A Dictionary of Occupational Terms Based on the Classification of Occupations used in the Census of Population, 1921.

ORDER XXVII.—PERSONS ENGAGED IN PERSONAL SERVICE (including Institutions, Clubs, Hotels, etc.)

913.—Matrons and Stewards In Schools and Other Private Institutions

governesses' institution keeper: keeps a hostel or boarding house for governesses, see boarding house keeper; usually also runs an employment agency, see employment bureau manager (771); cf., house mother.
hostel steward (school): see steward (hospital, etc.).
house mother: (i) responsible for the general care of the members of a household or small community, performs some of the;; (ii) in poor law cottage homes is in charge of group of 10 or 12 children and takes place of mother; manages house or cottage with help of elder children, buys food, prepares meals, mends clothes; reports illness to superintendent at central home.
master (hospital): see superintendent (hospital).
matron (hospital, institution, training college): supervises domestic arrangements, catering and has general care of institution premises; in some cases is primarily responsible for catering and kitchen staff; in others the kitchen is specifically excluded—the duties varying according to type of institution.
matron of school: supervises the women's staff; is responsible for general welfare of the resident scholars; in some instances takes charge of the mending of children's clothing and care of linen.
procuratrix: purchases directly or by proxy all food and other commodities required by an institution.
steward (hospital, hostel, etc.) ; hostel steward (school): is responsible for the catering arrangements and supervises the men's staff; buys the stores required; engages and pays the staff.
superintendent (hospital, etc.) ; master: supervises all departments of a hospital or institution and is responsible for the general management of the establishment, including provision of medical stock, etc.
warden (orphanage): as for matron.

From: A Dictionary of Occupational Terms Based on the Classification of Occupations used in the Census of Population, 1921,
Ministry of Labour, 1927. Digitised by Peter Christian, August, 2016. This text is in the Public Domain.