H.—ll

XXXIX

Arrears recovered and disbursed to Workers under various Awards. Number. £ «. d. Bakers and pastrycooks ... ... ... ... 4 846 Bootmakers ... ... .. ... ... 1 080 Boxmakers ... ... ... ... ... 1 1 10 0 Canister-workers ... ... ... ... ■•■ 1 112 6 Carters ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 13 12 1 Carpenters ... ... ... ... ... 1 156 Coal-miners ... ... ... ... ... 1 0211 Engineers ... ... ... ... ... 3 190 Furniture ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 10 6 Hotel employees ... ... ... ... ... 25 74 1 0 Labourers ... ... ... ... ... 5 4 19 8 Plumbers ... ... ... .... ... 2 10 6 Rangeworkers ... ... ... ... ... 1 110 0 Sawmillers ... ... ... ... ... 6 19 15 9 Shearers ... ... ... ... ... 2 7 19 6 Tailoresses (factory) ... ... ... ... 3 1955 ~ cutters ... ... ... ... 1 65.1 ~ pressers ... ... ... ... 1 320 shops ... ... ... ... 1 110 6 Trawlers ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 15 7 Total ... ... ... ... 68 £169 0 0 The Servants' Registry Offices Act. Thirteen licenses have been issued during the year, and the holders thereof make every endeavour to observe the law. Very few complaints have been received, and those were of a trifling nature. The returns show that a total of 2,791 engagements were made, the fees charged amounting to £741 3s. 9d., 2,714 workers paying £559 4s. 3d., and 854 employers paying £181 19s. 6d. in fees. It will thus be noticed that the workers were charged fees in very many instances where no fee was charged the employers. Shearers' Accommodation Act. A number of sheds were inspected during the year, and in most cases the accommodation provided was of a satisfactory nature. In some instances, however, alterations and improvements were suggested, and at once acted upon by the owners. In one instance notice was served to erect accommodation in accordance with the Act. Workers' Compensation Act. The amendment of 1911, providing that any agreement as to the settlement of a claim for compensation will not be legal unless approved by a Magistrate or an Inspector of Factories, will be greatly welcomed by workers, as will also the provision as to the payment of the cost of medical expenses up to £1. Many inquiries have been received from injured persons for advice, and every endeavour has been made to insure that the full compensation to which they are entitled under the Act should be paid. Workers' Dwellings Act. This Act has not been taken advantage of to any extent in this district, and no new workers' dwellings have been erected during the past year. A considerable amount of work has been occasioned in connection with the houses already erected at the Windle Settlement. These have been well occupied during the year,, and at present are all let to good tenants. They are nowbeing put into good repair. Drainage and hot-water installations are being made. Employment Bureaux. Women's Branch. —l have again to report that business in this branch has not been satisfactory, owing to the dearth of domestics. A separate report is submitted by the officer in charge, who, in addition to this work, acts as Inspector of Factories and Shops, and in this capacity has done good work. Men's Branch. —B32 men have been assisted to employment, made up as follows : Single men, 563; married men, 269; with a total of 956 dependants. The majority of these men were sent to labouring work, 564 to private employment, and 268 to Government works, principally railway-construction. I have again to express my thanks to the officers and members of the various local bodies for their assistance in this matter. Conclusion. In conclusion, I have to say that the work has been carried out with practically no friction w-hatever, the members of the staff doing their work conscientiously, and with the co-operation and consideration extended to the Department by employers and w-orkers, including the secretaries of the various trade organizations. I have, &c, W. Newton, Inspector of Factories. The Secretary of Labour and Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington.