XXXV

H.—ll

OAMARU. Sir,— Oamaru, 13th April, 1907. I have the honour to submit for your information a report upon the working of the various Acts under my supervision for the year ending the 31st March, 1907 ; and I have much pleasure in stating that I found all persons concerned in carrying out the provisions of our labour laws most anxious to aid me in every possible way. Factories Act. The number of factories registered for the period in this district was 112, an increase of 43 from the previous year (1905). With a few exceptions I have had little or no trouble with the proprietors of such factories, only 5 trivial cases coming under my notice, which were dealt with amicably. The factories and workrooms were kept clean and well ventilated, and the employees were well treated. The Oamaru Woollen-factory Company, the largest employers of labour in my district, have put up a new diningroom, which is well kept and much appreciated by the workers. The total number of persons in factories was 745—511 males and 234 females. The total overtime worked by all hands in factories was 14,588 hours ; the total number of permits issued to young persons was 21. Shops and Offices Act. The number of shops in the district was 150. The half-holiday is Thursday. The closing-hours have been regularly observed, the shopkeepers showing a desire to respect and carry out the law. The total number of hours of overtime worked in shops was 189 by 20 persons—7 males and 13 females. Shearing-sheds. I inspected 4 sheds in the district during shearing-time, and found the accommodation good in every respect. Servants' Registry Offices Act. Four persons registered during the period, and I found the law complied with in every respect. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. Awards in this Act have given me a good deal of trouble. Five cases were brought into Court, and (ionvictions and fines recorded. Unskilled Labour. Two hundred anel thirty-four persons applied for employment during the period, 140 of whom were sent to co-operative works and private employment. In conclusion I beg to say that I have devoted a good deal of attention to the working of the various Acts, and am satisfied they have been fairly observed by all concerned. I have, &c, Thos. O'Grady, The Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington. Inspector of Factories.

INVERCARGILL. Sir, — Department of Labour, Invercargill, 9th April, 1907 I have the honour to submit my report for the year ending the 31st March, 1907. The period mentioned is generally recognised as having been an exceptionally good and satisfactory one to both employers and workers. Trade has been well maintained, and in some instances considerable advancement has been made. The agricultural, dairy, and pastoral industries have had a very prosperous year. Crops have been good and prices good. Employment has been plentiful, and in some instances wages have considerably increased. This is especially applicable to farm workers. A few years ago it was rarely a ploughman would be offered more than £1 per week and found, but this year it was impossible to get even an ordinary ploughman for less than £1 55., and often £1 7s. 6d., and in several instances £1 10s. and found were offered, and even under those conditions men were very difficult to get. Other classes of outdoor workers have also had a good year. The building trade has been continuously busy in all branches. In the centre of the town considerable improvements have been made. Large brick buildings for business purposes have been erected, and extensive alterations and additions to others have been made, besides which a large number of dwellinghouses have been built in both town and suburbs. At the present time, buildings for business premises and also for residential purposes are being erected in all directions. Latterly the suburbs appear to be more attractive for private residences than the town ; this is probably due to the tremendous iwrease in land-values within the town-boundaries. At Bluff and in the country towns and districts a good deal of building.has been done, but at Gore there has not been nearly so much as during the previous year. Engineering and boilermaking trades have been fairly busy, and employment has been regular all through the year. Agricultural-implement making has provided more regular employment than during the previous year, and the number of hands employed has increased.