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49
Provision is made for the division of the sample into two parts and the sealing
thereof, and the obstruction of any officer in the execution of this duty renders the
offender liable to a fine not exceeding £5.
The various premises of bedding manufacturers, upholsterers and other shops in
the City of London where flock might be used in the conduct of the business, have
been visited, and the warehouses and workshops thereof inspected, but in no case does
it appear that rag flock is used or intended to be used.
In all the upholsterers' workshops in the City, it is the custom, where any rag flock
or other rubbish occasionally used in chairs, or other articles sent for repair, is found,
to destroy the same, and substitute hair, new cotton flock, mill-puff, &c., in the
remaking.
Any person convicted of an offence against this Act shall be liable to a fine not
exceeding in the case of a first offence, ten pounds, or in the case of a second or
subsequent offence, fifty pounds.
FACTORY AND WORKSHOP ACT, 1901.
FACTORIES, WORKSHOPS AND WORKPLACES.
The work required to be done under the above Act continues to increase, the
total number of premises registered being in excess of any previous year.
The premises at present upon the Register number 4,028, and represent 7,977
workrooms, &c.
As mentioned in my previous reports, a new register is made every year, containing
only such information as is necessary for the current year's work. This special register
also serves a necessary purpose in connection with the report required by the Act to be
sent to H.M. Home Office each year, the figures required being abstracted from it.
The yearly register is also useful in another respect, the premises being entered in
numerical and alphabetical order, which greatly facilitates the work of inspection, as
well as making it more easy for reference.
In the reference book to Inspectors for 1912 there are 4,738 entries, and there
were 3,572 notices served during the year for various purposes under the Act.
The condition of the places inspected shows a general improvement as time
proceeds.

Of the 3,232 Factory Workrooms registered, 2,058 were occupied by men only,
546 by women only, and 628 by men and women.