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ROTORUA. Sic, — Police-station, Rotorua, 2nd April, 1904. I have the honour to submit for your information my annual report upon the working of the Factories and other Acts in this district for the year ending the 31st March, 1904. During the year 30 factories were registered, wherein were employed 146 men and 9 women, as against 23 registered in 1902, wherein were employed 103 men and 6 women. During the three months of the past year in which I have acted as Inspector of Factories in this district only one accident was reported—viz., an accidental fall of an attendant in one of the flax-mills while engaged screwing up a bolt. This was in no way due to any fault of the machinery, and, as stated, was purely accidental. There have been no prosecutions since I took over this office, and my predecessor informs me there were none during his term of office. So far as I have been able to see, everything in connection with the factories is highly satisfactory. No overtime permits were issued. Shops and Shop-assistants Acts. During the year these Acts have worked smoothly and well, and no complaints have been received from either employer or employed. Seevants' Registry Offices Act. There are now no registered offices for servants in this district, the only office that formerly existed having closed during the latter part of the year. Labour. No applications have been received during the year for employment, the local demand being sufficient to absorb any casual or surplus labour. The past year, from all I can glean, has been a prosperous one, and capital and labour have benefited thereby. I have, &c, W. T. Phaie, Sergeant, and Inspector of Factories. E. Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington.

GISBORNE. Sir, — Department of Labour, Gisborne, 31st March, 1904. I have the honour so submit to you my annual report, as Inspector of Factories, for the year ending the 31st March, 1904. During the year 74 factories were registered—an increase of 5 on the preceding year—employing 688 males and 89 females, totalling 777 persons, an increase of 138 on the previous year. Ten permits were granted to young persons under sixteen years of age to work in factories. Five hundred and fifty-one hours' overtime were worked in factories by 64 persons, and 40 hours' overtime in shops by 11 persons. No accidents were recorded during the year. One license was granted and two renewed under the Servants' Registry Offices Act. The Factories, Shops and Shop-assistants, and Servants' Registry Offices Acts have worked well during the year, there having been no complaints and no prosecutions. The Accommodation for Shearers Act is having a good effect, the accommodation improving yearly. This district is prospering owing to large areas of bush being felled and the clearings grassed. A number of butter-factories and creameries have been erected. Work of all kind 3 is plentiful, and experienced bushmen and carpenters are being inquired for. I have, &c, Myles Doyle, Edward Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector, Wellington. Inspector of Factories.

NAPIER. Sir, — Department of Labour, Napier, 2nd April, 1904. I have the honour to present to you my report for the year ending the 31st March, 1904. Factories. There were 167 factories and workrooms registered during the year, an increase of 8, employing 21 boys and 42 females under sixteen years of age, 241 females above that age, and 931 males, making a total of 1,235 workers—viz., 952 males and 283 females. Overtime warrants have been issued to 16 factory and workroom owners to work 129 females and boys 1,562| hours. Ninety-two males have worked overtime 9,216£ hours. Of this, 62 engineers have worked 7,716| hours, and tailors, approximately, 1,500. - Certificates of fitness to work in factories or workrooms have been issued to 18 boys and 28 girls. Three accidents have been reported, none of which was very serious. There were two prosecutions. Fines were imposed in each case. iii—H. 11.

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