H.—ll
18
(4) Owing to the breaking of a putlog, the supports of which had been removed by other workers and had not been replaced, a carpenter fell astride a plank, receiving severe injuries. (5) While painting a steel lattice column, a painter lost his hold and fell a distance of about 16 ft. to a concrete foundation ; he sustained a fractured skull, and died later. (6) While a tunneller was working in a drainage-tunnel the face fell in owing to a " greasy back " and buried him ; his body was recovered about nine hours later. The tunnel had been properly timbered, and all precautionary measures had been taken. (7) While a worker was engaged in shifting piles by means of a wire rope attached to a winch, the rope slipped and caught the worker on the legs, causing him to fall ; he struck his head on a concrete pile, receiving fatal injuries. (8) A builder was injured through the collapse of a brick wall which was being undermined by him preparatory to its demolition ; he died before reaching the hospital. He had not given notice to the Inspector of his intention to demolish the wall, and the Inspector was, therefore, not aware that the work was being done. (9) A labourer was killed while assisting in the unloading of girders from a motor-lorry. The girders were resting on pieces of timber, and when one of them was being tipped to the ground a piece of timber swung around and struck the worker on the head. (10) A rigger was engaged in erecting a riveter's staging 70 ft. above the ground when a gust of wind caused him to overbalance ; death was instantaneous. (11) While walking along a gangway in the roof of a three-storied building a carpenter struck his head on a purlin and fell to the floor-joists below, fracturing both legs. (12) A rigger was supervising the lowering of a concrete chute when he apparently overbalanced and fell a distance of about 70 ft. to the ground ; he died in the hospital. In no case was the accident due to faulty scaffolding or gear. SERVANTS' REGISTRY OFFICES ACT. There are ninety-three offices registered in New Zealand—a decrease of three. The usual visits of inspection were made during the year to see that the Act is generally complied with. RENT-RESTRICTION. There were 270 applications received from tenants for inquiry (previous year, 345). The following table shows the results of the investigations (the figures in parentheses are those for the previous year) : —
In addition to the above, five cases were not completed at the end of the year. From the Ist May, 1928, the Rent Restriction Continuance Act, 1927, provided (1) that the standard rent shall be determined on the basis of 7 per cent, on the capital value of the dwellinghouse as at the date of such determination (instead of on the 1914 value), exclusive of rates, insurance, repairs, and depreciation (as before) ; (2) that the Act shall cease to operate except where, on the application of the tenant, a Magistrate otherwise orders ; in deciding the question the Magistrate shall have regard to the greater hardship that may be caused to either party concerned.
Number in which Rents ? umbe J * n whl< * Reut ? demanded were reduced. demanded were deemed Total Number justified. Number m p lace of : — which no Applications. «££ By Department Court, without reference Court, without reference to Court. t0 Court ' Auckland .. . 35 (47) .. 18 .. 4 13 Wellington .. 174 (169) 2 30 8 34 100 Christchurch . . 16 (35) . . 1 1 10 4 Dunedin .. .. 24 (63) .. 8 .. 4 12 Hamilton Gisborne Napier .. 10 (8) 4 .. 5 1 Masterton .. ... 3 (1) . . . . .. 2 1 New Plymouth. .. (7) . . .. . . .. .. ' Wanganui . . .. .. (1) Palmerston North . . 1 (6) .. . . . . 1 Nelson Greymouth . . 2 (2) . . 2 Timaru .. 2 (4) 1 . . .. 1 Oamaru Invercargill .. 3 (2) j 2 . . 1 270 (345)t 2 1 66 9 61 132 J * For example, cases found to be outside scope of Act, proceedings not desired by complainant, &c. I 551 during 1926-27.