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may, therefore, be said that the period just ended has been a very prosperous one, and the prospects for the ensuing year are exceedingly good. In conclusion, I have again to thank all with whom my duties have brought me into contact for the courtesy I have invariably received at their hands. I have, &c, J. B. Lindsay, Inspector of Factories. E. Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington.

GTSBORNE. Sir, — Department of Labour, Gisborne, 10th April, 1905. I have the honour to submit to you my annual report on the working of the various branches of the Department under my charge at Gisborne for the year ending the 31st March, 1905. "The Factories Act, 1901." During the year 107 factories have been registered, an increase of 33 on the preceding year, employing 874 males and 109 females and boys under sixteen years of age; 14 permits were granted to young persons under the age of sixteen years. During the year just ended 1,972 hours' overtime have been worked—i.e., 12 males worked 872 hours and 63 females worked 1,100 hours. Twenty-five accidents have occurred in the various factories in the district, none of which, 1 am glad to say, resulted in either fatal or permanent injury to the worker. Arbitration Act. Three industrial unions are working under the awards of the Aribtration Court in this district, and, with the exception of three prosecutions on the application of the Carpenters' Union here, no serious irregularity has come under my notice, the relations between employer and employee being cordial. Servants' Registry Offices Act. This Act has worked well during the past year; no complaints have reached .this Department, and there has been an increase of one registry office during the year. In conclusion, I may state that the whole of the various Acts — i.e., Servants' Registry Offices, Arbitration, Factories, and Shearers' Accommodation Acts —administered by this Department have worked well, and without (except in the cases of the Carpenters' Union) any recourse to the Courts for their assistance in having the provisions of the above Acts carried out. The Shops and Shop-assistants Act and Shops and Offices Act. If I may take exception to the early-closing clause ihe former Act has worked well indeed, and 15 persons have worked 56 hours' overtime under that Act. The hours of closing in Gisborne were fixed at 6 p.m. on four days of the week, 1 p.m. on Thursdays, and 9 p.m. on Saturdays by the Minister on a requisition of the majority of the shopkeepers, but since being in force, from the Ist March last, the smaller shopkeepers in the borough have again petitioned the Minister to allow them to revert to the original hours of closing —in other words, to keep open as long as they like. The district has progressed steadily during the past year, and plenty of work for all bond fide applicants at this office has been found, and labour, whether skilled or not, has found a ready market in this district. I have, <fee, L. P. BULLEN, Inspector of Factories. Edward Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington.

NAPIER. Sir, — Department of Labour, Napier, 10th April, 1905. I have the honour to present to you my report for the year ending the 31st March, 1905. Factories. Employment for all classes of factory and workroom employees has been good, and the conditions under which they work are generally all that can be desired. I have been very much struck with the healthy and well-cared-for appearance of the females and boys generally. The employers appear to study the comfort and well-being of their hands. The factories and workrooms are clean, well ventilated and lighted. One or two are not quite up to date in comparison with the majority, but there is nothing to complain about from a sanitary point of view. I have had no trouble at all with employers. The cheerful way any suggestions I have made were carried out has been very gratifying.

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