I. Application for admission as qualified workers for the school must be made to the Manager by the applicants in person, and they must give two references to prove their position.
II. Applicants must fulfil the following requirements:—
(a.) They must be gentlewomen by birth and education.
(b.) They must be able and willing when employed to devote seven hours a day to work at the school.
III. Every applicant is required to go through a course of instruction, for which £5 is charged.
IV. The course of instruction consists of nine lessons in art needlework, of five hours each. If after the first two lessons, in the opinion of the teacher, the applicant is not likely to be successful as a needle worker, she will be recommended to retire, and on so retiring the £5 will be returned to her.
V. The school enters into no engagement to give employment to any lady.
This last rule is practically not carried out, as ladies are never allowed to take the preliminary lessons unless there are vacancies for qualified workers.
It is difficult to give the probable earnings, as all work is paid by the piece; but I have been able to gather that the average earnings are from 20s. to 30s. a week. This sum is practically only exceeded by very quick and clever workers.
During the holidays given by the school, ladies are allowed to take work home, so their incomes are only limited by their own industry, or perhaps I should say lack of it. About 120 ladies are employed, and I understand there are a considerable number of candidates for each vacancy as it occurs.