MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS

PHOTO-FRAME MAKING.

PHOTO-FRAMING was one of the minor occupations in the city. The total number of establishments of photo-framers was 29, of which 12 were located in C ward, six and five in D and B wards and four and two in E and A wards respectively. Three shops were taken in the sample. One was started in 1925, the other in 1938 and the third in 1953.

Tools and equipment of these shops were tools required for making photo-frames and an instrument required for cutting glasses.

All the three shops in the sample were situated in rented premises. Rent of the smallest shop was Rs. 7 and of the biggest Rs. 85 per month. The total electric bill per month of the three together was Rs. 17 of which Rs. 10 was of the biggest establishment. The largest establishment was spending Rs. 120 and Rs. 50 respectively on municipal taxes and on advertisement.

Ply wood, sheet glasses, pictures, mirrors, card-boards, nails, etc. were the raw materials required for photo-framing. All these articles were purchased from local market. The biggest shop in the sample consumed these articles worth Rs. 1,550, the other two worth Rs. 250 and Rs. 100 respectively per month.

The small shop in the sample was managed by the owner. In the other two shops four paid workers were employed. The worker who was making frames was paid Rs. 30 in one shop and Rs. 45 in the other. An unskilled worker was paid Rs. 20 per month.

The main occupation in all the three shops was photo-framing; in addition one shop was engaged in making boxes. Photo-frames were sold by one establishment to retail dealers. The other two shops received orders from customers and 90 per cent. of their production was sold in this way. The business was more or less steady throughout the year.

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