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63
Workrooms were usually kept in a cleanly state, and that the
Wash-houses attached to Laundries were properly drained,
and foot-boards provided for the workers.
The exemption from control under the Factory and Workshops
Act of laundries where not more than two persons from
outside are employed, leads, in a district like this, to a considerable
amount of laundry work being done in premises not
adapted for it. Cottagers, to increase the small family income,
take in washing, and this has necessarily to be done in
the scullery or living room. From time to time these places
are discovered in the course of general inspections, and steps
are then taken to secure the carrying on of the work in such
a manner as to prevent unhealthy conditions arising therefrom.
It is to be regretted, however, that for such places
there is no system of legal registration, which, while not being
used for exercising unreasonable supervision, might have
beneficial results, both for the workers and for those for whom
the work is done.
The general condition of the kitchens in connection with
the Restaurants was satisfactory, but it was necessary, in two
or three instances, to request the occupiers to provide suitable
covered receptacles for their refuse, and also to arrange for
its more frequent removal.
The improvement in the sanitary condition of the Workshops
and Work-places which come under the jurisdiction of
your Council cannot be gainsaid, and this would appear to be
largely due to the periodical visits paid to these premises.