XXIII

H.—ll

As the majority of shops in Gisborne close in accordance with requisition from the shopkeepers themselves fixing the closing-hours—viz., at 6 o'clock on four days, and 9 o'clock on one day of the weekstrictness has to be observed that this is carried out. A severe caution has, however, brought those inclined to be lax into proper line of closing punctually. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. There are now seven awards working in this district-viz., wharf-labourers, freezers, carpenters painters, saddlers, tailors, and bakers and pastrycooks. ' The Act has worked well generally, but was somewhat marred by the strike of 46 freezers working at Nelson Bros and Gisborne Sheep-farmers' freezing-works. As this was a breach of section 15 of ?Jl ? , Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and amendment of 1905, the men concerned were cited before the Arbitration Court, which has heard the cases, but the decision is reserved. " The Servants' Registry Offices Act, 1895." t a j h T e ai ' e 110VF Ye ° fficeS duly re B istered under thi s Act, and from official inquiries and inspection 1 hnd they are giving satisfaction and willing to carry out conscientiously the provisions required by the Act. Only one complaint was received, and upon full inquiry the license-holder was found to have acted in accordance with the law. Labour. The amount of labour, skilled and unskilled, required throughout the year has been very considerable. Tradesmen in the building line, such as carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, and painters have experienced no difficulty in finding almost constant employment. Cabinetmakers have also been busy ■ very litt.e slackn. s experienced. Engineering trade, blacksmiths, and coachbuilders have worked regular time. Factory-workers in the tailoring and dressmaking report full employment, evidenced by the amount of overtime. Bakers and pastrycooks : The number reejuired have been kept busy Butchers have been hampered by wry broken weather, delaying stock considerably. Unskilled Labour, Over 20,000 acres of bush was felled during the year, giving employment to a large number of bushworkers. Road-work throughout the district has given employments a number of navvies as also the railway-formation under the Public Works Department. A large number of men calling at this office have been assisted by being placed on public and private works and by information as to the resources of the district. Shearers' Accommodation. There are 36 shearing-sheds in this district, and generally the accommodation is good • a great amount of the shearing is done by Maoris, who prefer to provide their own tents, &c Shearingmachines are also being rapidly installed in most of the sheds, thus reducing the number of shearers greatly. No complaints have been received. In conclusion I am pleased to state with confidence that this district throughout is progressing favourably, and that the workers generally have had a good year. . I have, &c, The Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington. J. Georgeson, Inspector.

NAPIER. 8lR '~~ . Department of Labour, Napier, 14th April, 1907. .__"•_- • t iTT t0 place before ? ou a re P ort of matters coming within the jurisdiction of the Napier Branch of the Department of Labour for the year terminating on the 31st March. 1907. General. Skilled trades and industries have had a very prosperous year, and in many instances it has been somewhat difficult to keep pace with the demand. In the building trades the demand for carpenters and joiners has exceeded the supply and at the present this difficulty seems likely to continue for some time. Carpenters are still being advertised tor Qciiiv, The engineering trade, too, has had a very busy year, a large amount of overtime having been worked. 6 The coachbuilding trades have kept well to the fore as regards work and business, and local goods have been well patronised. Very few importations have arrived from America, the local article giving every satisfaction. 6 6 Dressmakers, tailors, and tailoresses have been busily employed, and nearly all the employees m these trades have been working overtime. Several employers have had difficulty in dealing with the work on hand with only the overtime permitted by the Act. Additions would have been made to their staffs by many employers, but. there were no employees available. Some employers advertised in the southern papers for assistants, but even then were unsuccessful. Unskilled Labour. There has been very little work for the unskilled during the year, but I am pleased to report also that there were very few applicants for work in this direction, and most of the applicants were men