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98
"In these 708 workshops, etc., there are employed, on an
average, upwards of 8,000 women and girls.
"Cubic Space.—In the 82 workskops, etc., newly registered,
114 rooms were measured in order to ascertain the
number of persons who may lawfully occupy each room,
upon the scale of 250 cubic feet per person, in conformity
with the requirement of the Factory and Workshop Act,
1895, Section 1, which accords with the scale adopted by the
Vestry in 1893. Numerous other rooms in workshops already
registered, were also measured, such rooms having been enlarged,
or newly opened as additional workrooms.
"Overcrowding.—Twenty workrooms were found to be
overcrowded, being five in excess of the number in 1898.
These cases occurred at dressmakers' establishments, the
majority of them in the south district. In one case, the
same workroom was found overcrowded on four different
occasions, and the matter was reported to the sanitary committee.
At present, the nuisance is remedied, but I am keeping
observation as the season advances. In a newly discovered
workshop, 9 persons were at work in a room with
cubic space for 5 only. On re-inspecting, I found a second
room in use, but the first room was still overcrowded, 6 persons
being at work in it. On two subsequent visits no overcrowding
was observed. I am, however, keeping observation on these
premises also.
"Defective Workshops, Yards, etc.—At many of
the registered premises, chiefly laundries, roofs and floors
were found in a defective state. In several cases the necessary
work of reparation was carried out after service of written
intimations only; in other cases after service of statutory
notices. Several yards and washhouse floors have been
levelled and repaired, much to the benefit of the employers and