H.—ll.

As to the working of the Factories Acts, it has been fairly satisfactory excepting the provisions making Saturday compulsory for the half-holiday. The friction on this matter has now disappeared, and everything goes along smoothly. Until the last few months there was plenty of employment in the district, but since the cooperative works were stopped a good many men came this way looking for work. Jas. O'Malley, Sergeant, J. Mackay, Esq., Labour Department, Wellington. Inspector of Factories.

GREYTOWN NORTH. Annual Report of the Inspector of Factories. Greytown North, 31st March, 1902. I beg to report, for the information of the Department of Labour, that no difficulty whatever has been experienced in exacting the observance of the provisions of either the Factories Act or the Shops and Shop-assistants Act. The labour-market is in a very satisfactory condition. There is plenty of work, with good wages, for all working-men. The swagger element, as such, is practically non-existent. Men who now are seen carrying swags through the country are generally shearers and other station-hands on their way to work on the various runs. For those who are sincerely looking for work employment is not wanting. I have met swaggers in this district for whom I and others have procured good work at excellent wages, but who have preferred their nomadic state of existence to one of honest hard work. The presence of such men, though they are few, cannot in any way be held to be an argument against the prosperity of any district. J. Eccleton, Inspector of Factories.

CARTERTON. Sir, — Labour Department, Carterton, 19th April, 1902. I have the honour to forward my report for year ended the 31st March, 1902. There are 40 factories registered for the year. There have not been any complaints made by employees or employers; and the Factories Act, and, indeed, all other Acts affecting labour, are working well. There are now four well-conducted creameries established in this immediate district, and next year I hope to be able to report that a fifth—to be started at Gladstone —is in full swing. lam pleased to report there have been no idle men in this district during the year. There has been plenty of employment, and, of course, local men have had the first call. I must bring under your notice that there has been a constant demand and inquiry for servant-girls, and splendid wages have been offered in really good homes, but the servant-girl cannot easily be procured. I may safely report that this district is in a prosperous condition. Dairying has done much for the settler. It has given employment for the grown-up members of his family, and made by force of good circumstances his home happy and bright. During the year a new sawmill has been started at Gladstone, where a great many men find work ; also brick and tile works and flax-mills. The smaller factories in the district are also prosperous. There have been a few swaggers travelling during the year, but nothing as compared with a few years ago. The entire absence of unemployed is a good progressive sign in a farming community. I have, &c, F. Chas. V. Smith, Constable, The Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington. Inspector of Factories.

BLENHEIM. Sir, — Police-station, Blenheim, 30th April, 1902. I have the honour of submitting my annual report for the Blenheim district. During the year ending the 31st March, 1902, 71 factories have been registered, an increase of Bon the previous year. The number of males employed is 346, and the number of females 32. These figures represent a considerable advance on those of the previous year, which were : Males, 244 ; females, 29. Among the new factories brought into existence during the last twelve months are a brickyard, and flax-mills in various parts of the district. The revival of the flour industry is a feature of the year, and this development absorbed a fair quantity of labour. It was necessary to bring one person before the Court, for failing to close on the half-holiday. Only one slight accident occurred during the twelve months. The labour-market was in a prosperous condition throughout the year, and there was no lack of employment. Although some anxiety was felt at the beginning of the season on account of unpromising weather, the farmers have had an excellent harvest, and were put in good heart by satisfactory prices. This state of things had a favourable bearing on the labour-market. At one time there was a slight difficulty in obtaining men for farming operations, but all demands were satisfied without much delay. The pastoralists were not so fortunate in the matter of prices, but the employment of labour on the stations has not been affected to any extent. The shearing-accom-modation, I am pleased to say, is good in every respect.

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