Telephone.—The United Telephone Company, 36, Coleman Street, Moorgate Street, employ about a hundred young ladies, chiefly the daughters of professional men who have received few educational advantages, and no special technical instruction. The requirements being small the salary is in proportion, commencing at 11s. weekly, and rising slowly to 16s. Candidates must be between the ages of 16 and 20. Those whose parents are in trade are not eligible.
Shorthand Writing.—The power of writing in shorthand is a very valuable acquisition, especially to bookkeepers who also act as correspondents, as it frequently enables them to obtain larger salaries than they could expect without it, and there is an increasing demand for female shorthand clerks. Translators also occasionally employ them to write from dictation, and sometimes it happens they can get work as reporters.
Miss Pritchard, of 83, Edgeware Road, is highly recommended as a teacher. She says it requires nine months to learn, and perhaps from six to twelve months' practice afterwards, to become a proficient writer, so much depends upon the individual ability. She herself began to earn money by it at the end of the first nine months. Her charge for tuition is a guinea for thirteen lessons, one every week. She can usually arrange to give the lessons, if desirable, in the evening, so that they need not interfere with any daily employment in which her pupils may be engaged.
The rate of pay shorthand writers expect to receive is twopence a folio (72 words). Of course for this they have to make a fair copy of their work in ordinary writing.
The Metropolitan School of Shorthand in Chancery Lane undertakes to ensure proficiency for a certain fixed charge. I understand that the sum of £5 is the maximum amount.
Post Office Directories.—Messrs. Kelly and Co., of 51, Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn, employ a considerable number of female clerks to assist in compiling their Post Office directories; they will take girls from the age of fourteen, and the only necessary qualifications are reading and perfectly legible writing. The pay commences at 8s. a week, and increases 2s. a week every year until it reaches a pound. The hours are from half-past nine until half-past five, excepting on Saturdays, when they leave off working at four o'clock. An hour is allowed for dinner, which must be eaten on the premises. The duties are decidedly easy, and the hours light. Applications for employment must be made by letter, but vacancies seldom occur.
Junior Army and Navy Stores.—These recently-established stores employ ladies as clerks; the preference is given to daughters of military or naval officers.
The necessary qualifications are a thorough knowledge of arithmetic, a slight acquaintance with book-keeping, and good legible writing. The hours are from nine to six, with an hour's interval for dinner. The salaries commence at £40 a year.
Prudential Life Assurance.—One hundred and sixty ladies are employed by this Company at their offices, Holborn Bars; only daughters of professional men are eligible, and they require no special qualifications beyond an ordinary English education. The hours of work are from a quarter to ten to five o'clock; on Saturdays until two. The comfort of the lady clerks has been studied to a very great extent, an excellent library and piano are provided for their use, and a refreshment room, where they can obtain luncheon (for which an hour is allowed) at a moderate price. The flat roof has been converted into terraces, where they may take exercise during their luncheon hour, and they have a separate entrance and staircase to that used by the male clerks.
They are paid £32 the first year, £42 the second, and £52 the third; after that time their salaries increase according to the value of their services. The duties principally consist of copying and writing letters from notes.