GOOD-BYE TO THE OMNIBUS GIRL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 87, 7 January 1920, Page 8

GOOD-BYE TO THE OMNIBUS GIRL

. THE LAST OF 5000. Wo have seen the last of the London General Omnibus Company's women omnibus conductors. London will miss the girl's familiar,' trim figure, her smiling face, and merry banter. For nearly four years the "conductress" has braved the- weather, the discomforts, the strenuous life of the London streets. During that time more than 31,000 women and girls applied for work, and nearly 5000 were accepted. Britain will never forget that the services of thoso plucky women nlono enabled tho London General Omnibus Company to -maintain ils services. Prom every part of the British Isles, tho gay, tho giddy, the good, and tho grave, from stage to scullery, - answered the call, enrolled in the splendid army of women workers, and, by way- of the company's training school, appeared "on the road." And what a road it has proved to them I The Road of Adventure for all, the Rough Road for some, and for others the Road of Romance, for many a marriago lias been arranged between the girls and their "fares," and, many a driver will be "conducted" through life by his little "mate." . . Despite the hardships of ;tho life, a very genuine regrot at leaving was expressed by the girls. Tho last batch (the first to bo employed) were entertained by the company at their Milman Street, Chelsea, garage, and were presented by Lady Stanley, with certificates of service, Among them was tho first "conductress" engaged—still serving in that capacity—who, during her long 6ervico of 976 days with the company, has,-it is estimated, run up and down steps to a distance nearly equivalent U) threo times round the world. "It's been a hard life, but a gay one, all the girls agreed; and while they were loath to go, and sad at leaving, the reinstated and returned men have been loyally, gladly welcomed 1 ; for cne and all of "the women have been quick to realise that ther unwelcome dismissal is but the natural result of that glorious victory for which they worked unceasingly, and' for which their loved onc6 suffered and laid down their lives. What aro these -women going to do? Most of them aro going a-holiday-mak-ing. Very few have fixed plans; most of thorn tjild me that they arc going to "tako a rest and look round."—By G. Ivy Saunders, in the "Daily Muily."