H.—ll

to a hospital, where he died the next day. Notices had been put up at the place where it was the custom to throw the sacks of material, but it is understood that the board to which they were affixed had fallen down shortly before the commencement of the work. The practice of dropping material from upper landings has since been discontinued at the establishment. (3.) A foreman tram-layer at a timber-mill was assisting four workers to place several logs on a truck that had left the line. One log had been jacked up, and the foreman was preparing a foothold for a second jack when the log that was already in position moved and caused the jack to collapse. The log then rolled downwards, crushing the foreman's head against another log, killing him instantly. This method of handling logs is that generally followed, and no measures could be suggested by the Department to guard against similar accidents. (4.) A trollyman at a timber-mill was engaged in unloading logs from a trolly on to skids. After being jacked up about 2 ft. a log about 50 ft. in length was turned over with a cant-hook. As the log rolled it carried the jack around, which struck the worker and threw him across the skids. Before he could recover to his feet the log rolled over him, crushing his head and chest. The injured man died shortly after the accident. (5.) An assistant in a dairy factory requested the engine-driver to stop the machinery to enable him to place the pump-driving belt on a pulley. In order to avoid stopping the machinery the engine-driver proceeded to the main driving-belt and removed it to the loose pulley, thus disconnecting the shaft without stopping the engine. In the meantime the factory assistant, without waiting for the shaft to stop running, attempted to fix the pump-belt to the driving-pulley and was caught between the pulley and the belt. His body was twisted around the shaft and struck the wall, afterwards falling to the ground. The injured worker was removed to the hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate a leg. About a month after the accident he succumbed to his injuries. (6.) An apprentice in an engineering-works climbed a ladder to a platform about 16 ft. above the ground for the purpose of transferring a belt from a pulley to a supplementary shaft. It was the custom for the machinery to be run at a low speed when this operation was being performed, but on this occasion the worker did not request the engineer in charge of the motor to slow down. There were no direct eye-witnesses of the accident, but it was concluded that the sleeve of the apprentice's overall coat caught between the belt and the pulley, with the result that he was dragged in, twisted around the shafting, and dashed against the plank and beam. The injured worker expired in hospital about two hours later. The apprentice was twenty years of age and was in his fifth year. (7.) A worker in a cement-works employed as a greaser had his attention called to an overflow of cement from the conveyer in the mill, the pressure from which forced the cover off the conveyer ; whilst proceeding to shut off the controlling machinery the worker stepped into the conveyer, with fatal results. On the Department's instruction a fence has been erected to prevent any worker from stepping on the conveyer. Factory Hygiene and Welfare Work. As mentioned in the previous year's report arrangements were made with a number of occupiers of factories in the chief centres of the Dominion to keep returns showing the temperature and humidity of the air and other factors that are likely to affect the health or the output of the workers. In some cases the returns were not found to be altogether satisfactory, as examination showed that faithful readings of the thermometers and hygrometers had not always been carried out. From the returns which were satisfactorily filled in, however, the Government Statistician has obtained the following information : — From the point of view of output the most satisfactory temperature in sedentary occupations appears to have been about 66° on the average, and the farther the temperature has diverged from this figure the lower in general has been the output. It is interesting to note that this conclusion conforms fairly closely to the results of the investigations of Ellsworth Huntingdon in the United States. From a health point of view, however, this temperature is regarded by medical officers as too high. A temperature of from 55° to 62°, having regard to the nature of the employment and the locality, is considered the most satisfactory for the greater part of the year, while a slightly lower temperature should be allowed if the temperature of the external air is less than 40°. An attempt was made in the case of several firms to ascertain the effect of the humidity of the air as well as temperature upon output, but the results were inconclusive owing to the returns not being complete. A further investigation of the matter is, however, being made. In regard to the relation between daily output and the day of the week it is generally considered that the daily output is low at the beginning and the end of the week. This is confirmed, by definite figures supplied by several firms. The women Factory Inspectors (who are stationed in the four chief centres) have, in addition to their ordinary duties, continued to give special attention to the welfare of women workers. The importance of the health and welfare of workers in factories is becoming more fully recognized, in the interests of both workers and employers. As an example, most of the larger clothing-factories have now adopted the adjustable seats for machinists and others. A few years ago it was considered by employers that wooden seats without back-rests were the proper seats in clothing-factories ; now it is stated by those who have adopted the adjustable seats that they help to eliminate fatigue, and the output is in consequence increased. Attention has also been paid to the desirability of providing cloak-rooms, rest-rooms, protective clothing, washing-facilities, &c. Certificates of fitness issued to boys and girls under sixteen years of age to work in factories: Boys, 1,300; girls, 1,586: total, 2,886.

4