MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS

CAP-MAKING.

IN 1926, THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS OF CAP-MAKERS in the city was ten out of which eight belonged to shimpie and two to other communities. In 1947, there were 17 concerns of cap and turban makers. Almost all concerns were located in C and B wards. There were 22 shops of turban and cap makers at the time of our survey. Of these 9 were located in D ward, 7 in C ward, 4 in B ward, and 2 in A ward.

Only three shops were surveyed in the sample. Of the three, one was started in 1938, the other in 1944, and the third in 1947. Cap-making was the principal occupation of these shops, which provided employment throughout the year. One concern was making turbans also.

Equipment for making caps consisted of pairs of scissors, threads, needles and sewing machines. Two concerns in the sample had two sewing machines each and the third had five machines. One establishment had two pairs of scissors, the other had five and the third 15. The total cost of equipment in one shop was about Rs. 2,600, in the other about Rs. 1,800 and in the third Rs. 1,500.

The necessary initial capital required was borrowed by two proprietors. The shops were situated in rented premises. The rent of each varied from Rs. 25 to Rs, 35. The total electric bill of two establishments was Rs. 33 per month. One of the establishments had to pay Rs. 150 per year as municipal tax.

All the three shops were making caps, and in addition, one was making turbans. Two were specialised in making woollen, jari, Gandhi and folding caps. Raw materials required were woollen, cotton and jari, cloth, canvas, thread and straw board. The consumption of woollen and cotton cloth of each shop per month was 600, 500 and 400 yards respectively. The consumption of jari and art silk cloth of two shops was 300 and 250 yards per month respectively. Woollen and art silk cloth was imported from Bombay and Jari cloth from Surat.

The three shops were managed by 31 persons out of whom five were members of employers' families and 26 paid-employees. A cap-maker was paid Rs. 50 in one shop and Rs. 60 in the other. A salesman was paid Rs. 60 per month in-both the shops. A turban-maker was paid Rs. 60 per month. The total wage bill of each shop was Rs. 925, 300 and Rs. 100 respectively.

The monthly production of woollen, cotton and jari caps of the biggest shop in the sample was 2,000 and of the other two was 1,000 and 500 respectively. Similarly, the production of folding caps of the three shops was 1200, 800 and 400 respectively. These shops were manufacturing Gandhi caps also. The total production of these was 1200, 1,000 and 200 respectively. These caps were mostly sold to wholesale and retail dealers. The market for these goods was generally local as well as the whole Kolhapur district. In the two establishments, 25 per cent. of the production was sold directly to customers. The business in these shops was brisk during January to May.

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