H.—ll

VI

For the last three years the overtime worked in the chief cities is shown in the following table:-

For the last year (up to 31st March, 1908) the overtime worked in each centre is as follows: —

Accidents in Factories. Five hundred and seventy-seven accidents occurred in factories during the last year. Most of these were of small importance, a few were severe, and six were fatal. It is a matter for congratulation that such accidents show a notable decrease in number and character. Against 679 accidents of the previous year we now record 583, and against sixteen fatal accidents less than half that number. Among 135 persons working in factories, but one accident is now annually averaged (or 0"74 per cent.), and there is one fatal accident among every 13,104 people (or 0-0076 per cent.). This is a very fine position of security for New Zealand industries to occupy, and it is creditable to the watchfulness of employers, of Inspectors, and of the workers themselves. Breaches op the Factories Act. One hundred and fifty-six convictions under the Factories Act were recorded by the departmental officers during the period under review. As a general rule, there was very little friction indeed between the employers and those at work under them. Reports from Inspectors of Factories everywhere confirm the idea that the provisions of the present Act are appreciated, and, except in the large towns, long intervals elapse without any necessity for interference with the general conduct of industrial business. The cases of interest are mainly as follows : — A draper was fined £1 and costs for exposing for sale garments made in an unregistered workroom, without attaching to them a label setting forth the fact. Defendant had let out work to a woman, who was paid 7Jd. for making a shirt, and who had to find the buttons and cotton. The Magistrate said that it looked like the thin edge of sweating, and future cases would be severely dealt with. Another firm was fined £5 and costs for a similar breach in giving out kapoc-mattress work. Owing to an alleged misunderstanding, a new hearing was granted, but the case was again decided in the Department's favour. The fine was then increased to £5 Is., to allow of an appeal being made, notice of which was given but not proceeded with. A tailor was awarded £6 15s. damages, with costs, against a machinist who left his employment without notice in the busy season. Two Chinese laundry-keepers were charged_with failing to keep a record of their employees, and the wages paid, also the ages of all employees under twenty-one years. The defence was that such a register was kept in Chinese. On promise to keep a proper record in future, a fine of 10e. ond costs was imposed in each case.

City. I Year. !l Women and Boys. Hours. Men. Hours. Auckland... Wellington Christchurch Dunedin ... •■ ... 1905-6 1906-7 1907-8 1905-6 1906-7 1907-H 1905-6 1906-7 1907-8 1905-6 1906-7 1907-8 1,685 2,025 126 1,614 1,828 2,391 2,405 2,933 2,903 1,198 1,877 1,772 1(1,046 563 43,263 54,108 468 36,036 64,478 1,499 59,272 37,146 952 63,614 52,670 2,189 123,129 54,362 2,837 134,360 60,681 1,622 64,059 100,474 841 63,975 83,955 1,444 80,368 37,080 785 104,071 54,829 940 107,565 61,419 1.S71 194,804

City. Women and Boys. Hours. Men. Hours. Auckland Wellington Christchurch Dunedin 2,426 2,391 2,903 1.772 64.478 64,362 83,955 61,419 1.499 2,837 1,444 1.871 59,272 134,360 80,368 194,804 9,492 264.214 7,651 468.804