H.—ll

Servants' Registry Offices. There is only one office in the district, and it is well conducted. Shearers' Accommodation Act. There are 5 shearing-sheds in the district, an increase on last year of 2 sheds. The accommodation in all cases was satisfactory, being well ventilated, clean, and ample room provided. In a few sheds improvements were being made in order to admit of machine shearing. General Labour. During the year 80 men have been assisted to work —32 married, with 105 dependent upon them, and 4-8 single. There has been a steady increase in the number of men coming into the district, and it speaks well for the prosperity of the place that the majority of these men found good employment in the country districts; there is, however, a number of men who do not care to go into the country, and, as the openings for general labourers in the city are limited, these find more difficulty in obtaining work. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. I now find very little difficulty in seeing the provisions of the various awards under this Act carried out. Employers and employees having now recognised the fact that the terms of awards must be carried out, they are therefore now working in harmony one with the other. In cases where any doubt exists as to the meaning of the award both parties ask for advice from the Department, and are guided thereby, and, so far, I have had no reason for prosecution. In closing my report, I beg to state that employers and employees alike have shown me every courtesy in the execution of my duty, and I likewise have to thank the officers of other Departments with which my duty has brought me into contact, especially the officers of the Health and Public Works Departments, for information and assistance given from time to time. I have, &c, S. Ttson, Inspector of Factories. E. Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington.

GEEYMOUTH. Sir, — Department of Labour, Greymouth, 10th April, 1905. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the working of the various Acts in connection with the Department in this district for the year ending the 31st March, 1905. I am pleased to state that the period under review has been one of advancement and prosperity, notwithstanding the depressing effects of the exceptionally wet season that prevailed during the last half of last year. Our staple industries are steadily expanding, and exports are rapidly increasing. The Factories Act. The Act is working well, and giving greater satisfaction to employers and employees as they become more conversant with its provisions. It has been well observed, and occupiers have shown an earnest desire to comply with all requisitions found necessary to improve the condition of their establishments, consequently no prosecutions took place. During the year there were 117 factories registered, an increase of 17 over last year, employing 740 persons—namely, 597 males and 14-3 females, an increase of 134 persons over the previous year. Permits. For the year 18 permits were issued for young persons —12 boys and 6 girls. Of the boys, 3 passed the Fourth Standard, 5 passed the Fifth, and 4 the Sixth. Of the girls, 2 passed the Fourth, 2 the Fifth, and 2 the Sixth Standards. Overtime. Overtime warrants were issued for 51 males over sixteen years of age, who worked 1,906 hours, and for 40 women and boys, who worked 2,085 hours. Total number of hours worked by all hands is 3,991. The following table shows the trades in which overtime was worked: — , Males. v , Females. , Number. Hours. Number. Hours. Blacksmiths ... ... ... 1 22 Boilermakers ... ... ... 13 231 Dressmakers ... ... ••• 9 341 Fitters and turners ... ... ... 15 536| Labourers ... ■ ■ ■ ... 1 56 Moulders ... ... ... 12 278£ Tailors 9 782 31 1,744 51 1,906 40 2,085 Grand total, 3,991 hours,

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