station, to take them for short expeditions to view the adjacent beavity spots, for there is nothing | about a motor car that is beyond a _ woman's ingenuity and care, provided she is skilled and interested in the work."— Melton Manners, in the Young Woman. . i