This extract is taken from Mr Alan Cooke’s collection of Local History Research and Notes
John Star Newton Framework Knitter Wrought Cotton Hose Branch examined
Q4585. Have you come to give evidence before the Commission on behalf of the hands at Newton and Blackwell and the neighbourhood,
I have.
Q4586.What is the number of frames there?
I think there are about 66 frames in the Parish. We have taken an account of about 50 of them. Some of the parties were not willing to inform us.
Q.4587.What were the frames employed upon chiefly that you took an account of?
All sorts of work, the real wrought hose, the drop offs, dandies, and some of what are called clop offs. There is no fashion in the feet of the clop offs, the drop offs are pressed off, and the scissors are used to the toe ends and the heel ends.
Q.4588.What is the average of the earnings?
From 2s up to about 7s depending very much upon the age and capacity of the hands
Q.4589.Do the hands receive the wages in ready money?
We questioned them over in that respect and they seem to say that they did. They had nothing to complain of in the trucking way.
Q.4590.Was there any subject of complaint that they desired you to state?
They complain a great deal of the old good fashioned work being so badly paid for, by the reason of the wide work and the dandies and what they call the spider work, and the drop offs and the chop offs and the like.
Q.4591. Is there anything else that you desire to state?
No, nothing in particular. The witness withdrew.
A.Cooke