WOMEN AS TRAM DRIVERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2711, 4 March 1916, Page 11

WOMEN AS TRAM DRIVERS

THEIR. SUCCESS IN GLASGOW. I have been watching a woman driving a tramway car through Glasgow's most crowded streets. I did not know they had "allowed'' women to drive their cars, in Glasgow, so the sight took me by surprise. It suggested an experiment at first, and one is rather loth to bo experimented upon. But aftor half an hour oil that tramway car this idea vanished. During the first few moments, I will confess the arguments against employing women on work of thi? kind wore unpleasantly obtrusive. I remembered that, accordius to reliable .authorities, women are unfitted to cope with an emergency requiring rapid decisions. They lack the nervous force which is a man's reservoir of force in an evil hour; they are apt to "lose their heads"; they tend to respond too violently to excitement. The car came to a standstill in a traffic block, while I was turning over these ideas, and I was suddenly aware that this event had taken place in a manner so nicely regulated that there was no sort of a jar or jolt. It had not been thus on a maildriven car I had ridden in. a short time before. The car started again in most gentle fashion, as though it was learning good manners from its driver, and was anxious to do her credit. Then, as we were running along a well-known thoroughfare, a taxi-cab shot out from a side street just in front of the car. It looked for a moment as though something were bound to happen, and I saw several of tho passengers casting ' anxious eyes at the trim green-clad figure on the. other side ' of ■ the glass door. The girl disappointed their fears; tvitli a quick movement she cut off the power and applied the brakes. It was ivell judged, for without inflicting undue discomfort on its freight, the car slowed down just sufficiently to allow the taxi-cab to pass, and then seemed to get! into its stride again almost automatically. That incident banished the arguments against, employing women as drivers.* But it brought other thoughts to inind.. This girl clearly was not only able to drive her car; she was an exceedingly good and careful driver. She was a better driver than many of the men iii the service, because she spared her passengers and her vehicle while they very, often did not. Her mind and interest seemed to be in the business. She gave the idea that she liked the work, and took a pride ill it, and was determined to excel in it. There was no hurry or excitement about her handling of the car; on the contrary, she remained calm and alert. Indeed she took herself and her work very seriously. This was impressed Upon one at the halting places, whero in other days one was accustomed to hear the men exchanging pleasantries with ono another; 'Women, while at work, apparently do not descend to such light-hearted demonstrations. .When a woman works, she becomes "deadly serious" ; her face'is set in a stern expression. She gives her whole mind to the business. It happened that the same day I heard a civic authority in Glasgow expressing his views concerning these women tram drivers, and the other women who are* replacing tlio men in the work of the northern city. He said that the results of employing women had justified the most extravagant hopes. The; women were a great success. Thev seemed in some cpscs to, bo more efficient than the men. Thev we often more punctual, more careful, more conscientious; They worked harder, and gave the impression that tliey liked their work. For these reasons' woman, had justified herself so far as tho city was concerned, and it would be a very difficult matter any longer to refuse her a voice in its control.—-From tho London ''Times." i ;

Red Cross Day. A Ked Cross Day, organised by Miss Tendali, Miss Nicliolis, and the Misses Coleridge, is . to hp, hold in Miss Tcndall's tea-rooms on the Thursday before Good Friday, in April next. • There will he talis for produce, sweets, flowers, fancy goods, etc., and the rooms will he siven up to this objcct the whole of tho day.

. The following guests Tverc at the Hotel Braeburii, Wanganui. during the past fortnight Mrs. ami Miss Cottrell, Rapier; Mr; and' Mrs. Baxter, Huntervil'le j Mr. awl Mrs. Jno. M'Call, Trenthani; Mr. Ivan Campion, Mr. Desmond Campion, Mr. Leo. Campion, "Okiraa," Fordell; Mrs. 6. Clelland and family. Wellington; Misses Vivien and Hazel Patterson, Manaia; Mr. and Mrs. AV. L. Ward and familv, Hamilton; Mr. H. fi. H. Grave, Wellington; Mrs. Leo. von Haast, Mrs. Richardson and daughter, Diinedin; Mr. and Mrs. Phil. Pike, HJketahunn ; Mrs Hugh Rnchfort and family, Feildijig; Mr.. A. H. Steeds, tVew Plymouth; Mr. D. M. D. Jemiins, Waitara; Mr. Wm. Connor and Mr. Claud Smith, Ruorikia: Mrs. T. Currie und Miss M. J. Currie, Brunswick: Miss L.'M. Marshall, Mart-oil; Miss.M. M. Atkinson. Feilding; Mr. John E. Engel. Johnsonville; Mrs. Gaisford, nurse, and nhild, Bulls; Mrs. Blcnnerhassett, Waverley; Mrs. Christie, Waverlev; Mrs. Coff.v, "Wanganui River; Mr. W. |i". Newman, Cliristchnrch; Mr. ! and. Mrs. R. G. Baxter, Dunedin : Mr. and Mrs. E. R. .Beckett, Hinau, Pembortoii; Mrs. Meirieking. Sydney,; Mrs. Leon Wilkie. Perth. W.A.; Miss Norma Max-K-eli, Stratford; Mrs. J. Lonsdale Pritt, . Auckland; Mr. J. W. H. Martin, New Plymouth ; Mr. ' Herbert Simmonds, ~nd; Mr. and Mrs. Hampton. Hmstohurch; Misses Cameron 'iand FTill, Gisliorne; Mr. A'. 'Walker, Mr. and Mts. A. C. Falconer, Melbourne; Mr. P. Robertson, Qisbornc; Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Lynch, Wellington; Mr. O'Hacau, Eltliam; Misses Vlorris (2). 'Wellington: Mr. Jolly, Palmerston North; Mr. T. Leo. Priam, Devonport. Auckland: Mr. Grant, Palnerston North: Mr. Pearson, Wellinnwn; Mr. R. M. Carter, Auckland; Vlt. W. Evans- Wellington: Q.M. Sew.t. J. 0. Felly.. Ransriotu: Mr. W. Dmviddie, Napier; Mrs., and Misa IVcod, Hnwera: Miss Llovd, Pahiatua; Dr. and Mrs. Skerman, Marton: Mrs. V. Day, Palmerston; Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew. Rangiotu: Mr. and Mrs. Andrew, Kaikoura: Miss -N. Nettling. 7am, Hastings, H. 8.; Mr. A. 0. Norlen, Auckland: Mr. P. M'R-ae, Wcllinjt:on: Mr. and Mrs. J. 0. Morton. Aiickand; Mr. and Mrs. Hobday ._ ■on: Mr. J. W. Climie, Hastings; Mr. F G Chnmhnrlnin, Los Aneelos; Mr. md Mrs. W. P. Fowler, Auckland; Miss 1. Dick, Mr. R. A. Hamilton, Mr, and Vfrs. J. R. Rutherford. 'Auckland; Mr-, Vtrs.. and Miss Gifford-Marshall. Miss M. K. Marshall. "Tatu Totara, Marion; Misi Lovell Nieolls. During the evening wings were sung bv Mrs. Maysmor and Miss Martin, and Miss Mariorie V/ilcorks recited. Supper closed the proccdings. Tile Petone Ladies* Rifle Club met for its usual nracticc last evening the Petone Dnll Fall, and the attend,T,nc° was qond. The new rifles were used for the first time, n"d some sood ( scores were registered. Owine to the J reception to Captain TTardham, V.C., t the meeting was shortened. |