THE FIRST BARMAID.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 885, 21 February 1907, Page 21

THE FIRST BARMAID.

When were barmaids first employed in English licensed houses? It is a question (says a writer in the “Daily Telegraph”) few could answer offhand; but Miss vVyatt-rapworth, the energetic secretary of the Women’s Industrial Council, could throw some interesting light upon it from the reminiscences of an eldeny lady who had a.l her life taken keen interest in the work of women. It was at the time of the Crimean War, when there was a dearth of young men for civilian employment, and an enterprising London publican engaged an exceedingly handsome girl to serve in his bar. The innovation caused considerable sensation and much adverse comment, but his business went up with a bound, and naturally his exampie was widely followed. Barmaids having met a temporary want, were afterwards regarded as a necessity and their employment became general. The last census returns showed that in England and Wales there were some 27,700 women thus engaged, and shed some curious lights upon their ages. Thus, between the tender years of 10 and 14 there were 25, and from 14 to 15 there were 134. At the other end of the scale were 20 over 05, and three veterans of 75 ! Quite twothirds of the total number engaged are between the ages of 16 and 25.. In the County of London there are 7632 thus employed. From some statistics compiled for the joint committee, it would appear that by far the greater number of those “wanted” through advertisements or agencies must be under twenty-five, and a photograph is almost (invariably demanded. Wages appear to range from 5s to 15s a week, with board and lodging, and it seems that there is usually keen competition for vacancies. The' hours’ are the longest that any woman (other than the sweated home worker)' has to face, for a ful y-

licensed house in London may be .open for hours a week. Of course, intervals of rest are generally given, but instances have been given before Royal Commissioners of work from 9 a.m. to 12.30 a.m., with only an hour’s rest, while the “cleaning up” after closing time is often a source of grievance. It is frankly admitted that an attraction of the vocation is the chances that it offers of matrimony. The great drop that occurs in the figures regarding those in it over 25 shows that these are exceptionally high, while, of course, there is the possibility of meeting men of all sorts and conditions, and thus obtaining a wide range of choice. The mt of one, however, who fails to find a husband is often a sad one. Unless she has sufficient capability to become a manageress, she will find generally that she must make way for the younger and more attractive.