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closet, under the stairs, with no direct light or ventilation to
the outer air, being abolished, and a new one constructed in
the yard. Twenty water-closets found to be either dirty and
dilapidated, or defective in water supply, were renovated, more
or less satisfactorily.
"Warming of Workrooms.—At two dressmakers'
establishments in South Kensington, one containing two, and
the other three workrooms, the atmosphere was found to be
close and oppressive from heating by gas jets. This defect
was remedied, and the rooms are now properly warmed—in one
case by asbestos gas fires in the grates, and in the other by
ordinary fires. The provisions of the Act with respect to
warming are now very fairly carried out, with great addition to
the comfort of the workers, and, I believe, with advantage to
the employers.
"Tidiness.—I have been pleased to observe improvement
with regard to the sweeping and tidying of workroom
floors,and havenot had so frequently to call attention to unswept
and untidy floors as during the previous year.
"Complaints are occasionally received, and always
attended to: they are sometimes anonymous. In one such
case complaint was received, through the Home Office, as to
want of ventilation in the show rooms, and overcrowding in
the bedrooms, at a large drapery establishment. I made a
thorough investigation into the matter and found no cause
whatever for the complaint. The accommodation generally
was, indeed, of an unusually satisfactory character.
"General.—I am pleased to report that my visits are, almost
without exception, welcomed by employers, who now generally
recognise the obligation and propriety of carrying out the
duties devolving upon them under the Acts of Parliament and
the Orders issued by the Factory Department of the Home
Office. To the best of my ability I have endeavoured to