No. 260. — Ann Mills.

Thirty-five years old. Has 3 children living; has had 7. Her husband is a hewer at Blaydon Main Pit. Her son, Samuel Mills, first went to keep a door in the pit at 7 years and 8 months old; then got 10d. a-day. Is now 8 years old, and getting the same. Matthew Mills first went to work at 6 years and 4 months old, on account of her husband's bad health; is now 10 years old, and gets 15d. a-day as driver. She would not have sent him to the pit but he would not go to school. He preferred the pit, but now comes to school on idle days. The health of these boys is not at all affected by the pit work; they are fresh-coloured. The boys learn to swear a little in the pit, and one received last week from his father a severe beating for swearing. Matthew has not had a doctor to him since 2 years old. Samuel never has had a doctor. Sends them to Sunday [national] school regularly.