THE LADY HOUSE AGENT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 639, 16 October 1909, Page 12

THE LADY HOUSE AGENT.

•' -.BY-MES:: HUGH ADAMS. ' . .. Writing in a London paper, Mrs. Hugh' 'Adams tells of a now profession for women which should surely be as profitable in Wellington as in.England.. , The _business of the lady'houso agent (she 6ays) is ono that is slowly but surely coming to tho fore. It may bo that the demand has created tho supply, it may bo that women, intent upon competing with men in nil branches of _ work/ have discovered how particularly suitable'the bnsincss.of houso agency is to thoso of their sex who possess the ntlvantage of practicability and experience in all matters connected',with tho household. Whatever the cause, the result is that already several lady house agents have dono excellent pioneer work in London, and aro oven now busy trainihof pupils in the-work which, from so many points of view\ has.much to Tecommend it w the woman who, possessed of a little capital, is anxious to become the maker of her own fortune. If undertaken in its entirety, there is no doubt that tho profession of house agency is'one that is all the bettor for masculine cooperation, and many of the best firms of lady houso agents have found it to their advantage to tako a partner or to engage a manager of the sterner sex. But there still remain many . branches that a capable woman can quite well undertake alone. This is particularly noticeable in tho caso of lotting of furnished.honsos, a branch of the business which has developed to,an enormous extent during the last 'few ,ycars. In this direction; tho lady agent has had a golden opportunity, and. what is more she has seized it and made the most of it.. Her expert knowledge in matters domestic makes hpr invaluable from the incoming ' tenant's point of view, her help being particularly use-, tnl in view of her .'thoroughness in the matter of inventories and all that makes for Comfort and discomiort in the way of furnishing and ' household. appointments. Moreover, her. help, is quite as invaluable from the letters point of view, fdr not only is she able to save the intending'tenant a good deal of unnecessary trouble and many fatiguing, journeys to and fro, but she is otteri able to suggest to those desirous of letting, their houses whero theirin- ■ vontory falls short of the required mark and •where, it might with advantage, bo supplemented and their house mado moro attractive to intending tenants. An especial branch of this business open to '■ women who have neither the money nor tho time to train professionally, and so undertake' the bulk of the .work that a house agent: is required to do, lies in.the direction of seaside, 'conhtry,:and town apartments:. Anyone who has in utter ignorance set to work in this direction, and,, has ; tramped from : ono unsuitable apartment to. another, can appreciate what ■ . a.boon and a blessing it would be to find an j j export in such mattors, who for a small fee ' would make.it.her.business to supply reliable ; information.'and/net as.an .agent, between do-. ';. sirablo landladies y arid' tenants.' •'. One, well' , known lady agent,!whoJhn3';a ; 'busfheßs at-'ptie • of the south, .coasf resortsi- began, hbr.vwork > in 'this.-way/and gradually'built up her connection, gaining littlo by little the" experience ■ that'.sho required foi tho business".that now

brings: her. in a'.very 'lair income;. l?or,>.glverii the average'ambunt ;of - 'commorisense.'.good health, andj determination:,,not. to bo beaten (luring 'the.' firsti.nphill struggle, hoiiso'' agepcy irom\a'.woman's .tiolut:of view'can' be made'-'to' pay' qpitb as well as any other branch' of employment: which has comb to' be recognised'as women's work.': The best,way to'train is with-' out,doubt_by serving an apprenticeship to some-good firm that taltes in pupils,.and whero. pne.is able to gain experience in:the various branches of tho work day. in,'day out. ■': rPromiums -for such training vary from £50 for six months' training to a year for three, years', course of instruction in house agency and house decoration...' Such a training ought', to. equip any .woman with ! . a profit ablo: employment, which should bring her in a steady income and provide her with an occupation ' that is by. no means arduous, but lull of.varied;interests arid enjoyment.-