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260
1911]

Although there has been a reduction of two in the number of factories on the
register, the number of women employed in the new factories is about 150 in excess of the
number which were employed in those factories which have been closed or removed. Several
large premises which had been empty for a considerable period were opened as factories
during the year.
The cleanliness of the conveniences remains, on the whole, unsatisfactory,
although there are a number of exceptions. It is amazing to find the great
differences in cleanliness which sometimes occur in different sets of conveniences
in the same building. This is due to the fact that a different woman is
employed for each set, and although the women have the same time and materials, yet in
one place the pans and traps will be spotless and in another extremely foul. So much
depends on the standard of cleanliness of the workers employed. The majority of the
nuisances found are to a considerable extent the fault of the employees and not the employers.
Owing to defective home training many of the women appear absolutely indifferent to dirt.
Two instances of this came under my notice lately. In one place I found the pan of the
only convenience completely blocked and in a disgusting condition. On questioning the
women I ascertained that this nuisance had been in existence for five days and yet not one
of them had taken any steps to have it abated. In another place I found a small yard
strewn with tea leaves and fragments of food, although a dust bin stood within six feet of the door of
the mess-room. Insufficient accommodation was found in four factories, but these defects
were remedied or were being remedied before the close of the year. In one factory
separate approaches to the conveniences were required and the necessary alterations were
made. I find that in some factories, although there is a sufficient number of w.c's. provided,
that is on the basis of one w.c. for every 25 females employed, yet in actual practice the
law is broken. Thus in one factory employing 40 women, 2 w.c's. were provided, but 35
women were using one accommodation and only five the other. However, when the matter was
pointed out to the manager the necessary re-adjustment was made.
All new premises provide most adequate lavatory and w.c. accommodation, and not
merely the minimum of the latter demanded by law, which indicates increasing care for
the well-being of the employees. Other indications of this care are not lacking; several
factories added new or improved mess-rooms, some exceedingly well equipped with gas-ovens