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employers, which include the various local bodies in and around Dunedin. 1 have to express my thanks to the officers and members of the local bodies for their hearty and valuable assistance during the year, especially in the winter season when a large number of men were out of work. These bodies did all that was possible by pushing forward work during the periods named ami by engaging the men through this office, thus enabling the Department I" deal with the most deserving cases. Conclusion. I may say, in conclusion, that the whole of the work done (luring the year has been carried out practically without friction, and the courtesy ami consideration extended to the Inspectors by the employers ami officers of the various unions has enabled the work to lie carried out in a pleasant and satisfactory manner. I have. 4c, W. Newton, The Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington. Inspector of Factories.

GISBORNE. Sir, — Department of Labour, Gisborne, 24th April, 1911. I have the honour to report on the working of the Department in Cisborno during the year ending 31st March, 1911. Details will show that the district has prospered industrially during the period, and that employers and employees have worked amicably together. The excellent prices secured for all staple productions have had the effect of bettering trade generally, and, as a consequence, constant employment has been found for all classes of lab -. This, in its turn, has benefited the retailers. Although the number of workers generally has increased considerably during the period, il is not feared that there will be any lack of employment for some time to come. The borough has schemes in hand for drainage, improvement to the water-supply, tramway, electric lighting, and road-improvement; the Harbour Board is engaged in improving the harbour; the County Council is engaged in road-improvement; ami altogether the outlook for unskilled labour is decidedly good. The export of frozen moat is expected to show a substantial increase for the season of about 50,000 carcases. Factories. There were lill factories registered (luring the year. The factories are well conducted, the health and safety of tho employees being as well cared for as is possible under the antiquated system of the drainage. As a complete ami up-to-date drainage scheme is now in progress, no doubt a great improvement in sanitation will be effected (luring the coming year. It seems an anomaly that although a man employing one person in a room has to register a factory, a builder can employ any number of workers outside and is not required to register. In some cases builders have at times a number of men employed, and not even an office, which makes inspection under awards very difficult and uncertain. Permits to work in factories were issued to 22 young persons during the year, and 89 women and boys have worked 4,339 hours overtime. During the year 78 accidents have been reported, 57 of a slight nature, incapacitating the worker for a few days only, while 4 were very serious, ami I was fatal. A very large proportion of the accidents occur in the meat-freezing works, where high-speed piecework is responsible for the cutting of hands, 4c. All accidents are inquired into, and I find the employers have taken all reasonable precautions to protect the workers. With the exception of one large firm, I believe all employers insure their hands against accidents. Shops and Offices Act. Although a number of complaints have been received and investigated under this Act, most of them have been found to be of a trivial nature, or quite.without foundation. It has been found necessary to take three cases to Court during the year. Fines were ordered in all cases. I find the last amendment to the Act, requiring shopkeepers to keep a wages and time book, of great assistance in inspecting, as previously it was difficult lo ascertain the hours worked and wages paid. There has been £26 arrears of wages paid to workers through the action of the Department during the year. One hundred and eighty-nine shops have been registered during the year, as against 182 last year, being an increase of 7 shops. Industrial Conciliation and AitniTitATiON Act. There has been no industrial unrest in this district during the year. The shearers have been granted an award based upon the conditions prevailing in other parts of the Dominion. A Labourer's Union with a large membership has been formed, and application made for registration. Ten cases for enforcements of awards were taken during the year; one was dismissed, and a total of £13 13s. penalties and costs inflicted in the remaining cases. There was also one prosecution for failure to post copy of the Timber Workers' award, and a fine of £2 and 7s. costs was inflicted.