A WIFE WANTED

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3666, 30 October 1912, Page 9

A WIFE WANTED

CANADIAN EMIGRANT’S OFFER TO A HEALTHY GIRL.

REMARKABLE DEMAND FOR ENGLISH WIVES IN CANADA.

An interesting letter from an old Stepney man now resident in Winnipeg, asking to be supplied, with a wife from among the women inmates of tlia workhouse, has been received by the master of tire St. George’s East Workhouse. The letter, which is very lengthy, is well written and well composed," although the spelling is decidedly shaky. “I hope,” sifys the writer, “you will think kindly of this letter, and excuse me for taking the liberty of writing to you. I'left your parish eighteen months ago, and have been doing very well since I came out here. I was not'sent hpr'e by any aid society but paid my passage. I get the English papers and read of the poverty in the East End of London. It is a great pity when out here there is a chance for everyone who has a little brains. There are no pawnbrokers here, and they are not wanted. Every person is dressed' in a respectable manner. All shops are closed at six in the evening, and no place is open on Sunday. Jam earning 15dol. a week myself and my room and food free. This" is as*good as £4 in English •money, and is not high wages for this country. In the body of your house you have some very deserving cases of young women who have been almost starving, and have gone into the house rather than do tlve worst thing a woman can do. Or again, there is many a good girl led astray by some who call themselves men and who have gone into the house to get over their trouble and hide their shame.. lam a respectable man, and knowing gentlemen like yourselves take an interest- iu these‘things, I am asking you will you be the means of making one of these inmates happy for the rest of her life? It would cost the parish nothing. I would send . her ticket over, the voyage would do her good, nn-;l the climate here is very liesutliy. In fact there is nothing to be afraid of as long as she is healthy. Sir, if you can do me this great honor—it has been done before —1 shall be thankful for the rest of my life. “These are my conditions, and I think they are not hard: (1) Any English girl, sixteen to twenty-three years of age, who is strong and health,,- and not deformed, and lias no one to look after but herself and her child. They will Doth receive every comfort in return for faithfulness and •honesty: (2) any girl who lias committer her first offence for felony and has been bound over at the Thames Police Court; (3) any girl who has tried to take her own life and has been put in your care, or any girl who lias health and strength, hut who lias no homo or friends, and is willing to try a bettci life. No girl is'to lie over oft din in height, and not to lie over twentythree last birthday : strong and light-ly-built preferred ; dark or fair makes ho difference; if possible cheerful and clean habits; it makes no difference if she can read or write, but no drunkard or girl who lias ever linen on the streets is wanted.” The writer proceeds to state that o-i receipt of the photograph of a suitable girl he will forward £lO for her passage from Stepney to Winnipeg. Then follows a description of himself, in the course of which lie states that lie is strongly built and healthy, never having known any sickness ; quite liomclv; never drunk since lie left the Old Country: is thirty next birthday; honest and'straightforward, and considered good-looking. He adds: “You may ask the question : Are there no girls in Canada? My answer is this: Of all the thousands of girls sent here it. seems to make no difference. Wherever yon go there are girls wanted and cannot be got. There will never be enough to supply the demand, live wages are good, from lodol and 25 dol per month, all found and a good home. A tradesman here is no good without a wife. T myself wish to open a store, an.d I cannot do so by myself, and if I bad a female with me I would start at once.” The writer conc’udes with a promise that lie will mari’v the girl within three days of arrival, and' if she should change her mind lie will find her a good situation, “and t will try St George’s cnee more.” , . , Unfortunately for the writer, the guardians, to whom the letter has been submitted, have decided to take no action in the matter.