tions taken in order to ensure perfect safety to the workers. All persons working in the factory are searched on entering. They must also wear woollen jackets from which the pockets are cut out and sewn up. They then go to their respective sheds, and put on a pair of huge over-all safety boots of brown leather of quite a fashionable colour, without any nails.
The houses in which they work have much that is interesting about them. They are wooden buildings about 16 ft. long by 12 ft. wide, and of a proportionate height. Small gas jets are placed outside the windows to provide light when working in the winter.
Charging shells.
The floor is covered with linoleum or lead, and the interiors are scrupulously clean. When it is mentioned that a Government inspector has fined the firework manufacturer for allowing a cobweb to be seen in one of these little houses, it will be understood how clean these places are, and how totally free from grit or dust. All girls who make fireworks, and who are responsible for the cleanliness of their dwellings, should make capital housewives. Everyone of these sheds is licensed for the different operations which are carried on inside.
The number of people and the amount of explosive matter allowed in the building during the operation of filling are set forth on little black boards placed outside near the door. We quote the contents of one of these boards in order that it may be more readily understood.
A. Filling and charging. Fireworks 50 lbs.
Composition 25 lbs.
Number of persons, 4.
Or—
B. Finishing. Fireworks 100 lbs.
Composition 5 lbs.
Number of persons, 6.
Or—
C. Packing. Fireworks manufactured or completed 1,000 lbs.
Number of persons, 4.
Of course, these rules vary in some of the sheds, according to the character of work which is carried on within.
In one particular instance the work has to be so minutely done that only 30 lbs. of composition for fireworks is allowed in at one time, and only one person permitted to be inside.
At the door of these buildings pails filled to the brim with water are placed in a handy position, and the working sheds are 25 yards apart, and the magazines from 25 to 75 yards apart.
We now peep into some of these firework houses; having put on our boots in order that we may abide by the rules, we enter and watch their tenants at work.
Charging heavy rockets.
In one shed they are charging rock-
