H.—ll.

The Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act. In case of any amending Bill to the above Act being introduced I beg to call attention to a point needing consideration. During the hearing of a case in which compensation for death by accident was asked for it transpired that the deceased person had left three children, one legitimate and two illegitimate. Compensation to the amount of £400 was awarded by the Court, but a difficulty appeared in deciding on the proper division of the money, as it was doubtful whether the words "son" and "daughter" included illegitimate children. It appears inexpedient, as well as unjust, that after compensation has been paid for accident the taxpayers should have to bear the cost of keeping the illegitimate children of a deceased person, and that those children should have no share in compensation paid. Publications. The labour Journal has been regularly issued during the year. Its contents now largely comprise the monthly record of proceedings under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The Department receives much information from other countries and colonies, sent as " exchanges" for the Journal. I present herewith the second volume of awards, recommendations, &c, made under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The issue of this and the preceding volume has called forth many gratifying acknowledgments concerning its usefulness. Edward Tregear.

REPORTS OF LOCAL INSPECTORS OP FACTORIES AND AGENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR.

AUCKLAND. Department of Labour, Auckland, 12th May, 1902 Sir — I have the honour to forward for your information my annual report on the working of this Department for the past year. Labour. During the year 161 men have been assisted to work, of whom 81 were married with 255 persons dependent on them, ami 80 single. Of these, 139 were sent to Government works and 22 to private employment. Applications from skilled workers were limited to a few casual callers. Genuine workmen, as a rule, found that work was fairly plentiful until the latter portion of the year, when, owing to the great prosperity in local works, a large influx of workers congregated in the city from surrounding districts and other colonies, often, I am certain, leaving their usual occupations. There has been at times a surplus of labour, but, as this was principally composed of single men who could get a certain amount of casual work or move to other sources, I do not think there has been any material hardship, nor at any other period has there been in any year nearly so much spent in local works. Factories. The Factories Act is now so well established that it requires only a certain amount of routine work, and there is not the slightest friction in carrying out any of its provisions. The Act of 1901 embraces some required improvements, especially in regard to payment of wages and hours of work for young persons and women. This was very much needed booh by this

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