COTTON SPIXXIXG AXD WEAVIXG 37 



sacks of 64 kilos as it has to ti-avel about 300 miles to the coast on 

 mule-back. It is bought in lots of 50 to 200 bales. 



The total waste in the course of spinning was 18 per cent, of which 

 the opener accounted for 6 per cent. The combs take out 20 per 

 cent, but this waste is used for spinning yarns of coarse counts and is 

 sold to the natives for the weaving of hammocks. 



Workmen's Dwellings belonging to the Cotton Thread Mill at Pedra 



The operatives live in a specially built village, containing about 

 500 new houses built in long streets with open squares, surrounding 

 the factory. The houses are roomy and the architecture and planning 

 of the village are quite modern. There are altogether 4,000 people 

 living at Pedra. 



Under normal conditions the sewing thread mill works two shifts 

 and when trade was good even three shifts have been going. At i3resent 

 only 600 operatives are Avorking ten hours a day at an average rate 

 of wages of 1 S800 for ten hours, but it must be borne in mind that 

 they live rent free, have electric light and water provided (only lamps 

 have to be paid for). 



Strict discipline is kept ; the operatives are well behaved, are 

 well-dressed and clean. Whilst going to work they were better 

 dressed than the average European mill hand on a Sunday. 



The sewing cotton mill being the only industrial undertaking so 

 far driven by the hydro-electric plant, it is debited with all the charges 

 of the plant, but nevertheless, during 1919-20 the Company Avas able 

 to pay a 10 per cent, dividend. 



Though the concession states that cotton, cereals and fodder 

 crops should be grown by means of irrigation, T personally doubt 

 whether irrigation is possible as a commercial proposition owing to the 

 undulating nature of the country. The Paulo Affonso Falls offer, 

 undoubtedly, an opportunity for future development. The two 

 directors of the Company, Mr. L. lona and Mr. G. Ferrario, are com- 

 mercial men, mainly interested in the hide business of lona & Co. and 

 would welcome participation of Europeans in the further develop- 

 ment of the scheme. 



