LXV

PL—ll

During the year 4 employers were prosecuted for failing to send notices of intention to erect scaffolding, and in every case a penalty was inflicted. During the year under review the erection of large buildings has fallen off considerably, only 75 notices of intention to erect scaffolding having been received, as against 85 during the 1907-8 period. Cottage-work has shown an increase, hence the increased number of visits of inspection. I am pleased to be able to state that the quality of scaffolding in this district is very good, particularly in Dunedin, where my visits are, the most frequent. In the outlying districts the employers are inclined to shirk their responsibility, and trust to an Inspector not appearing till the job is completed. In conclusion, I may state that the Act has worked very satisfactorily, and that the fact of the Act being in force is entirely responsible for the very small percentage of accidents on buildings in course of erection. Yours, &c, P. Babton, The Secretary for Labour, Wellington. Inspector of Scaffolding.

REPORT FROM WOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT BRANCHES OF THE DEPARTMENT.

AUCKLAND. Sib, — Department of Labour (Women's Branch), Auckland, 17th April, 1909. I have the honour to submit, for your infijrmation, my report upon the business transacted by this branch of the Department since its inauguration ten months ago. It is most gratifying to be able to record that the decision of the Minister to extend the sphere of the Department to include branches for women has met with general approval in this district, and has been warmly welcomed and extensively used by those for whom the branch was specially created —viz., the mistress and the maid. Mistresses have frequently expressed their appreciation and gratitude, many stating that the office was now filling what had been " a long-felt public want." The especial value is the care which is exercised in the selection of suitable domestic assistants ; in this matter character and fitness are the essentials dealt with. Upon the other side, appreciation has been equally shown by the women seeking employment. They seem to have full confidence that they will be placed in situations which they are capable of filling, and where their live? will be made congenial. It is interesting to note that 1,764 applications have been received for domestic assistants, and 1,019 applications for employment have been made by women workers, thus making in ten months a total of 2,783 persons who have sought the aid of our office. Out of the foregoing numbers, 576 actual cngagemente have been made. These figures speak for themselves, and demonstrate not only the practicability, but the amount of confidence reposed in our office by both sides—a confidence which, I am pleased to say, is steadily increasing. The following is the classified analysis of applications received and dealt with and engagements made in the past ten months. Applications for Assistants. \ Number. : Number. To assist . . • ■ • • 138 Laundresses .. . . . . 62 Attendants . . .. • • ■ • 3 Lady-helps . . .. . . . 69 Barmaids .. . • • • • • ? Married couples . . . . . . 4 Cigar-workers .. •• •• 5 Milliners .. .. .. ..18 Cooks .. . • • ■ .. 291 Nurses . . .. . . . . 34 Charwomen . . .. • • . . 26 Pantry-maids . . . . . . 29 Companions .. .. ■ • • • 5 Porters and page-boys 24 Generals . . . ■ • • • • 532 Saleswomen . . . . . . . . 4 Governesses . . .. • ■ • • 4 Seamstresses . . . . . . . . (i Housemaids and waitresses .. " .. .372 Wards-maids.. .. .. .. 3 Housekeepers . • • • . . 63 — Kitchen-maids .. .. ■ • 34 Total , . ... . .. 1,764 Kitchen-men .. . ■ .. 31

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