H.—ll

X

In conclusion, I have to express sincere thanks to every person with whom my various duties have brought me in contact, and, although this embraces all sorts and conditions of men, I received nothing but the greatest courtesy and assistance, which had the effect of brightening what might otherwise have been very arduous work. I have, &c, H. Ferguson, The Chief Inspector. Inspector of Factories.

WELLINGTON. Sir, — Department of Labour, Wellington, 10th April, 1905. I have the honour to report on the carrying-out of the various awards under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act for tEe Wellington District for the year ending the 31st March, 1905. Thirty-one cases investigated by me have been dealt with by the Court, resulting in twenty-eight convictions. Ninety-six complaints from secretaries of unions and others have since been investigated, out of which thirty cases have been filed, and are now waiting to be dealt with by the Court. The rest were settled without reference to the Court, resulting in the payment of £50 back wages. These cases covered a greater part of the Wellington District, and included Wellington, Palmerston North, AVoodville, Masterton, Feilding, Foxton, Carterton, Featherston, Pahiatua, and Taihape. The taking of these cases before the Court has had a very salutary effect on towns outside of Wellington, but I am sorry to say that breaches of the various awards in Wellington are still being frequently committed, and complaints of such are being daily reported. I have endeavoured to settle many cases which have not been of a serious nature (and which have not been wilfully committed) without reference to the Court, and I found that this way of dealing with these cases has, in most instances, acted as a warning to those offending, and they have strictly observed the terms of the award under which they work. I have experienced great difficulty in many cases in getting information concerning breaches which have been reported. Many employers do not keep their books in a manner showing clearly the hours worked and wages paid, and the employees, in man)' cases, will not give a correct statement of time worked or pay received, either wilfully or because the) 7 have not kept a record of same. I notice in the Sydney Drivers' award a clause is inserted requiring employees to keep a record of time worked and wages received. If a clause of this description were inserted in the various awards in this colony it would very materially assist Inspectors in detecting breaches which may be committed. Under the Wellington Drivers' award I have experienced very great difficulty in getting employers to pay their men for time occupied in going from and returning to their stables. In most cases the men do not keep a record of time so occupied, and, although they complain that this time is not being paid for, they are not able to give a record of this time, and, therefore, it is impossible to prove these cases before the Court. These men also have an erroneous idea as to the manner in which their overtime should be computed, and are in the habit of computing such time daily. For example, if a man worked ten hours in a day he would count two hours' overtime, whereas the next day he would perhaps only work six or seven hours, and at the end of the week he would not have exceeded the number of hours which constitutes a week's work. Overtime under this award can only be counted after 47Ahours per week have been worked. In the sawmilling trade the same difficulty has been experienced as last year in regard to payment for broken time. The award provides for forty-six hours per week at a daily rate of pay; this does not give six days of equal length. I have explained to employers that in such cases wages should be computed at per hour, dividing the weekly pay by 46. Employers are now doing this, and there is very little trouble. I have received many complaints re employers failing to indenture their apprentices, but T found that these breaches had been committed through neglect on the part of the employer rather than through wilfulness, and in all cases where I requested an employer to indenture a boy my request has been complied with. Yours, &c, C. E. Aldridgb, E. Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector of Factories. Inspector of Factories.

Sib, — Department of Labour, Wellington, 10th April, 1905. I have the honour to submit, for your consideration, my report for year ending the 31st March, 1905. During the period ending on that date I visited factories and workrooms in all parts of the colony where women are employed, and, speaking generally, I found them in a satisfactory condition. I find employers willing to comply with any instructions given for alterations or improvements which will add to the comfort and convenience of their workers. Women workers generally have been kept fully employed during the year; the only trades in which there has been any slackness are the woollen trade, stock tailoring, and shirtmaking. Workers in these trades