H.—ll.

RENT RESTRICTION. There were 120 applications from tenants for inquiry (previous year 176). The following table shows the results of the investigations (the figures in parentheses are those for the previous year)

As mentioned in previous reports, the Rent Restriction Continuance Act, 1927, provided that from the Ist May, 1928, (1) 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) 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. Subject to the following paragraph, the provisions do not apply to houses first let after the 9th November, 1920. ' By the Rent Restriction Extension Act, 1931 (passed 31st July, 1931), the provisions were extended to cover dwellinghouses in the Hawke's Bay earthquake area let on the 3rd Peburary, 1931 (the date of the earthquake), or since that date at a rental not exceeding £104 per annum. The provisions were further continued by the Rent Restriction Act, 1934, until 31st October, 1935, when they will expire unless further extended. FOOTWEAR REGULATION ACT. There were 2,056 inspections made throughout the Dominion under this Act. As most, if not all, of the footwear required to be branded under the Act is imported, the arrangement made with the Customs Department whereby all imported footwear is examined in the Customs shed before release is still being continued. The services of the Department's footwear Inspectors were again utilized in examining the boots supplied by the Unemployment Board to relief workers employed under the various unemployment schemes, with a view to ensuring that the manufacturers were complying with the Board's specifications. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT. The regulations under the Act provide for the reverification of weights, measures, and weighing and measuring instruments in use for trade purposes. The articles verified or reverified during the vear are summarized hereunder :— , J Submitted. Incorrect. Weights 37,643 5,570 Measures .. .. .« •• •• 3,110 I^s Weighing-instruments .. .. •• •• 23,484 2,888 Measuring-instruments .. .. •• 7,279 1,520 71,516 10,103 There were also submitted for verification 329,115 bottles—milk, cream, or 0i1—284 being incorrect. In addition to the reverification work referred to, the Department has carried out surprise tests of appliances on the owner's premises ; the net-weight and standard-weight provisions of the regulations also received attention. There were 45 prosecutions for various breaches under this Act, convictions being obtained in 39 cases, and fines amounting to £33 10s. being imposed. Verification fees earned totalled £9,041 (previous year, £8,715 Bs. Id.) ) increase, £325 lis. lid. During the period the following thirty new designs of weighing and measuring instruments were submitted under clause 4, Part 11, of the regulations for approval for use for trade in the Dominion viz.:— Weighing — Self-indicating (counter and platform) scales .. .. . ■ .. 15 Automatic weighing-instruments .. • • • • .. 4 Personal weighing-instruments .. . ■ • • ■ ■ .. 3 Measuring— Petrol-pumps and equipment .. .. ■ • • • .. 2 Flow-meters (petrol) .. . • • • • • • • .. 6 30 Of these, 23 have been approved, 3 are still under consideration, and 4 have been rejected as not complying with the Weights and Measures Act and Regulations.

2—H. 11.

9

. . , . , , Number in which Rents Number m which Rents demalldt , d were deemed demanded were reduced. justified. Number in Total Number which no Haoe - . ,. of ,. At Instance of -„ v nfiT1 „ rtmfint Proceedings Applications. By department By Court, without reference Court. to Q ourt to Court. Auckland .. .. 10 (14) .. 4 .. 3 3 Wellington .. 71 (100) .. 4 •• 36 31 Christchurch .. 37 (51) .. 4 .. 22 Dunedin .. .... (2) .. • • • • • • • • Other towns 2 (9) .. 1 120 (176) .. 13 .. 61 j 46 * For example, cases found to be outside scope of Act, proceedings not desired by complainant, &c.