View report page

88
persons were at work. In two dressmakers' establishments,
one in North Kensington and one in South Kensington, girls
were found hiding in cupboards, so as to make the numbers
in the workrooms appear correct. In both cases the employers
acknowledged themselves to be in fault, and on my next visit
additional rooms were in use.
"Defective Workshops, Yards, etc.—At many of the
registered premises, particularly laundries, roofs and floors
were found to be in a defective state. In several cases the
necessary work of reparation was carried out on the service of
written intimations only; in other cases after service of statutory
notices. Several yards were well paved during the year,
and others were more or less properly repaired, much to the
benefit of the employers and employed alike. In numerous
instances the staircases leading to the various workrooms were
found very worn, and in some cases unsafe. These have been
repaired, and in three cases the staircases have been almost
entirely renewed.
"Cleansing, Whitewashing, etc.—Numerous workrooms
and staircases, and passages connected therewith, were
cleansed and whitewashed, or repapered, on service of intimations
or notices.
"Sanitary Conveniences.—One new water-closet was
ordered at a laundry in the north district, the number of
women employed therein having considerably increased since
the place was first registered. The employer, however, having
decided to remove the business to larger premises the order
was not enforced. Three water-closets with no direct light or
ventilation to the outer air, have been much improved by
means of windows picrced through the outer walls. Twentythree
water-closets, found to be either dirty and dilapidated,
or defective in water supply, were renovated more or less
satisfactorily.