H.—ll.

A very useful digest of Decisions and Interpretations of the Court was prepared by Mr. D. M. Findlay, banister and solicitor, Wellington, for reference purposes. This digest deals with the whole of the cases from the inception of the Act up to the 31st December, 1908. Such a digest was very urgently needed, especially in view of the Act passed last session empowering enforcement cases being taken before Magistrates. The volumes of awards had become exceedingly scarce—many of them were completely out of print, and, as it was impossible to supply Magistrates with these volumes, the need for a digest became very pressing. Another booklet, entitled " Digest of Decisions in Workers' Compensation Cases," was issued by the Department early this year. This was compiled and edited by Mr. P. Levi, barrister and solicitor, of Wellington, and dealt with all cases under the Act up to the end of December, 1907. The fourth edition of the " Labour Laws of New Zealand " was exhausted, and it was decided to reprint these laws and issue a fifth edition. Several new features have been introduced in this new edition; not only have the laws themselves been published, but the regulations under the various Acts are also included in an appendix. A very complete index is also included in the volume, and the analysis of the Acts also forms part of the appendix. The Departmental Library. The library is now an important feature of the Labour Department, to which increased attention has been directed during the past year. The total number of volumes is now upwards of 1,100, to which must be added a quantity of loose matter in the form of pamphlets, &c, all arranged, and catalogued in order, so as to render them readily accessible whenever required for reference. The subjects dealt with in the bulk of the volumes treason industrial and economical matters and labour statistics, and the largest number of works, as might be expected, deal with this Dominion, which heads the list with a total of close on 400 volumes, the United States coming next with 270 to her credit, and the United Kingdom providing nearly 200. Supplies are also drawn from Canada, Austria, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, the Argentine Republic, Russia, Hawaii, the several States of the Australian Commonwealth, and South Africa. The library is open to the public, and the books may be consulted at any time during office hours. The books have not been lent out to any great extent, but when the library is more complete it is expected that this branch will be extended. No refusal has yet been made, however, to lend out books when the reason given was satisfactory to the Department. , A list of " Recent Accessions "is published every month in the Labour Journal. Edward Tregear, Secretary for Labour.

The Chief Inspector of Factories to the Hon. \ the Minister op Labour. Sir, —■ Department of Labour, Wellington, 29th June, 1909. I have the honour to present herewith my report on that portion of the work of the Department which it is my duty to supervise and direct. The Department's operations continue to expand every year ; our outward and inward correspondence grows apace ; for comparison, see the following tables : — 1904-5. 1908-9. Outward. Inward. Outward. Inward. Letters .. .. .. 5,252 6,400 14,151 13,762 Telegrams .. .. .. 1,098 1,104 1,681 1,791 Circulars and circular letters .. 4,500 .. 16,113

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