"THE EMPLOYMENT OF FEMALES AND OTHERS ACT, 1881" (REPORT OF INSPECTOR APPOINTED UNDER).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1886 Session I, H-20a

IT,-20a

188G. NEW ZEALAND.

"THE EMPLOYMENT OF FEMALES AND OTHERS ACT, 1881" (REPORT OF INSPECTOR APPOINTED UNDER).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Inbpeotoe of Factories, Dunedin District, to the Eesident Magistrate, Dunedin. Sib, — Weights and Measures Office, Dunedin, 12th July, 1886. I have the honour to forward herewith a report of the duties performed by me under " The Employment of Females and Others Act 1881 Amendment Act, 1885," for the quarter ended 30th June, 1886. During the quarter I have visited at various times the factories and workrooms in this district, and (with only two or three exceptions) I found no desire on the part of employers to contravene the Act. This may possibly be owing a good deal to the depression which exists here at the present time not offering sufficient inducements for so doing. There have been two or three cases brought under my notice during the past quarter which I think but right to draw your attention to, as there is no provision made in the Factory Act to meet them —viz., where females are employed in laundries and confectioners' shops from twelve to sixteen hours per day. I will therefore mention one instance where, in a confectioner's shop with refreshment-rooms attached, two females are employed. They commence their work at 8 a.m., and continue, without any definite interval, until 11.80 p.m., and on Saturdays until 12 o'clock midnight. One of these females is at present confined to bed through illness, supposed to be brought on by overwork. They are not provided with seats —consequently have to stand all day, and can only obtain their meals when an interval occurs between the serving of customers. The wages received by each of the females I refer to is only 10s. per week; therefore I think that in such and similar cases some provision should be made in the Act whereby the eight-hours system could be enforced, and an interval allowed similar to that provided for in factories, &c. ; also that seats should be provided. There have been only two informations laid during the quarter for breaches of the Act: the first was under section 6, for employing a boy after 2 p.m. on Saturday ; and the other under subsection (1), section 7 —viz., for employing a boy for more than four and a half hours without an interval; in each of which cases the person was convicted and fined. I have, &c, John Hanson, Inspector of Factories, &c, Dunedin District. [Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,330 copies), 15s.]

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