H.—ll

XXXIX

OvKRTIMK. Overtime has been worked as follows : 48 women and boys under sixteen worked 1,839 hours and 137 adult males worked 5,442 houjs. Accidents. Ten slight accidents have been reported. In the majority of cases the mishap has been due to the negligence of the employee. In one case a guard was provided, but the worker failed to place it in position, and he narrowly escaped death, a piece of wood striking him on the temple. Where necessary, instructions have been given to place guards over machinery, and in all cases these have been carried out. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The work of administering this Act has been somewhat heavy, owing, as stated in last report, to the trouble in locating employers in the country districts. The various awards, generally speaking, have been fairly well observed. Applications for enforcement have been made in 4 cases, 2 employers and 1 employee were fined, and in the case of another employee a breach was recorded. There are 16 cases for hearing at the next sitting of the Arbitration Court. The trades affected were bakers, carpenters, tailors and tailoresses, and traction and stationary engine drivers. The Shops and Offices Act. This Act has not worked so smoothly. During the year it was necessary to institute 11 prosecutions ; fines were imposed in each case. There are 122 shopkeepers, giving employment to 264 persons. Twenty-one employers worked 88 persons 1,597 hours overtime, for which overtime rate was paid. Servants' Registry Offices Act. There are 4 offices doing business in Masterton, as compared with 6 last year. I have inspected their books, and found them all very satisfactory. The complaint of last year still exists—advertisements are kept in the newspapers for men wanted for some time after the positions are filled. Labour. During the greater"part of the year work has been fairly plentiful, and 66 men have been placed in Government and private'employment by the Department here. Conclusion. I have found the factories, shops, and offices throughout the district in a clean and comfortable condition, and there appears to be a general desire on the part of <'in|>lo3 r ers to study the health and convenience of those in their service. In conclusion, I desire to record my appreciation for the courteous treatment I have received from those with whom I have come in contact in my official capacity during the past year. I have, &c, Godwin E. A. Hood, The Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington. Inspector of Factories. BLENHEIM. Sir, — Department of Labour, Blenheim, 30th April, 1908. I have the honour to submit rnyannual report upon the working of the various Acts in this district for the year ending 31st March, 1908. General. I have pleasure in reporting that the business of the district has been very good throughout the whole period, signs of progress in the borough being most marked. The building trade has been very busy during the year, a large number of sections around the borough have been opened for building purposes, and substantial buildings of a good class have been and are being erected. This shows to a large degree the continued prosperity of this district. Carpenters, joiners, bricklayers, plumbers, and painters have had a very successful year. Other trades, including coachbuilding, coach-painting, blacksmiths, saddlers, and cycle-makers all report good business for the year. Owing to the fall in the price of fibre, several of the flax-mills in this district have closed down indefinitely. It is pleasing to report that the year just ended has been a very prosperous one for the farmers of this district. Notwithstanding the drought during the early part of the season, a good sample of grain was obtained, which commanded the highest prices.