Edric Glenfield

“ The Hero, having ascertained that the women in Sydney had some real grievances, at once set about to rectify them. He consulted with some friends in Sydney whose sympathy was on the side of the working girls, and they organised a system of campaign for the girls’ strike. Every respectable girl earning her own living was called out on strike, and received a pound a week out of Reginald’s own pocket. About five thousand girls came out, and the employers at once filled up their places with union men who were out of employment owing to the late strike amongst the men. ”

“ There are some mercantile establishments in Sydney which it is advisable for the public convenience should be kept open till a late hour, as their customers are principally men who are working all day, and can only get away after six o’clock to purchase any articles they may require. ”

“ Though the girls had behaved in a thoroughly lady-like manner, still 5,000 of them walking about Sydney together caused a great deal of inconvenience to the public, and traffic generally was much incommoded.
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To make an example, the Inspector-General ordered a constable to arrest one of the girl strikers. The policeman, who was a timid man where a woman was concerned, walked up to the girl, who was very pretty and well-dressed, and half raising his helmet stammered something about being very sorry, but would she mind coming with him? ”

“ It is whispered amongst people who are generally well posted in coming events that Reginald was so much [Pg 18] struck with the charms of one of the young lady troopers he met at the Constabulary Ball, that it is possible there may be some happiness left for him yet, though he will never forget the great sorrow of his early days, and can never even now look upon an amateur photographer without shuddering. ”

“ I allude to such a business as that of Ringbourne, of George Street, the bootmaker, whose business is done amongst seafaring men, and Ringbourne, by keeping open, is [Pg 7] benefitting the public as well as himself, but the people who deal with the drapers’ shops are mostly women, who can do their shopping in the afternoon, and have no need to do it at night. ”