WILT THOU SEW THIS MAN’S BUTTONS ON?

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1035, 11 February 1882, Page 4

WILT THOU SEW THIS MAN’S BUTTONS ON?

Captain Russell, of Napier, although he was hauled up by the electors some time ago for sending Home to have his trousers made, evidently does not wish to send them Home to get mended, remarks the Rangitikei Advocate. To encourage the use of the thread among the children of the public schools in Hawke’s Bay, he offers annually prizes for sewing, &c. This year he gave a Singer’s sewing machine to the girl who could best perform the somewhat difficult task of seating a pair of trousers ; a prize of a work box for making a night shirt and cutting out a pinafore ; and a lady’s companion, to the best darner of stockings. The result was there were ten worn-out trousers “ fixed up ” equal io new, four night-dresses made, and seven pairs of stockings darned. Captain Russell is doing good work in this direction ; and Sir Win. Fox, also, recognised its importance by the encouragement he gave the children while distributing the sewing prizes in Marton. “ Girls he said, - learn to I sew buttons on and mend clothes, If : I accidently tore my trousors at the '

knee, or my coat, or wanted a button i sewn on my shirt, you could not do i the repairs needed with a sewing machine ; they would have tn be done with a needle and cotton —il is of the utmost importance, then, that you should learn to sew.” Turning to the i boys he said, “ Som-i of yon will be t married some dav. if yon behave yonr-s-'lvrs. Well, supposing your wife ; brought you a nice clean shirt to put ■ ' en, and wnen von had gut it on yon I i found a button was gone. V> I there be a row - Yes, yes,” shouted I the bovs. and how foolish you would I look (turning to’he girls) if you were not able to sew it on. I reinember : hearing tiiat in America an addition ha 1 been made to the marriage service, “Wilt thou sew this man's batons on:” The girls ktnvhcd heartily, but the words are sure to be remembered, and will bear good fruit in years to come.