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pay was low. Many people who have previously
been found to be fairly comfortably off, are now
struggling to “make both ends meet”; those who
had lived in the larger houses and more respectable
streets, have to do with fewer rooms or remove to
poorer neighbourhoods; and women who have not
taken in nor gone out to work must now try to
obtain it. To mention another evidence of “bad
times,” several employers have stated that they intend
closing their workplaces, and giving their work to be
done by outworkers at home, because they (the
employers) would not then be put to the cost of
renting, lighting, warming and maintaining expensive
premises.
The condition of the workrooms is, on the whole,
fair. Where nuisances exist they are dealt with as
they are discovered, and the employers are generally
ready to meet the wishes of the Sanitary Authority.
As has before been mentioned, the greatest difficulty
is the ventilation of the workrooms. The means
exist; but neither the value of fresh air, nor the many
dangers of an impure, overheated atmosphere are
rightly understood. The number of unventilated gas
stoves for heating irons continues to decrease, as,
when found, it is required that Hues be provided to
the stoves or their use discontinued.
Further enquiries made throughout the year confirm
the statement which has been previously made,
i.e., that the mothers of the young children are not
industrially employed in this Borough to any very
great extent. It was found that 80 per cent, of them