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Servants' Registry Offices. There are five servants' registry offices, and all are well conducted. Employment Bureau. The Department has received 394 applications for employment, and placed 132 during the period. The borough drainage-works have found work for a good many, and the County Councils have had a large number employed on road contracts. These works are still in progress, and the laying of the tramway will be started in a few days. The Harbour Board has let a contract for harbour-improvements, and the work is just starting so that employment for labouring men will be plentiful for some time to come. There has been, and is still, a shortage of men in the building trade and females in the tailoring trade. Unemployment has been practically unknown during the year, and the future is exceedingly promising. Conclusion. During the year I have visited Waipiro Bay, Tokomaru Bay, and Tolaga Bay, and found that the various Acts affecting labour and the awards under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act are generally well observed. I desire to express my thanks to the police officers in these places for the assistance given, and also to the officers of the different departments with whom I have been brought in contact in the prosecution of my duties. I have, &c, W. H. Westbrooke, Inspector of Factories. The Secretary of Labour and Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington.

NAPIER. "Sir, — Department of Labour, Napier, 18th April, 1912. I have pleasure in presenting my annual report on the various matters which have required the attention of this branch of the Department for the year ending 31st March, 1912. In making a retrospect of the general conditions which have prevailed throughout the year it is gratifying to be able to record that it has been one of continual employment and satisfactory business transactions. I will epitomize the various trades, so as to show the actual position at a glance. The building trades have been exceptionally busy. Bricklayers have had a good year, and practically no lost time. Carpenters have also been in great demand right throughout the year. Painters have had a very fair year, but at times there were men seeking work. Plasterers have been kept fairly busy, and there have not been many men seeking work. The plumbing trt.de has been busy practically from the beginning of the year, and there is every indication that it will continue. Brickmaking was dull at the commencement of the year, but improved towards the middle of the year, and continued busy until the close. The lime-burning is an industry which is fast improving its position, and the benefits of using the Hawke's Bay " Roach " lime for tanning and agricultural operations are becoming better known, and the employment of those engaged therein is improving. Concrete-block making is another comparatively young industry which has found employment for a good number of men. In the woodworking trades cabinetmaking has kept about normal. At some periods there have been men seeking employment, and at others employers were in need of men. Sash and door factories have been busy right throughout the year, and the present active state of the building trades is a good indication that the factories will continue active. Saw-milling : The town mills have had an exceptionally good year, but there are one or two of the country mills which are not in such a flourishing state, and when one travels the roads to these mills the difficulties in the way of milling are appreciated to the full. The engineering trades have kept well up to the average, but there appears to be room for improvement in several instances, and trade is not so buoyant as to entice artisans to the district. The cycle and motor trades have reported good business, which, of necessity, fluctuates during the various seasons. Clothing trades : The tailoring trades have had an exceptionally good year, and the limit of permits was reached in many cases before the rush of Christmas work was over, and no less than 5,483 hours were worked by 100 persons (females and boys). Many employers w-ere compelled to give the small jobs to males, so as to complete their orders. Dressmaking has been busy throughout the year, and this trade has, in common with many other trades, felt the shortage of female labour. Woollen-milling has had a good year, but the labour available was able to cope with the orders in hand, and thus in a great measure obviated the necessity of overtime. Hat and cap manufacturing finds employment for a good number of employees; this is an industry as yet in its infancy, but the future is hopeful. Umbrella-making has also felt the shortage of female labour.

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