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French polishers, painters and decorators 2,447
Clerks, typists, draughtsmen 2,345
Boot and shoe workers 1,760
Workers in paper and cardboard and book
binders 1,648
Metal workers 2 1,631
Skin and leather workers 1,213
Builders, bricklayers, stone and slate workers 1,139
Printers and photographers 1,130
Food, drink and tobacco workers 1,026
The majority of these workers probably work
out of the borough. We have no complete figures
as to the number working in the borough or as to their
industrial grouping but it is generally known that
the principal local industries are tailoring, dressmaking,
boot and shoe making, and furniture making.
Another large group of workers consists of
carmen working for the L.N.E.R. or other transport
businesses in or near the borough. A substantial
number must also be engaged in distribution, there
being some 1,438 shop-keepers and managers residing
in the borough, apart from the assistants employed
in local shops.
A curious industrial question was submitted to
me during the year in the form of an affection of
the skin which occurred among the employees in a
cabinet making workshop. Despite enquiry, no
satisfactory explanation of the trouble was found.
It may have been due to some infection conveyed
by the timber. Analysis of a sample of glue used
did not reveal any useful evidence.
HOME WORKERS.
Of the 2,068 names of workmen and contractors
which appeared on the lists received, 1,587 were
given as residing within the Borough. These figures
are approximately double the number of individual
workers, as in the majority of cases the same people
are notified in February and in August.