18

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The meat-freezing works at Castlecliff are in full work just now, from forty-five to fifty men and boys being employed there, and work is likely to continue for another three months to come. There are a large number of women employed here as shopwomen and tailoresses and dressmaking hands. They receive fair wages, and work is plentiful for them at present. With regard to unskilled labour, there is no demand here in town for labour, a considerable number being out of employment. Still, work in the country is available for good men able for farm-work and bushfelling. The men looking for work here are unused to that description of work, and therefore find it hard to get employment. A few married men living in Wanganui wish to get on Government contracts in the out-districts, as they say they would do better than remaining in town, where they only get casual employment. The Factory Act is very well carried out here by the employers, and factories are kept in good order, and the various clauses of the Act strictly complied with. All factories (thirty) where more than two are employed have been registered, and there may be a few more who will come under the Act when trade gets better, as they will then employ more hands. With regard to the Shop Act, it is well carried out. They started shutting up shops on Saturday afternoons, but, that not being a suitable day, it was changed to Thursday, and, as all shopkeepers, except ironmongers, agreed to close, they have done so. strictly since they started. Ironmongers and timber and coal merchants close on Saturday afternoons, as also the wholesale houses. No complaints have been made by any employes regarding the working of the Factory and Shop Acts, and they both appear to work very smoothly in Wanganui since started. I have, &c, E. Tregear, Esq., Wellington. Edmond Villaes, Inspector.

NELSON. Sib, — Bureau of Industries, Nelson, 12th March, 1893. There have not been any applicants for employment during the month of March. In fact, there has been only one such during the past eight months. There are no real unemployed here. The building trade is pretty brisk at present, but not greater than can be met by the trade here. The non-presence of unemployed is accounted for by the male population, when arriving at manhood, leaving for other parts of the colony, so that the labour market is not overstocked. In compliance with Circular B, of the 22nd February, 1893, I have the honour to report for your information that fifty-five factories have been registered under " The Factories Act, 1891." They are not large establishments employing numerous hands, but quite sufficient to give employment to the labour available and the needs of a small population. Some of the dressmaking establishments do business with other outside places, which helps to keep the females employed through the best part of the year. The jam-factory employs a good many youths, and does a large export trade. One biscuit-baking establishment employs about forty hands. The Anchor Foundry also gives employment to a good number of hands; their chief patrons are on the West Coast. The labour market is at no time overstocked. The timber-mills have been pretty active during the year, and the building trade brisk. Since about two months after my taking charge of this district (20th July, 1892) I have not received any complaints from employes of any breaches of the Act by employers. Having at first received complaints concerning females being kept overtime, I put a stop to them by a prosecution and conviction. Employers exhibit willingness to comply with the provisions of the Act, several improvements having been made in the accommodation of factories. I would suggest that the district be extended to the Motueka Biver, to its junction with Dove Biver, thence to the sea. I have, &c, E. Tregear, Esq., Wellington. John Pratt, Inspector.

BLENHEIM. Sir,— Police Office, Blenheim, 31st March, 1893. I have to report for your information on the state of my district for the year ending the 31st March, 1893. As far as the local industries and the state of the labour market are concerned, the flax-milling industry is in full swing, and the full complement of hands is employed. I inspected several of the mills lately, and I asked the hands employed if they had any complaints to make, and they said " No." The men's quarters were fairly good, and the only fault to be found was the want of cleanliness, which is the fault of the men themselves. I impressed on the employers to compel the hands employed by them to keep the places clean. The mill-owners seem to be satisfied with the ruling prices—£l6 per ton delivered in Blenheim—for good fibre. The freezing-works carried on by Nelson Brothers at Spring Creek are also working full time, and fat sheep and lambs are coming in plentifully. These freezing-works have caused the Marlborough sheep market to be very brisk. The season for preserving rabbits is near at hand, and it is expected that the factories will employ the usual complement of men and boys. The condition of the working-classes is good; there are uo idlers about town, and the people appear to be well fed, and well dressed when about town on Sundays or holidays. The Labour Acts have been strictly carried out since they came into force, and Wednesday is the day appointed for the half-holiday, with the exception of three firms who keep Saturday. I have no suggestion to make. I have, &c, E. Tregear, Esq., Wellington. M. Scanlan, Inspector.