H.—ll.

Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The Arbitration sittings during the year, when several cases were dealt with : one case was for a breach of award, and was dismissed; and one was for breach of section 108 for dismissing worker illegally, for which a penalty of £2 was inflicted. Unskilled Labour. During the year the number of applicants seeking employment increased considerably owing to the slump timber, flax, and other industries, the number of persons registered being 1,541 — namely, 468 married and 1,073 single —with 1,196 dependents. For the same period 715 persons were found employment on the various co-operative works in the district, and many were assisted towards obtaining private employment. Exports. The exports from the Port of Greymouth for the year ending 31st March, 1909, were as follows : Timber, 43,986,671 superficial feet; sleepers, 22,548; coal, 329,320 tons 3 cwt. ; coke, 2,182 tons 16 cwt. ; wool, 1,053 bales ; gold, 73,549 oz. 13 dwt. 3 gr., value £286,706. Shippings. The number and tonnage of vessels that arrived at the Port of Greymouth during the year ending 31st March, 1909, were as follows : Steamers, 670, of 333,146 tons ; sailers, 39, of 7,814 tons. And the departures were : Steamers, 666, of 330,142 tons ; sailers, 38, of 8,033 tons. In conclusion, I desire to thank all persons with whom duty brought me into contact for the uniform courtesy shown me whilst carrying out my various duties. I have, &c, James Isdell, The Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington. Inspector of Factories.

ASHBURTON. Sir, — Department of Labour, Ashburton, 31st March, 1909. I have the honour to forward my annual report for the year ending 31st March. In my last annual report I had pleasure in stating that the building trade was in a flourishing condition ; I regret now to have to say that a few months afterwards it began to fall off, and now there is not work for a third of the men that used to be employed. Dressmakers, tailors, and .milliners have been fairly well employed during the year, but blacksmiths, engineers, tinsmiths, coachsmiths, &c, have had work of a very intermittent nature. The freezing-works, in consequence of the farmers keeping back their sheep while they had feed for them, have been hampered very much, and only in the last week have been working with a full board. The woollen-factory has, up to the present time, been busy with the hands employed, and has worked a fair amount of overtime. Factories Act. There were 119 factories registered during the year, employing 639 males and 142 females, making a total of 781. In some of these the work done has been satisfactory in volume. Accidents. —Five accidents were reported during the year, but fortunately none were serious. Sanitation. —The town is in a fairly saisfactory state in this respect. Overtime. —The amount of overtime worked during the year was —males over sixteen, 4,398 hours ; 93 females and boys, 2,242 hours : making a total of 6,640 hours. Certificates of fitness to work in factories have been issued to 8 boys and 11 girls. Shops. The number on register was 122. 1 may state that the half-holiday is well observed. During the year 438 hours overtime was worked by 24 males, and 46 hours by 11 females, a total of 484 hours. Servants' Registry-offices. There are four offices in this district; they are well conducted. Shearers' Accommodation. The sheds visited during the year were fairly satisfactory, only a few minor matters requiring to be attended to. I believe that shed-owners are alive to the fact that proper|food and accommodation for their men are necessary. In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to all employers for the courtesy shown to me while in the execution of my various duties. I have, &c, R. S. Bean, The Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington. Inspector of Factories.

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