engaged, and a certificated nurse to supervise treatment; later a women's ambulance room was opened, also with a nurse in attendance. In 1929 when a new fire station was provided, the old building was taken over by the ambulance section.

The long-standing campaign to reduce accidents continued, and the increasing number and stringency of the regulations under the Factories Act of 1937 led to the appointment of a full-time safety engineer to work with the existing committee for accident prevention. Trained engineers and inspectors supervise the operation of safety precautions, look for possible causes of accidents or injury to health, and investigate mishaps; they also cooperate with the medical department in maintaining healthy working conditions and in carrying out the statutory requirements regarding machinery, fire precautions, ventilation, heating, lighting, sanitary arrangements, first-aid provision and medical examination. Particular attention is paid to education by booklets, lectures, posters, exhibitions and film shows. All this, combined with a systematic study of accidents and increasing cooperation from the workpeople, has produced a substantial reduction in the number of accidents in spite of the greater complexity and faster tempo of industry.

The canteens gradually became more popular, and by the end of 1935 about 4500 meals a day were being served. In the following year new provision was made for workgirls' meals, and the staff canteen was enlarged to accommodate 900 people with a separate room, the 'sergeants' mess', for 120 of the senior staff. A lesser amenity but one not to be despised was the introduction in 1935 of a hire scheme for overalls.

The M-V Club continued to flourish, its activities being unchanged by the formation of A.E.I. The Club News, however, ceased publication at the end of 1930; its functions were taken over by the A.E.I. News, a Group employees' magazine the foundation of which was inspired by Sir Felix Pole, himself editor of The G.W.R. Magazine for sixteen years. In 1938 a 'sick and dividing fund' was inaugurated at the club to provide a more reliable substitute for the increasingly frequent collections for the benefit of sick members or their dependants. In the same year, his tenth as president, G. E. Bailey opened extensions including a new lounge.

The annual sports meeting, which had almost always been held at Belle Vue, was moved in 1930 to its present home, the Manchester Athletic Club ground at Fallowfield. Competitors began to be entered from other firms in the Group, and A.E.I, relay races became well established events. The Company's team continued its successful career in the Manchester business houses cross-country championships, run over a course of 5i miles: in the nineteen years up to 1939 M-V won no less than fifteen times (one a tie) and obtained second place twice.

Less elaborately organized but very popular diversions were boxing contests, which were held round about 1930 during the lunch hour in the main avenue at the works. With the encouragement of G. E. Bailey aspiring pugilists set to in a businesslike ring for three one-minute rounds, P. Denman being the first master of ceremonies.