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Sir,- Department of Labour, Palmerston North, 15th April, 1905. I have the honour to make my annual report on labour in this district. There were 96 applications for work during the year, consisting almost entirely of strangers from other parts, who were attracted here by reports that one had only to come to Palmerston to get work at once. Consequently the place has been rushed, and a number of labourers have found themselves very badly off, and the Relieving Officer has had nis hands full. I was able to get employment for a good number, and others tried other towns. The winter is a bad period for strangers in this district, as there is little or no work for outsiders. The flax-mills, which afford employment for a great number, are generally flooded out, and have to shut down. The number assisted by the Department is 9, while 6 paid their own fare or obtained a local guarantee. I have, &c, H. H. Knowles, Inspector of Factories. Edward Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington.

MASTERTON. Sir, — Department of Labour, Masterton, 20th April, 1905. I have the honour to submit my annual report of the working of the various labour Acts in this district for the year ending the 31st March, 1905. I have pleasure in reporting that the business of the district lias been very good throughout the whole period, signs of progress in the borough being most marked. The building trades especially have been busy, and the indications for the future are good. The clothing trade also has been busy during a portion of the year, a considerable amount of overtime having been worked. The retail trades have been prosperous, and the district is advancing satisfactorily. Factories Act. There were 101 factories registered, employing 422 males and 74 females, a total of 496 persons, as against 90 factories, employing 402 males and 68 females, totalling 470 persons registered last year, an increase of 11 factories and 26 persons. Overtime. The overtime has been principally confined to four trades —viz., tailoring, dressmaking, printing, and baking. In the tailoring, females have worked 357 hours and males 401 hours' overtime. In the dressmaking, 17 females have worked 506 hours' overtime. In the baking trade 5 males have worked 659 hours, and in the printing trade 15 males have worked 539 hours' overtime. The total overtime for the year is: females, 863 hours- males, 1,626 hours. Permits. Seven permits were issued to young persons —viz., 4 to girls, of whom 2 had passed Standard V. and 2 Standard VI., and 3 to boys, of whom 1 had passed Standard V. and 1 Standard VII. Three acidents have been reported during the year; all were slight. The factories as a whole have been well conducted, and business has been maintained well above the standard of previous years. "Shops and Offices Act, 1904." This Act is working smoothly as its provisions become more understood. The weekly halfholiday has been well observed. Servants' Registry Offices Act. There are three offices registered under this Act doing a fair business, and are all well conducted. Shearers' Accommodation Act. The various shearing-sheds in the district have been inspected, and the accomodatiori found to be of a satisfactory character. I have, &c, W. Newton, Inspector of Factories. E. Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington.

BLENHEIM. Sir,— Blenheim, 10th April, 1905. I have the honour to submit my annual report for the Blenheim district for the year ended the 31st March last. The number of factories registered was 75, which is a decrease of 4 on that of the previous year. The number of hands employed was 371, and shows a decrease of 21 : the number of females increased by 3. The diminution is accounted for by the closiug-down of two or three flax-mills.

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