I never saw such a man; he would strap any one as did
not please him. I only worked for him a week or two. I didn't
like it, and I ran away. He would strap me if even there was a
bit of waste lying about the room. I have had marks on my back
from Castle's strapping me.'"
In Nottingham, also, there is much cruelty shown in the treatment of
the children, as will appear from the following evidence taken by Mr.
Power:—
"Williamson, the father: 'My two sons, one ten, the other
thirteen, work at Milnes's factory, at Lenton. They go at
half-past five in the morning; don't stop at breakfast or
tea-time. They stop at dinner half an hour. Come home at a
quarter before ten. They used to work till ten, sometimes
eleven, sometimes twelve. They earn between them 6_s._ 2_d._ per
week. One of them, the eldest, worked at Wilson's for 2 years
at 2_s._ 3_d._ a week. He left because the overlooker beat him
and loosened a tooth for him. I complained, and they turned him
away for it. They have been gone to work sixteen hours now;
they will be very tired when they come home at half-past nine.
I have a deal of trouble to get 'em up in the morning. I have
been obliged to beat 'em with a strap in their shirts, and to
pinch 'em, in order to get them well awake. It made me cry to be
obliged to do it.'
"'Did you make them cry?' 'Yes, sometimes. They will be home
soon, very tired, and you will see them.' I preferred walking
toward the factory to meet them. I saw the youngest only, and
asked him a few questions. He said, 'I'm sure I shan't stop to
talk to you; I want to go home and get to bed; I must be up at
half-past five again to-morrow morning.'
"G— — and A— —, examined. The boy: 'I am going fourteen: my
sister is eleven. I have worked in Milnes's factory two years.
She goes there also. We are both in the clearing-room. I think we
work too long hours; I've been badly with it. We go at half-past
five, give over at half-past nine. I'm now just come home. We
sometimes stay till twelve. We are obliged to work over-hours. I
have 4_s._ a week; that is, for staying from six till seven. They
pay for over-hours besides. I asked to come away one night,
lately, at eight o'clock, being ill; I was told if I went I must
not come again. I am not well now. I can seldom eat any breakfast;
my appetite is very bad. I have had a bad cold for a week.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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