FO371-23515 — Page 199

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the rate shown until all available undamaged premises are taken up. There are still some in which machinery is intact which have not yet been re-occupied. Repairs to premises are being made by landlords in preparation for possible return. The number of undamaged premises is, however, limited.

Significant Few Flants.

Among the more significant applications for permits to build new factory premises received in the office of the Building Surveyor during November were: a large weaving shed and extensive staff quarters to house 450 workers which are the third and fourth units of a large new textile plant already partly operating in the western district; a large new weaving shed in an established mill in the Eastern district; a medium sized cotton weaving plant; two new silk filatures; a spindle making plant; a bakelite factory; a brass rolling plant; a seasoning powder factory; and a large briquette factory.

(a) ⋅ silk Filatures.

Characteristics of the New Industry

The number of silk filatures continues to increase. At the end of September, the number known to have opened or to be preparing to open was 29. The number now known is 37, of which 2) are in the Settlement and 17 in the western Extra-Bettlement ares. of these, 30 are in operation and seven are in process of erection or installing of machinery.

During a survey of an area between Robison and Singapore Roads, a silk filature, newly constructed, was found, of whose existence nothing previously was known. It was found that the instellation and layout embodied all the beat features which have been consistently advocated to all filatures during the last several months. A vindication of the educational methods of the Industrial Bection was evident.

(b) Tanneries. Tanneries also continue to increase in number and size. At the end of September the number given was 80; there are now more than 80. They are for the most part in three concentrations - in the Amherst Road, Columbia Road District, there are mine: opposite the Jenafield Station there are 15, and between Singapore Road and Robison Road, 16. There are some larger well run plants which do not constitute an offence. Others, lacking adequate water supply and drainage facilities, and not observing good practice, are most unsatisfactory.

(e) Indigo Dyeing Plants.

(d)

There are 16 of these known, largely in the Amherst Road, Columbia Road District. The unpleasant smell from these is occasioned by the use of wine dregs in the fermentation needed in the dyeing process.

Waste Bilk Pactories »

There are several of these in the vicinity of Keswick Road. After silk is reeled in filatures the pupae are sorted in Keswick Road and elsewhere. Those on which any silk remains are separated from the bare pupae, which latter ave sold for duckfood. The others are combed and the fibre, after being straightened, is spun and used as sewing silk. The unpleasant odour is the accompaniment of decompo- sition of the pupae after their immersion in the silk reeling process in the filstures.

/(e) Feaving

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