REVEALED BY THE CENSUS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3244, 14 June 1911, Page 2

REVEALED BY THE CENSUS.

CALLINGS ONE NEVER HEARS

ABOUT,

The taking of a census proves once more the truth of the adage that onehalf the world does not know how the other half Jives. How many people have lieaid of a time-seiler, an occupation which is not overcrowded ? Every census has shown that there is such a"trade —a trade which is classified, in fact, but only because it is followed by one person—a lady. WHAT IS A ‘ MATCHER”?

For seventy-five years the trade has been carried on by one family; first by the father, then on liis death by his wife, and now by the daughter. The oiginal founder of the business had a chi'cnomeiter corrected at Greenwich, and lie then sold-the time to various watchmakers and jewellers. At his death the Astronomer Royal granted the same privilege to his wife, and now the daughter follows her. - Another little-known trade is that- of bronze-coin distributor, rendered necessary bv the increase of automatic machines of all sorts and the growth of penny and halfpenny tram- and bus fares. Such men have their regular customers, who take a specified number of the- humble coins in change for others of higher value.

A certain number of men will enter tlieii calling as “matcher,” with some qualification, as there are several branches of the work. A professional matcher is very. useful to auctioneers. When, sales take place at houses, and the preliminary inventory shows that sets of- fairly valuable china and suchlike are not complete, the matcher will endoavour to obtain the missing article. The same name is armlied to those whose work it is to match colours in yarn. This may sound simple; but if the shades are very nearly the same it takes a trained eye to recognise the difference. HUNTING FOR SNAILS.

There may be little in common beween medical and science schools and .people who run private aquaria as a bobby, but they all keep one small trade going. This is that <n snail and weed hunting. It is. also one of those callings that does not make much of a showing in the census returns, as there are only about a score of men in London who follow it. They collect watersnails and weeds for aquaria and frogs for the scientists. .

For those who like an open-air life and know something about natural history it is uot an unintersting occupation, although not exactly remunerative. The price or snails is between is and 6s a thousand, while the dealer usually gives 4s a hundred or frogs. Another gentleman whose business lies with snails is known as a snail-taster. He is employed by a firm who import edible snails, and lie has to test the consignments by eating one or two.

“LOVE-LETTERS WRITTEN HERE” The census reveals that here is distinction between a tripe-dresser and a tripe-seller. The former is a member of a. skilled and well-paid trade that is not overcrowded, while the latter may be the most humble individual. Other trades' that are Jitle heard of are shorthand engravers, black-beetle exports, tin openers, and coeoanut-shell dealers. The enumerator will come across many callings upon whose work the dictionary. will throw little light. A “topper” is engaged in the making of shirts, a “scorer” turns out fancy cardboard boxes, while a “steeler” is indispensable to lie manufactory of ladies’ corsets.* As might he expected, the alien quarters of our big, cities possess a number of queer and primitive occupations. Mnuv of these undesirable _ people are quite illiterate, so the professional letterwriter earns quite a good living; while a, hot-water seller does not make at all a bad income.