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maker. The material is placed in large cement tanks containing a
strong solution of lime, in which it soaks for some six hours. It is
then taken out, placed on benches, and scraped to remove the hair.
Finally it is packed into barrels and sent to the glue and size maker.
Remembering the dirty nature of the process carried on, the
premises are fairly clean. The walls of the arch are limewashed, while
the floor is well drained and kept washed down. There is no sanitary
convenience in the arch, but the two men employed live within 200
yards of the premises.
16. Skin Factory.
In this factory sheep skins are received, cleansed, dyed and prepared
for rugs and other purposes. The skins are received in the raw
state, except that there has been a preliminary process of sorting to
ensure preservation. First of all they are soaked and cleansed in a
solution of lime and water, thereby removing anything of a harmful
nature. Next they are thoroughly washed with hot water, soap and
soda, and then passed through rollers and dried in drying rooms heated
with steam pipes and coke fires. Grease is removed from the skins
with whitening, followed by another washing, leading to complete
cleansing. The skins are then put on a frame, stretched out taut, and
put into the drying room for the final process of drying. Those skins
which are to be dyed are placed in tanks, and when dyed to the
required shade are removed and placed, stretched out taut, in the
drying room. Finally, after drying, the skins are shaped and trimmed
ready for packing. The whole process takes from two to three weeks.
There are 37 males and seven females employed. For the males there
are six w.c's., and three for the females. The w.c's. are of pedestal
type, each in a separate, well-ventilated enclosure. The washing facilities
are taps over sinks. The artificial lighting, by means of gas, is
generally poor. The ventilation of the building is good. The process is
a wet one, not conducive to a good standard of cleanliness. Notices
have been served for certain cleansing work to be done in regard to
the male and female sanitary accommodation. The question of the
lighting of this factory will have to be considered at an early date.
17. A Shirt Factory.
It is a pleasure to examine a model, up to-date factory such as this.
The firm employ, locally, 748 females and 41 males, and the weekly
output is 900 dozen shirts and 8,000 collars.