H.—ll

There have been only three slight accidents during the year. One young man at the woollenmills got slightly scalded in the dye-house; one boy had his finger hurt by a tin-cutting machine — both these were very slight. The other was an accident to an employer, whose two fingers were lacerated by a saw. Shops and Shop-assistants Act. I am happy to say that I find but little difficulty now in carrying out my duties in this department as the shopkeepers give me little trouble in regard to closing, especially on the statutory halfholiday. Servants' Registry Offices. There are three offices registered, all in the hands of competent people; they are very well conducted, and I have no complaints. Sanitation. In my last report I stated that for certain reasons I found that this part of my duties was a very difficult matter and required constant supervision, and I cannot say even now that things are as satisfactory as I should like to see them, but trust I shall get them all into line shortly. Permits to Young Persons. Certificates have been issued to 15 females and 6 males. Overtime Permits. Permits have been issued to 99 persons during the period, who have worked 4,101 hours. Trade on the whole has been fairly good during the last year, but not up to the expectation of some of the shopkeepers, who give two or three reasons for this —viz., (1) the keen competition from large firms from Christchurch, who send out vans all round the country; (2) the Farmers' Co-operative Association, who, as I mentioned in my former report, have launched out very extensively in the town. Laboxte. I have had a few applications from men from outside the district, who make a practice of coming here just before shearing, and stop over the harvest; local men have been well employed. Shearers' Accommodation. My annual visit to the bheds in this district disclosed a very satisfactory state of affairs, the sheds being in good order and accommodation good. In conclusion, I have to acknowledge the (with one or two exceptions) uniform courtesy and consideration shown me in carrying out my various duties. I have, &c, R. S. Bean, E. Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector, Wellington. Inspector of Factories.

TIMARU. Sir, — Department of Labour, Timaru, 31st March, 1905. I have the honour to submit for your information my annual report for the year now terminated. Factories. I am pleased to say the period under review has been one of general satisfaction to employers and employees alike. Factory-owners give much more attention to the general arrangements connected with their workrooms than was customary years ago. Little or no difficulty is now experienced in providing for their employees in such matters as sanitary arrangements and cleanliness, and, as the local Borough Council intend at an early date to go in for a drainage scheme. lam looking forward to still better results. The new factories that have come into existence during the period are a very great improvement on the old idea that almost any place was good enough for a workroom. lam also pleased to see that employees are evidently enjoying and appreciating the improvements, and are doing their best to keep their rooms clean and tidy. During the year there were 183 factories registered, an increase of 13 on last year. The number of persons employed is 1,372 —viz., 1,098 males and 274 females. Overtime. Sixty-one women and young persons under sixteen years of age have worked 806 hours overtime, and 335 males over sixteen years 18,152 hours; total overtime, 18,938 hours. These figures appear large, but the great bulk of it was done at the two freezing-works, as when shipping frozen meat they have to work night and day, so as not to detain the Home steamers longer than necessary. I may here mention that during the year the frozen meat and wool shipped from this port was as follows, viz: wool, 127,385 bales; frozen mutton, 559,902 carcases; poultry, 635 cases: total tons exported, comprising all kinds of produce (exclusive of wool and frozen mutton), was 81,196 tons.

During the year 46 certificates have been issued to young persons under sixteen years of age — viz., 34 males and 12 females,

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