Ways of Living

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 441, 29 September 1904, Page 7

Ways of Living

HOW I KEEP HOUSE ON j63 A WEEK JN BN&LA.ND. fJSKHB household oonßista of four per* |JW| sons, and the sett iscome amount tff&s to M a week, After carcfall* readißg through my accounts, find the expendituie varies a little. The following lists show what is spent, taking one week with another. On first coming to this town I carefully tried the various shops until I found thoee which suited me best. These I stick to. I find that the shopkeepers kaow what I like, and being a regular customer, try to please me more than a stranger. I pay cash for everything save milk. This iB paid every Saturday. I have a slot mater, and la is the average cost of the gas. In summer it takes 7d to 8i; in winter 13 to la 2ii Most important of all, 1 keep daily accounts. On the kitohen door I keep a slats and pencil, and I dot down every item as it comes. Theaa I transfer at night to my house-book. It was a little troublesome at first, but I soon got used to it, and really it is a wonderful oheck on one; in fact I really belive that it is owing to this that I have never exoeeded my allowance above a copper er two. I make my own oiofrhes. Once a fortnight I have a woman in to do the washing, which ossfcs 2i 81; this equals Is 8 J pet week. £ a i.

A LONDON POLICEMAN'S INCOME. I am a police constable and aeingle man, and as I live in a Police Section House, no doubt an acoount of my diiure would ba received with interest. In the first place. I may tall you that the whole expense of the Section House is borna by the men living in it* The Benior man is appointed * caterer.' He provides us with dinner only, and also keeps an account of all sundries, which- include wages of female oookj cost of soap, Boda, firewocd, blacking* homewa3hing, etc. Qfl Mondays he makes up hiß books ana debits each man with an equal share of iha expensss, which usually amount to about 7s. The authorities charge ua 1j per week for our bed, and also deduct « per week for coals. Our breakfasb, teas, and suppers wo have to provide for ourselves. I will now give as near aa I can a faithful account of my weekly expenses. A e. d.

A LITTLE OPTIMIST.. The skits are gray, the keen winds blow. The air la chill wEth gathering-show, W« mortals draw '.ogt Around the hearih-ilre, hovering r.sar To catch the glowing, radlt-rt cheer, Thsugh often grumbling-, too, I fear, «*.. :th hearts that match ths weather. I peer through frosty window pan*, For hopeful signs I search in vsin, Ar.d sigh, for spring a-weary. "When, hurk! a voice falls en icy ear, I stait. surprised, it rings so near, TfcU merry whistle. inuc and clear. Of "Cheer up! cheer up! che-ery!" On yoader do? wood's slender frame A vivid dash of scarlet Same Lights ;ip the landscape dreary. A tlry kr.ikht Ir. gr.U s-u!t. Whose voice turns up his msllow lute With "Che-er up: chi-irup! che-ery !** ."•ot:. like a gleam of iu light, sta, H* flit* from :••*« .„ tree, Now ga>!y illhoui lling J«a!nst the clouds h'y Sashing form. Jfr.! what care» he ior »i? i snd j torso? lis* loving heart Us ev»r vrarm. He sees no cause fo: netting. A bUs-slng- on his scarlet coat And merry, lilting, tursefi:: note! Ah! who could now be dreary? Come, let us rti,rr. this ■ h«« i: xil sprite A lessor. learn: when co'.< -■ :r.d« Might, To whlstl* till our hem is jttot,- light, "Oh, cheer up! chitr up! cheesy!" —Marian Phelps, In Chicago Advance.

Bent and taxes ... Coal ... •« G»g ... ... Clothes „1 0 It 6 ... 0 2 6 0 10 ... 0 14 0 Pocket money ... Savings' Bank ... Holidays Batcher ... • ... ... ... o a a 0 1 § , 0 10 0 8 0 Baker ... ... Milk ,., ..,0 8 0 ,020 Vegetables... ,„ Groceries Washisg •« '" ° I 2 ... ...0 8 0 ... ... 0' 1 8 Sundries ... ... , 0 18 JS8 0 9

Share of housekeeping expenses, including dinners 0 7 0 Charge for bed and oo&ls ... 0 1 1 Towards pension and Providenl fund ... ... ... .-• Newspapers, tobaooo, aotepape'r, 0 1 0 and postage.., ... ... 0 1 3 Oiub.sick... ... 0 0 »i Personal washing, about ... 0 1 3 Pat by for clothing, boots, ete, 0 2 0 Groceries, including bacon, eggs, bread, sugar, milk, tea, etc, about... ... ... ... 0 3 8 Pocket money, average . n. ... 0 3 0 Post Office Ssvlnga Bank 0 1 7 8 0 4