Domestic Servants’ Half-Holiday

Southland Times, Issue 13501, 18 July 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

Domestic Servants’ HalfHoliday

A correspondent in a Northern p»per writes as follows on this subject: — In reply to ‘Parlourmaid’s’ letter I would sty. Eiret,as regards her demand that her admirers "should be allowed to visit h*r without restraint at her mistres.’ house, I think it a very bad rule for a mistress to allow inch a proceeding. It is impossible for a mistress to pry into the behaviour and character of every young man from whom her servant may receive admiration. The girl herself may be deceived by tbe mar. Ho may be a thief or a drunkard,or a burglar’s accomplice for all that the mietres* oan tell. Most mistresses, however, allow a servant a holiday at least once a fortnight when she esn arrange a meeting without wasting her time billing and cooing in the kitchen. Secondly, as regards her dislike to westing a cap. This is only a sign of the aversion to authority and wholesome discipline which is unfortunately displayed by many young colonials. They seem to have a false spirit of independence, which prevents them from recogniiing the honorable.

nature of thorough service. Every pnggliah female servant wears a white cap and apron and black gown (and very respectable and nice they look in them.) Every man-setvant, whether bntler, footman, or groom, wears his appointed dress, every soldier wears bis uniform,every butcher his blue apron, every mason his white cap and apron, and so on. Why should a colonial domestic be the only one to object to wearing a dress appropriate to the employment? The reason is, I am afraid, that many of them do their work in a half-hearted way, and have never been properly trained to their calling by their mothers. Thirdly, as to ‘Parlourmaid’ practising daily cn the piano, I see the following objections—She would disturb everybody else in the honse. Her presence alons in the room would bo objectionable. The piano would want frequent tuning. I r is undesirable for a girl to become a piaooplayor at all unless she can spare enough time to become a really good player. If the parlourmaid playa why should not the cook, also the groom and cowboy ? If ‘ Parlourmaid’ expects to dance with the gentlemen why should not the men servants claim a right to dance with the ladies? The mistress might want the piano herself. I think ‘Parlourmaid’ had better go into the Jmusical profession, which little as sbe may think iy is a much more arduous one than house service. She might then leave her good place to be filled by some sensible, industrious girl,who would respect herself and bo respected by her-mistress.