H.—ll

XXXI

The coachbuilding trade has been very busy. Engineering trade has been fairly busy, with employment regular all through the year. Other trades generally have also been busy, employers oftentimes complaining of their inability to get carpenters, painters, blacksmiths, dressmakers, tailoresses, tailors, &c. The employers in these trades state that tlnir turnover would have been much larger had it been possible for them to overtake the demands made upon them. Factories For the year 167 factories were registered, employing 1,106 persons —viz., 922 males and 184 females, showing an increase of 20 factories and 282 workers over last year. The total amount of overtime worked in factories was 12,900 hours —viz., 167 males worked 10,731 hours and 76 females worked 2,169 hours, an increase of 6,650 hours overtime worked by both sexes, compared with the previous year. Certificates of fitness were issued to 14 boys and 2 girls There were seven prosecutions for breaches of this Act, convictions were recorded and penalties inflicted in each of 6 cases, and 1 case was dismisssed on a legal technicality. The number of accidents reported for the year was 34, the majority being freezing-workers, but none of them were of a very serious nature. Shops and Offices Act. There are 185 shops registered in the district, being an increase of 18 as compared with last year ; the amount of overtime worked during the year was 2,174 houis, 75 males working 2,097 hours, and 19 females working 77 hours, showing an increase of 1,361 hours on the preceding year. There were 7 prosecutions for breaches of this Act, 'convictions being recorded and penalties inflicted in each case. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. There are 8 awards working in this district, and through the excuse characteristic of the average respondent in enforcement cases —viz., ignorance and carelessness in making himself acquainted with the terms and conditions of the awards, &c. —a number of applications for enforcements are awaiting the attention of the Court. The decisions that were reserved in the cases of the 46 slaughtermen cited before the Court for breaches of section 15 of the Act of 1905 re strikes have been given, and each respondent fined £5. The Servants' Kegistry Office Act. There are now 7 offices duly registered, and from inspection I find that they are giving satisfaction, and are willing to carry out the provisions required by the Act. Labour. The year has been a satisfactory one, work being plentiful, and a large number of men calling at this office have been assisted by being placed on public and private works. On the whole, the prospects are very promising for the coming year. The building trade is surprisingly good. Manufacturers and tradesmen are busy, good prices are resulting for all products, and there is every prospect of a prosperous year. In conclusion, I have to thank the various persons with whom my duty has brought me in contact for the consideration and courtesy shown me while carrying out my duties. I have, &c, Ernest W. F. Gohns, The Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington. Inspector of Factories. I NAPIER. Sir, — Department of Labour, Napier, 14th April, 1908. I have the honour to submit to you my ;uinual report of matters coming within the jurisdiction of the Napier district office of the Department of Labour for the year ending the 31st March, 1908. General. The year just concluded has been a most prosperous one for both skilled and unskilled labour. It (in safely be said that no man willing to work has had cause to complain of non-employment as far as the Hawke's Bay district is concerned. The difficulty has been to find good men to fill the different requirements rather than work for any unemployed. Especially has this been the case with regard to carpenters and those engaged in the building trades. Good quarrymen and labourers generally have also been wanting, and the trouble has been to obtain reliable men. Of course, there have been a few sun-downers or ne'er-do-wells, and these have been unwilling to work when work has been offered them, but the last year has seen a less number of these undesirables than usual. Buildings in wood, brick, and ferro-concrete are being erected throughout the district, and the outlook is very promising for labour in these directions. The engineering trade has been brisk, and a lot of overtime has been worked at most of the foundries. In fact, it is difficult to pick an industry which can be said not to have had a specially good year.