THE FITTER'S "MATE."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 193, 21 July 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE FITTER'S "MATE."

ANOTHER NEW WAR TATE

In many workshops the fitter's •'mate" or assistant is being replaced bv feminine labour.

In a long, low workshop a man and his mate were "stripping' an engine. The room was tilled with deep shadows cast by the warm sunshine that streamed through the open windows tu the roof, and heavy with the purple smoke that rose from a brazier of burning charcoal. Under a narrow circle of light thrown by a swinging electric bulb, the two were busily engrossed in their work. The fitter was a typical engineer, whistling gaily over his task. But what a strange figure had replaced the old familiar fitter's "mate," a position held by an ever-changing succession of •youths, all with perpetually unshaven chins and the end of a cigarette stuck between their lips. The newcomer was humming a song in a low soft voice. Her hair reflected the spun gold of the sunlight as she bent over tlY> engine, eager and happy, working side by side with the fitter, .i real mate, a man's mate, providing yet another proof of woman's adaptability to work which has hitherto been regarded as wholly outside her province.

S!v* was cleaning out the gearbox, a trim figure wearing a sensible uark blue overall, which, while providing her clothes with ample protection against grease and dirt which her work created, allowed her to retain h«?r feminine charm. As I crossed the room she looked up with a smile. "Are you the new fitter?" she asked eagerly, and when 1 answered her n the negative she addon, regretfully, "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm looking forward to the arrival of another 'engineercss' in the shop; I get a wee bit lonesome at timos."

Then she continued her work, thrusting her hand again into the grease and dirt of the gear-box with a wonderful* business-like air that told of an experienced hand and complete understanding. "Do you like the work-" I asked her. "The twenty-iive shillings a week help to keep things going while "-he men are away," she answered evasively'. "And you don't find the strain too severe?"

"Oh, not at all," she replied, "but it gives one a wonderful appetite. Thank goodness it's nearly dinner time."

"Do you go out to eat?" I asked. "No," she replied; "I've got a little room fitted up here, where i heat niv own food. Would you care to join me?"

"Rather," I said, and r.s she frankly admitted her own lunch would be ;n----sufficient to satisfy the appetites ol both,vl went out to buy food while she continued the work siie was engaged on.

When I returned she was still ousv, using a spanner with th,e familiarity ot an experienced man. She was giving valuable assistance to her fitted in a number of ways —handling saws, ales, and hammers with the air of a trained mechanic, and sparing no pains to ensure accuracy and satisfaction. The fitter showed 110 hesitation in relying completely on her judgment and anility. He certainly recognised her value, and gave her ample proof of his high esteem by the very obvious confidence he showed in her. At the stroke of one o'clock both he fitter and his mate dropped their tools after the maimer of ail true workers, and nothing could have been a more truly convincing proof of the lull extent to which women have replaced their lighting predecessor;.. With the instinct of true femininity my little friend proceeded immediately to wash and "tidy up" when we readied the room that had been tHbuglitfully set aside for her —for whether :. woman be working in an omnibus, ;ii a munition factory, at the docks, or <>n the land she will always remain a toman. While she brushed her hair and powdered her nose 1 tried lausagcs over a charcoal life. The appetising odour must have curtailed the toilet somewhat, for the sausages were scarcely cooked when an anxious voice .n----(juired : "Isn't it ready yet? I m so hungry!'' An overturned box served ior n table, but we had the unexpected luxury of ;i tablecloth, of clean knives and forks, and dainty crockery. While we sat at our informal meal she told me of her anxiety to Learn !ier business thoroughly. " I've been here six months," she said, "and have never felt the lea-t bit weary of it. Perhaps,'' she continued, "that i.s because, before undertaking' it, 1 realised fully what the work was going to be and so took it easily, avoiding any attempt to over 1.) it. I start at nine and leave off ;.t five. The short hours, 1 believe, have enabled me to 'carry on' so satisfactorily, and have prevented me fro.n feeling anv ill effects." Then she continued with pride, to tell 1110 that her husband, a motor engineer, was an attested man, and tint when he left home to answer the call ot the country she was going to "run' his garage "on her own. "It's only a little country garage, she said, "but it's a good business that mv husband has built up and workel hard for. It was our first home,' i:e added simply, "and we love it! She pictured to r.:,e the little attached where she reigned as mistress; speaking lovingly of the garden thev 'had tended together with the tiny troiit stream running through, where thev had fished in their leisure hours. LUt-nil!", I understood why lie was .roing out to tight for boo e and countrv. ami the wonder! ul incentive -l.e had to keep thing" going until his -<•- turn. I' or love and pride ol the eountrv and Kmpire is the dominant spirt that reigns in the heart < 1 every nun, in the heart of eve, y woman the love of homo. , vy SA \|)KIIS.