DANGERS.—They have only had two accidents. One was with an ordinary sewing machine; the other was with a Bremner machine, when a little girl was setting it up. She caught her finger in it, but was not away from work a fortnight.
HOURS.—They work 48 hours per week, allowing one and a half hours for meals per day, i.e., from 8 a.m to 12, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.; on Saturdays, from 8 a.m to 12. This really comes to 49 hours a week if the girls are punctual, but he reckons 48 hours because they are not punctual.
PROSPECTS.—Only a chance of rising to forewomen.
(B.) Forewoman's Evidence.
REGULARITY.—It is a season trade and they are just beginning to be slack (March) in Miss X.'s shop where the new work is done.
HEALTH.—Miss X. "had been through it all," and thought folding dreadfully tiring. There is nothing specially unhealthy about it.
HOURS.—The hours are supposed to be 49 a week, but if there is any work they do not keep to that. A 48 hours' week only means that the time workers get paid extra. Miss X. worked in a place where they were supposed to have 51 hours a week but rarely made more than 40.
The firm make their girls stay as little as possible when there is no work, but this is very different to most places, as the workpeople are studied here.
(C.) Employée's Evidence.
WORK.—In E., Bible work and new or cloth work are quite separate, and there are separate hands for each. She did folding for the Bible work herself.