The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-07-22

thing except my interest in the Hawai-
ian girls. -
But what are your objections, Mrs.
Wilcox!' asked Mr.. AZ.
II thought the lace-makIng should be
taught in the afternoon as well as in
the mornings replied Mrs. Wilcox.
Mrs Brunson was not willing to teach
after school l told her she should
teach after hours. The girls in school
could not afford to have the time taken
from their studies in the morning.
Some days she taught IA hours, and
sometimes ii no1rs. | objected to
that very strongly. | know many
times she lid not go there. The girls
came t. me anG SAID, Mrs. Wilcox,
We are having no lace making There
were at least six lessons lost at the
Royal School. I think lace making
should be taught also in the kaiu-
lani school, two hours week, but Mrs.
Brunson did not choose to take that
| time. Although then | had no. official
right to NEEDLE, l don't think that is
being faithful to the work.
This last was said somewhat testi-
ly .'To get $1,000 a year for salary
she should teach more hours. | think
tie Hawaiians are now competent and
should now take up the work. | have
never made it a secret to Mrs. Brunson
that l hoped the Hawaiian girls would
take up the work. After she stayed
a year, Mr.. Atkinson told her TO re-
main another year. [ am now convinc-
ed the Hawaiian girls can do it, and
am also convinced that during the
last year the work has not been pro-
perly done.'
''The complaint would seem to be a
matter largely of management and not
as to the quality of the work. sug-
gested Mr.. harrington. Mrs. Wilcox
fastened to say that she had said that
the quality of the lace was good and
that Mrs. Brunson was certainly a
skilled lace-maker.
cit would be lack Of management
and lack of interest, is that it9' in
quired Mr.. Davis.
Mrs. Brunson then stated that as
to the hours, it had been cut in two
by the department and by principals.
Once at the Royal School, Mr.. Mack
intosh had cut the time of her class
in half, explaining that just at that
time the girls were undergoing their
study examinations and it was neces-
sary to devote all the time available
to it. She had told Mrs. Wilcox of this
circumstance. She felt it was not her
business to interfere with the arrange
ments of those in charge of the schools.
As to teaching in the Kaiulani school,
she did not feel that it was in her pro-
vince to work up classes. That was
a matter for the Board to decide. She
had, however, gone to kaahumanu,
upon order of the Board and found
Miss Felker knew nothing about it.
However, Miss Felker fell in with the
arrangements and soon a class was be-
ing taught. The time left to her by
cutting down the class hours she de-
voted to preparing patterns and wind
ing pobbins. True, in the last few
months, owing to ill-health, she had
sought her home on occasions to rest
for brief period, or to get a glass
of milk, but she did this only when she
felt she could be spared when her
classes were going ahead with their
work properly. But she had not neg
lected her work. Even in the past
wear she felt she had never had such
good results. Girls have been enthu-
siastic and had come to her after hours
just for more instruction. There was
but one place where she had a model
room for classwork. The lights were
right, the tables the proper height.
At the Kaahumanu school, despite the
interest taken, the room was crowded.
AS to afternoon work, she had worked
to 3:15, when the teachers generally
left at two.
She then stated that when the lace
work was on exhibition at the Young
Hotel during the legislative session,
legislators had become enthusiastic
over the work, and two came to see
her at her home and said they would
be glad to support bill providing
for her salary the coming two years.
She was warned not to let the Board
fix her salary, as it could diminish it
at will. > She said the bill was put
through with the tacit understanding
that although her name was not men,
toned, she was to be the beneficiary.
Mrs. Brunson said that under the
circumstances she felt she could at least
expect from the Board letter stating
that her work had been satisfactory.
With this hope, Mrs. Brunson left,
and then Mrs. Wilcox said soto voce:
"She says she has done good work
at Miss Felker's, but it was because
Miss Felker really did it. You just
had to poke Mrs. Brunson along to
get her to do anything
And with this parting shot, the
tempest in the teapot subsidized, and the
Board adjourned.