XLV

H.—ll

Shops and Offices Act. I can only repeat what I said last year in regard to these Acts —namely, that everything is working smoothly. The half-holiday has been observed, and the same applies in regard to females and boys finishing work punctually at 9 p.m. on Saturday nights. Servants' Registry Offices. There are only 3 of these offices in this town —same number as last year—and I am pleased to report they are all well conducted. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. This Act'is working fairly well, although a great amount of work is required in keeping employers up to their respective awards ; but now that the Department is supplying each employer with a free copy of their respective award there is no excuse for failing to comply. 43 breaches were recorded, and convictions were obtained in 37 cases, 6 being dismissed ; 7 cases are now waiting to be heard by the Court. Unskilled Labour. Employment in this branch has been plentiful during the year, and wages have invariably increased, especially with agricultural labourers and ploughmen ; but for the greater part of the year ploughmen were very scarce, and fanners were put to great inconveinence, being unable to procure good men, although they were offering up'to £1 10s. per week and found. During the year 44 men, having 14 dependants, have been sent to private employment. i As anticipated, South Canterbury has enjoyed another prosperous year, and the outlook for the current year should be almost as good ; but the big drop in the price of wool must of necessity make a difference to the spending-power of an agricultural district such as this. Shipping. I have again to report that the Port of Timaru has had another good year, as the following returns will show: Wool. 27,769 bales; skins, 757 bales; frozen mutton, 756,167 carcases; wheat, 157,591 sacks ; oats, 56,024 sacks; oatmeal, 2,640 sacks ; bran and sharps, 51,778 sacks ; potatoes, 20,359 sacks; tallow, 1,954 tons ; preserved meate, 2,607 cases; poultry, 10 cases ; live buocp, 10,389; flour, 124,884 sacks ; general merchandise, 1,005 tons. Total exported, 42,032 tons ; imports, 87,689 tons ; making a grand total of 129,721 tons. In conclusion, I have again to thank the various persons with whom my duties brought me into contact for the invariable courtesy extended to me in carrying out my multifarious duties during the year. I have, &c, P. Keddie, The Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington. Inspector of Factories. OAMARU. Sl B) Department of Labour, Oamaru, 4th April, 1908. I have the honour to submit, for your information, a report upon the working of the various Acts under my supervision in this district for the year ending the 31st March, 1908, and I am pleased to be able to state that I found a general willingness on the part of employers and employees to aid me in carrying out the provisions of our labour laws in every possible way. Factories. One hundred and thirty-one factories were registered dining the year, in which worked 566 males and 252 females; 235 persons (including males and females) worked ( ,-ertime 7,988 hours; permits to young persons wore issued to 10 males and 6 femali s ; 2 accidents of a trivial nature were reported during the year ; and 4 breaches of the AcWgainst one employer. A conviction was entered in one case, and the others withdrawn, at the suggestion of the Magistrate who presided. The fine and costs were paid to the Clerk of the Stipendiary Magistrate's Court. Shops. One hundred and forty shops sent in returns, in which were employed 169 males and 79 females, who worked overtime 358 hours by 28 persons. I have devoted a good deal of attention to sanitation and ventilation in shops, which are now satisfactory. The weekly holiday is observed. I found all concerned willing to carry out the provisions of the Act in a fair and reasonable manner. Servants' Registry Offices. Four persons were registered during the year, and I found from occasional visits and inspection of their books that they complied with the provisions of the Act. Shearers' Accommodation. I duly inspected 4 sheds during the time the hands were at work at shearing, and found the accommodation good, the men well housed and well treated.