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of cooking facilities, simple washing conveniences, and first-aid appliances. In many large factories social halls, with piano, libraries, &c., are now set aside for the use of workers. In Auckland an association has been formed connected with soft-goods houses (wholesale, retail, and manufacturing) with the object of promoting the health of the girls employed ; nine firms have taken the matter up with enthusiasm, and it is proposed to extend the project to other businesses. As an example of what may be done it might be mentioned that one firm lias founded a rest home —a large cottage at one of the seaside resorts having been purchased to be used by the employees as a convalescent or rest home. There is, of course, yet much scope for improvement generally, but the work already done and the excellent results obtained should encourage an extension of the provisions. Steps have been taken to extend the system by which Inspectors of Factories act in conjunction with the Health Officers in enforcing hygienic conditions in food-factories, and it is noticed, as an example of more hygienic methods, that in confectionery-factories the practice of wearing uniforms has generally been adopted. Attention has been given to the question of improved seats in clothing-factories, and many occupiers have now provided seats with back-rests.

Certificates of Fitness issued to Boys and Girls under Sixteen Years of Age to Work in Factories.

Inspections. Inspectors paid 12,500 visits of inspection to factories during the year, as compared with 10,504 during the previous year. Prosecutions numbered 62, in 56 of which convictions were obtained. No case calls for comment; fines totalling £94 were imposed. During the year complaints were received respecting 187 specific alleged breaches of the Act, resulting in 13 prosecutions and 72 warnings; while 1,465 other breaches were discovered by the Inspectors themselves, for which 49 prosecutions were instituted and 1,257 warnings were given, the latter breaches being either first offences or of a minor nature. There were 1,079 requisitions served to comply with various requirements of the Act, such as for limewashing, safeguards for workers employed on machinery, &c., sanitary conveniences, fire-escapes, heating-appliances, ventilation, lighting, first-aid appliances, washing and drinking water, and diningrooms in the case of establishments employing over six women and girls and boys under sixteen. Proposed Amendments. Though this Act was consolidated in 1921 it has not been revised since 1901, and the Act has therefore, like the Shops and Offices Act of 1921, been brought up to date in a new measure. The only amendment of note suggested is that recommended in last year's report for the control of work given out by factory occupiers to be done, in workers' homes. The amendment asked for by the order-tailoring trade (employers and workers) for the regulation of the sale of garments to measure has been effected by a regulation under the Board of Trade Act (see page 17). SHOPS AND OFFICES ACT. Visits of inspection to the number of 13,510 were made during the year, as compared with 11,938 last year. Prosecutions numbered 197, and convictions were obtained in 186 cases. The sum of £239 lis. in fines was imposed. No case calls for special comment. During the year complaints were received respecting 303 specific alleged breaches of the Act, resulting in 34 prosecutions and 144 warnings; while 1,331 other breaches were discovered by the Inspectors themselves, for which 163 prosecutions were instituted and 1,031 warnings were given, the latter breaches being of a minor nature or first offences. One hundred and sixty-three requisitions were served on occupiers of shops to comply with various requirements of the Act, such as for cleansing, sanitary conveniences, heating-appliances, ventilation, and drinking-water. Under the 1920 amendment of the Act the Court of Arbitration was empowered, when making an award relating to the employment of shop-assistants under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, to fix also the closing-hours of shops under the Shops and Offices Act in the same trades

L | | j| i Year. Boys. I Girls. Total. Year. j Boys. | Girls. Total. I I II . 1' . "'I. :•'■! : ' I ! >. . 1913-14 .. .. 932 1,241 2,173 1919-20 .. .. 1,252 1,685 2,937 1914-15 .. .. 952 1,136 2,088 1920-21 .. .. 1,267 1,368 2,635 1915-16 .. .. 1.100 1,263 2,363 1921-22 .. .. 962 1,286 2,248 1916-17 .. .. 1,158 1,251 2,409 1922-23 .. .. 995 1,530 2,525 1917-18 .. .. 1,199 1,236 2,435 1923-24 .. .. 1,156 1,445 2,601 1918-19 .. .. 1,240. 1,333 2,573 1924-25 .. .. 1,259 1,277 2,536