LADY TELEGRAPHISTS IN VICTORIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3282, 13 August 1872, Page 3

LADY TELEGRAPHISTS IN VICTORIA.

We quote the following from tho Argus' report,of th'o proceedings in the Victorian Legislative Assembly on the 25th ulL:^Mr Mason said a numbfcr of Indies had waited, on him—(laughter)—he meant, a deputation from the ladies who had passed an examination in telegraphy at the Technological Museum. On their behalf, he wished to a3k tho Postmaster-General whctlier it was his intention to have those ladies who hud recently passed the "examination in telegraphy appointed to positions iv the public service ; and if he would take into consideration their claims in all future appointments to his; department i

Mr Langton said his regard for the claims of the ladies was quite equal to the hon. member's ; at the same time he was unable to make the pi'umise the hon. member asked for. The fact was that ther-a was a, class for instruction in. telegraphy'in connexion with theTcclmological Museum, and a Lvrge number of ladies—some widows, who had been left with children—had learned 'to operate, and they at once expected that an opening would be made for them in the Telegraph department. „ Thero vcre. very few vacancies.—(Mr Mason ;.Ho ; w are promotions made ?) Promotions were made from those who had begun at the bottom. There was ft number of boya who entered tho service an me»eengera, and who. 1/ioked, forward t# t^e, vacancies that occurred in tho curative branch as * reward for faithful and zealous services. Xliat, coupled with the cimitu-

stance that it was not every uoat that a lady could be appointed to, rendered it impossible for him to hold out any strong hopes. He had found one opening ; but in country places, in connection wit'i post ollices, it would bo witliiu his jwwer to apj>oint a limited nnmliur, but the applications ap[>oared to be in excess of what he should be able to grant for tho next 12 or 18 months.

Mr Mason : Only J1 passed tho examination.