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76
FACTORY AND WORKSHOP ACT, 1901.
FACTORIES, WORKSHOPS AND WORKPLACES.
Since the year 1902, when the above Act came into operation, the work of
inspection has continuously increased.
The Register of Workshops compiled by H.M. Factory Inspectors
contained the names of 1,452 firms, and this number has since been increased
to 1,927; while the Staff, which has been increased to five, is still insufficient
to cope efficiently with it.
The work of inspection is a laborious one, and the character of the Register
continually changes from year to year owing to additions, removals, changes
of name and description of the several businesses registered, and needs
continuous attention to ensure a correct record being kept. It is not unusual
for workshops to develop into factories, or vice versa, entailing elimination
from one register and re-registration in the other.
In addition to the figures before mentioned, 524 firms are now registered in
the Factory Register, 837 in the Register of Kitchens of Restaurants and Tea
Shops, and 103 in the Register of Workplaces (other than kitchens) where
food is stored or prepared, &c.
During the year 4,643 entries were made in the book recording references
to the Inspectors concerned, together with letters received, &c.—16,570
names and addresses of outworkers were sent to other local authorities, and
2,643 notices were issued. This is in addition to correspondence, and
abstracting necessary information from the Registers as required by the Act
for the information of H.M. Factory Department, a work which absorbs much
time and attention.