THE LONDON SHOE BLACKS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 785, 4 May 1877, Page 4

THE LONDON SHOE BLACKS.

—o— It will astonish some people to hear •of the extraordinary sums earned by •our London ri ho e-black Brigade boys. Some 13,000 have passed through tho nine societies formed in London. On an average 400 boys are employed at a time. The total earnings last year "were LI 1,000. In the Central Society alone 7G boys earned last year L3OOO, •of which L2OOO was paid to the boys themselves, being over L3O each. Mr Macgregor (“Rob Hoy”) mentioned these facts at the meeting of the London School Board held last week. A 'further interesting fact also came out with reference to the boys of industrial schools. For some time certain philantrophists have advocated the drafting of some of these boys into the army, and on the authority also of Mr Maceregor, we are able to say that 60 boys were selected some time ago from ■different industrial schools and sent to •various artillery batteries, in some instances much against the wish of the ■commanding officers, but they are reported as doing exceedingly well. They go in at the ages of 151 to 17 and can come out again at their option after 91 years’ service. They are all found uand 7da day.—Loudon Correspondent.