H.—ll

XIX

Labour.

The Labour Bureau occupied a good deal of my time, some Government roadworks being carried on in the district, the men employed being selected by me. This arrangement worked without friction and satisfactorily with the Public Works officers. Shearers' Accommodation Act. There are no sheep-stations in my district which come under the Shearers' Accommodation Act, consequently I have nothing to report on that subject. I have, &c, A. Green, Inspector of Factories. E. Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector of Factories.

GREYMOUTH. Sir, — Police-station, Greymouth, 9th April, 1900. Re your circular of the 3rd instant, I have to report that there has been no record of overtime kept by the late Inspector that I can discover, and no overtime permits have been issued by me since I have been appointed. There have been no accidents or prosecutions since I have occupied the position of Inspector. Thirty factories were registered during the year, and I am glad to say that they seem fairly busy, especially the foundry, which has engaged several additional hands lately, and expect to be in a position to engage more later on, owing to the dredging boom. The timber trade is rather brisk just now, and in one or two cases where they used to send their timber away they now are able to dispose of it locally. As for the coal trade, it seems in about the same position as it was at this time last year, there being no noticeable difference. In the grocery business there appears to be a move, and the grocers say that business is far better than formerly, and they expect it to be better still when the dredges get to work. The drapery and soft-goods business does not show much improvement, neither does the bootmaking, nor the furniture-making trades, but the owners speak hopefully of the future. The building trade is brisk, and all the available men are employed; and the same thing applies to the brickmakers and plasterers. Shortly speaking, the general prospect of the district is decidedly better all round—the mining industry is booming, and there seems plenty of work for everybody. A. E. Fanthorpe, Inspector of Factories. E. Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector of Factories.

Sir, — Greymouth, 2nd April, 1900. I have the honour to report as to the position of labour in this district. I am pleased to be able to state that, generally speaking, things in this district during the past year have been fairly good compared with the previous year, but not so good as they were years ago. This, of course, was to be expected, as the difficulty in connection with the Midland Railway prevented the Government pushing the line on as fast as perhaps they would have done. During the past year an average of 188 men have been kept steadily employed on the line. These men have, I believe, been satisfied with the way they have been treated, and that speaks for itself, as there are always some grumblers to be found among such a large body of men. Other work has been carried on by the Government in this district, among others the road to Point Elizabeth has been commenced, also the Ahaura-Haupiri' Road. When I penned you my last report I hoped that the Coal Creek Railway would soon commence. I regret to say that nothing has since been done. I understand the Government intend to see that something is done by this company soon. The timber trade has kept up during the past year, and this industry gives employment to a very large body of men in the district, and they all seem happy and contented. The association has undoubtedly done good work. Brunner has been working full time, and the miners have nothing to complain of, and only last month the manager of the Blackball Mine was advertising in our local papers for men for a double shift. This must be taken as a healthy sign. Great interest is being taken at present in this district in dredging, and if expectations are to be relied upon there is going to be work for every one in the district before long. There is, I think, very little doubt that a large percentage of the dredging areas taken up on this coast must pay, and that being so the amount of labour that will be absorbed can hardly be reckoned, as 1 have no doubt the dredges will be built to burn wood, and that alone will take up a lot of labour to keep up the supply. Our foundry is working full time, and it is the intention of the management shortly to work two shifts. I hear also rumours of other foundries starting here, but I do not know whether they are true. The war in South Africa has made our local farmers raise their prices, and they are consequently cheerful. The rise in wool also helped them along, certainly not before they deserved the help, as the West Coast farmer has a lot to contend with that his East Coast friends are not aware of. Shipping here has been as usual, and the wharf-labourers are, I think, making a good average wage. They have a little union run on good lines, and the Union Company seem to meet the men in a fair spirit. One suggestion I would like to make is with respect to a number of the men at Jackson's. There are many there who have brought their families, have built houses and settled down. It seems a pity that these men will have to again break up their homes and seek fresh fields. I