H.—ll

Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. 1 laid 9 charges under this Act against 7 persons, and obtained a conviction on each charge, and back wages were allowed in 4 cases. I have now 8 charges waiting to be heard. Generally speaking, the provisions of the Act and awards under the Act are well observed. I have, &c, L. D. Browbtt, Inspector of Factories. E. Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington.

Reports have also been received from Inspectors of Factories at Akaroa, Alexandra South, Amberley, Aratapu, Arrowtown, Brunnerton, Carterton, Cambridge, Cheviot, Clive, Clinton, Coalgate, Collingwood, Cromwell, Culverden, Dargaville, Denniston, Fairlie, Featherston, Greytown North, Hampden, Hamilton, Havelock, Hawkesbury, Hikurangi, Hokianga, Hunterville, Huntly, Inglewood, Kaikoura, Kaitangata, Kawhia, Karangahake, Kihikihi, Kumara, Leeston, Lumsden, Levin, Marton, Mangaweka, Manaia, Malvern-Annat, Martinborough, Mercer, Methven, Middlemarch, Milton, Mosgiel, Naseby, Ngapara, Owaka, Opotiki, Otahuhu, Otautau, Ormondville, Otaki, Orepuki, Ongarue, Otorohanga, Palmerston South, Paeroa, Pahiatua, Patea, Papakura, Pembroke, Pleasant Point, Pahi, Porongahau, Queenstown, Riverton, Raetihi, Rakaia, Rotorua, St. Bathan's, Southbridge, Tauranga, Takaka, Te Aroha, Te Awamutu, Tenui, Tologa Bay, Te Puke, Te Karaka, Upper Hutt, Waipawa, Waipu, Waipukurau, Waitara, Wairoa, Waikaia, Waitahuna, Whangarei, Woodville, Wyndham, Whakatane, Westport, Winton. These reports show that as a whole the Labour Acts are working satisfactorily in the various districts, and that employment has been fairly plentiful.

Details of Expenditure of the Department of Labour during the year ending the 31st March, 1905. £ s. d. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act... ... ... ... ... 3,283 11 1 Factories, Shops, Shearers' Accommodation, and other Acts ... ... ... 2,587 10 6 *Fares (departmental, and advanced to workmen) ... ... ... ... 761 17 1 *Stores, board, and lodging (for workmen sent to employment) ... ... 187 18 10 Salaries ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4,566 310 Sundries ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 216 6 10 11,603 8 2 *Less refunds of fares, £481 13s. lid. ; stores, board, and lodging, £145 4s. Id.; and Court costs, £128 10s. Id. ... ... ... ... 755 8 1 Total expenditure ... ... ... ...£10,848 0 1

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