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133
still retained her maiden name on her employer's books, at another
time the homeworker had sold her business and the newcomer had
adhered to the name first on the register " for fear of losing the
connection." One outworker was alleged wilfully to give a
wrong address—so that for some years past it has not been found
possible to inspect her premises.
Three of the homeworkers were under 20 years, 12 over 70
years, and one over 80.
The trades pursued were as follows:— Cardboard box and
paper bag making 149, tailoring 45, artificial flower making 42,
blouse, apron, skirt and mantle making 40, ties, braces, belts 38,
ladies and children's outfitting 34, millinery 26, umbrellas 22,
brush making 17, shirts and collars 10, embroidery 9, furlining 8,
boot making and repairing 5, burnishing 4, and other trades 26,
making 475 in all.
Of the whole number 114 lived, worked and slept in one room
only, 182 had 2 rooms.
Sixty-nine pursued their work and nursed their children too.
Altogether 106 notices were served for various sanitary defects
—there were 15 cases of overcrowding, 4 notices for dirty
verminous bedding—the rest were chiefly for dirty rooms and
dilapidations.
Twelve of the outworkers were in receipt of poor relief, 7 had
old age pensions, 87 depended upon their work for daily needs,
and had no other source of income. In 61 cases the husbands
were out of work and the wives supported the whole family.
Nearly 80 per cent. were reported to be in good health, 2 had
phthisis ; the rest were ailing.
Two notices were served upon employers to the effect that the
homeworkers were at work in unwholesome premises and asking
that the issue of homework should be discontinued.