XLIV

EL—ll

Engineering has been busy throughout the year, entailing a considerable amount of overtime being worked. In connection with this industry it is important to note the difficulty existing in certain branches -viz., blacksmithing and moulding- —in obtaining competent tradesmen. This difficulty docs not apply only to journeymen, but i( is noticeable that there is a reluctance in apprenticing boys to these particular trades. The problem of getting boys to take up these trades will require solution if a high standard of efficiency is to be maintained. Dressmakers, tailors, ami boot -iiianuf.ictu rers have had a busy year, and in all cases a con siderable amount of overtime has been worked. Men's Employment Branch. Throughout the year there has been little difficulty in dealing with the large number of applicants for employment. Private employers are using this agency to obtain employees more freely, ami much effort has been spent in trying to meet their requirements. In the country districts employers have expressed appreciation of the services rendered by this branch. During the year skilled and unskilled workers to the number of '!l>7 were assisted by the Department, 142 being sent to Government works ami 165 to private employment: 111) were married, while 173 were single men. During the year the completion of the Blackball Railway works and the near completion of the State Collieries Railway Extension works has necessitated the dismissal of a large number of men. The projected harbour improvements will be put in hand shortly, and will doubtless find employment for many during the coming winter. Factories Act. Tin- provisions of this Act are. on the whole, well con.plied with, and when irregularities occur a little explanation is usually sufficient to put matters right. In very few cases do these irregularities occur with any intention on the part of the employers to evade the law. more often being due lo laxity in attending to details, such as keeping the dates when young people com inenee in their employ, anil keeping sufficient records of overtime worked. There is certainly room for much improvement in the Mutilation and sanitation of some of the older factories. The employers in most cases realize this, however, ami a good deal has been done during the past year lo improve ihe conditions. In two eases the factories were entirely rebuilt on modern lines. During the year 111 factories wire registered. Certificates of fitness were issued to 12 boys ami 8 girls under sixteen to work in factories. During the year 88 females and boys under sixteen years of age worked 1,660 hours' overtime. In II cases alleged breaches of the Act have been investigated. Of those. 11 were dealt with by prosecution, and all the cases were decided in favour of the Department. Inquiries have been made in respect to 1 I accidents. None were fatal, and only 2 were of a serious nature. Where necessary, attention has been paid to the effectual guarding of machinery. In all the cases care was taken to see that the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act wore carried out No difficulty has been experienced in connection with the amended Act of last session. The laundry-keepers have all fallen into line, and the trouble of getting the Chinese laundry-keepers to understand the provisions of the Act was minimized through the action of the Chinese Consul for New Zealand in supplying them with a copy of the Act in the Chinese language. The new paragraph to section 32, making it compulsory for occupiers of factories to paxwages to girls under eighteen years of age ami boys under sixteen years of ago for any holidays given, does not effect any change, as it lias been the custom to pay wages unili r the circumstances previously. Shops and Officer Act. The provisions of this Act have been well observed. Shopkeepers in many of the trades have now taken advantage of the provision enabling the majority in any trade to fix the closing-hours under section 28 of the Act. and tlie results have proved highly satisfactory. The number of shops on the register is 188. Permits for overtime were issued to 49 assistants, who worked 430 hours. As instancing the excellent manner in which the provisions of this Act are observed, only 2 prosecutions were taken against occupiers; lines were inflicted in both eases. Tho provisions of the amended Act of last session, although creating a great deal of comment at first, especially among hotelkeepers, are now working more smoothly. A little assistance and explanation to the proprietors proved that any inconvenience anticipated in regard to the hours of employment, holidays, 4c, bail been overestimated. Where only one cook xvas employed, the difficulty of having him engaged for both early and late meals was got over by a rearrangement of tho hours during which ho was to be on tlie premises. Advantage has been taken where nightporters are employed to agree to an accumulation ~f the holidays for throe months, as provide,l by section 7. Some dissatisfaction was expressed with section 13, which compelled Ihe occupier of each shop to register in the name of one person, all other persons engage.l to be deemed assistants; but when the provision was brought int.. operation any objection made was withdrawn. The compulsory provision for keeping time and wages books in shops in the same way as in factories should make it much easier to ileal with the hours and wages of assistants. Scaffolding Inspection Act. As Inspector of Scaffolding for tin- Westland District, T have made visits of inspection to all buildings in course of erection ("see reports of Inspectors of Scaffolding).

vii—H. 11.