| FACTORY ACTS, 1871 (RELAXATION OF STATUTORY LIMITS). 
RETURN to an Address of the Honourable The House of Commons, 
dated 15 April 1874 ;—for, 
“ RETURN, for the Year 1873, of each Instance in which, in accordance with 
the Factory Acts, 1871, Relaxation of the Statutory Limitation of Hours of 
Labour has been Granted in Factories and Worksuors coming under the 
WorksHops Acts ; the Date of Granting such Relaxation ; the Reason in each 
Case why such Relaxation has been Granted ; a Description of the Manufac- 
tures in which such Relaxation has been Granted ; the. Duration of each 
Relaxation; and whether and how often such Relaxation has been 
RENEWED.” 
DISTRICT OF MR. REDGHA 
By Order of the Secretary of State, dated 28th December 1871, young persons, of at 
least 14 years of age, and women, were allowed to be employed as follows, in certain 
occupations dependent upon the seasons of the year, to wit: — 
Tailors. 
Dress, mantle, and palet6t makers. 
Milliners. 
Hat, cap, and bonnet makers. 
Shirt-collar makers. 
Boot and shoe makers. 
Braid, fringe, and fancy trimming makers. 
Artificial flower makers. 
Bonbon and Christmas present makers. 
Valentine makers. 
Fancy-box makers. 
Almanack makers and finishers: 
Firewood cutters. 
By such Order they might be employed for one hour and a-half beyond the ordinary 
hours of work, for not more than five days in a week, nor more than one month at a 
time, and for not more than 96 days in the year. 
By Modification No. 2 of Factory Act, 1871, it is enacted that an Order hl be in 
force for such time, and during such periods only, as may be specified in such Order. 
Upon the issue of the Order authority was given under it, to certain establishments, to 
work overtime for one month. (See Return, House of Commons Papers, 1872, No. 121.) 
But an experience soon showed that it was not desired generally to work overtime for 
five days a week, consecutively, for one month, therefore the same number of days were 
authorised to be spread over a longer period ; and as it appeared that it would be sufficient 
for overtime to be authorised on not more than two days in a week, the Order has been 
so limited; thus, instead of working overtime five days a week for one month, ¢. e., 24 
days, overtime is granted for two days a week for three months, ¢.e., 24 days. (See Re~ 
ports of Inspectors of Factories, April 1872, p. 16; October 1872, p. 37.) 
As the seasons vary in different places, different arrangements had to be made.” For 
instance, in London the season begins about or after Easter, and lasts for three months ; 
consequently that is the time most desired by the London establishments. 
In Lancashire and Yorkshire Whitsuntide is generally the brisk season. 
In other places there is a necessity only to work overtime for wedding or funeral 
orders, and thus the 24 days may be spread over the whole year. 
In some trades the brisk seasons vary considerably; as, for instance, Christmas 
presents, almanacks, valentines, &c., and the Orders are confined to the special seasons 
in each case, as the dates of granting the Orders will show. 
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