H.—ll

XXXI

to comply with the law; the special facilities provided for in the Act allowing For holidays on special occasions, such as during the Carnival and Grand National weeks, have been appreciated. Section 13 of the Amendment Act (making it compulsory for the occupier to register his shop in the name of one person as occupier) has created some little dissatisfaction in the case of partners holding equal shares in the business, as il practically compels one partner to do all the overtime work during the time the shop is open for business. No doubt the object of the section is to prevent snraller shops from gaining an advantage over large shops by means of partnerships. The repeal of a part of section .'! and of subsection it) of section ti has resulted in reducing the hours of the assistants in several trades—viz., butchers, from 56 to 52; hairdressers ami tobacconists, from -V! to 52: hotel-workers, from 65 for all employees to 62 for males above the age of sixteen, and 58 for all other workers. This concession to the workers has been still greater to many of those employed in hotels in outside districts, as formerly there was no restriction as to the number of hours worked, there being no awards or agreements. The number of shops registered during the year totals 1,151, in which 2,772 persons are employed—viz., 1,896 males and 876 females. The amount of overtime worked by the assistants at stocktaking ami other special work has increased slightly. 1,145 persons having worked 14,853 hours, as follows: 661 males. 9,621 hours; and 484 females, 5,232 hours. The prosecutions under the Act numbered 63. Penalties were imposed in 57 oases, and (i were dismissed. 5 of them under section 112 of the Justices of the Peace Act. as being excusable; and one case, where two actions were taken against an employer for employing a shop-assistant to drive a butcher's hawking cart, and for keeping the shop open, the Magistrate held that the selling constituted the breach of failing to close, ami that both charges were the result of the one offence. The total penalties tinder this Act amounted to £49 10s., with the usual costs. I would again urge the necessity of provision being made in any subsequent amendments of the Shops and Offices Act to provide for the erection of a suitable fire-escape in all cases where the business of a shop is carried on on a floor above the ground-floor, especially in the case of restaurants and tea-rooms employing a large number of assistants until nearly midnight in upstair premises, with no alternate means of escape for the assistants or customers in case of fire. Servants' Recistuv Offices Act. No difficulty has been experienced in regard to the offices registered under this Act. Books are being kept in accordance with the provisions set forth in the schedule to the Act, and, although there has been a number of changes in the several businesses, the newcomers continued with the former occupier's books. There have been very few complaints as to the fees charged, which, on inquiry being made, were found to be in accordance with the scale of fees provided by the Act. During the year 2 new licenses were issued and 9 renewed. WoitKKiis' Dwellings Act. During the earlier part of tlie year the work entailed upon this office under this Act was very light, but since the passing of the new Workers' Dwellings Act of last session the amount of work has been very heavy indeed. The constant application of the occupiers of the dwellings for repairs, <fee, has necessitated frequent visits of inspection, as well as the supervision of the various contracts let. Many inquiries have been made as lo the conditions laid down in the new Act to enable workers to purchase dwellings under the twenty-five and a half years purchase system. Tho present difficulty here is as to the land to be built upon, some of the applicants desiring expensive sections, and others wishing the department to purchase dwellings already erected, &c. When the Act is properly understood, and the system is under way, tho difficulties of the present should bo overcome, but in the meantime the extra work entailed is considerable. Shearers' and Agricultural Labourers' Accommodation Act. In all cases where reports have been received as to the conditions provided for the housing of farm labourers being inadequate or unsatisfactory an inspection has been made, and directions given for improvements to be made. In nearly every instance the requirements have been complied with, but there are one or two cases which will probably have to come before the Court before the directions given are carried out. In one case an application was filed for an order of the Magistrate to compel a farmer to provide proper accommodation. The application was heard at Ashburton, and an order was made by the Magistrate directing the occupier to provide a new building with separate sleeping ami dining compartments of certain proportions; also sanitary conveniences, water-supply. Sec, the work to be performed within three months from the date of the order; 7s. costs were allowed. Several shearing-sheds were also visited, anil it was found that improvements ordered the previous year had been made. Tt was necessary to order certain improvements in one other case. Scaffolding- Inspection A< t. The administration of this Act has given very general satisfaction to the numerous workers who are compelled to trust their lives on scaffolding in connection with the erection or repairs of high buildings. The employers also recognize the benefit of the inspection of their ropes and gear, which relieves them of a lot of anxiety; in fact, most ol the large builders direct their foremen and scaffolders to take particular note of the Scaffolding Inspector's instructions, and to carry them out. Inspection of scaffolding has been made also at Aniberley, Rangiora. Oxford, Ashburton, Rakaia, and Geraldine.