3

h!—ii

There were 48 prosecutions under this Act. Four cases were dismissed, in 3of which it was held that, although assistants were employed after hours, they were not regular employees. It was, however, admitted that they were handling the goods and assisting to arrange the stock in the shop. In 40 cases convictions were recorded, with costs, against the defendants; the penalties amounted to £55 155., with £19 7s. costs. There were 33 cases heard..in the city and suburbs, and 15 cases in the country districts, in which Inspector's costs to the amount of £6 15s. were allowed. It is pleasing to report that the provisions of the Act have been well observed by shopkeepers generally. There is a strong feeling expressed by shopkeepers that there should be a uniform hour for closing all shops (exempted shops to close at a later hour if necessary) without inconveniencing the general public. This, it is claimed, would make the Act easier of interpretation by the parties. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The administration of the Act has caused a very large amount of work. The extension of awards to the country districts has occasioned a great deal of travelling by Inspectors throughout the Auckland Province—from Hokianga in the north to Lake Taupo in the south. In addition to Auckland and the suburbs, prosecutions for breaches of awards have been taken in the following towns : Dargaville, Thames, Hamilton, Whangarei, Tauranga, Opotiki, Whakatane, Rotorua, Cambridge, Warkworth, Te Awamutu, Pukekohe, and Taumarunui. Complaints to the number of 595 were received from various sources, but in a large number of these no breach was disclosed. One hundred and seventy-six breaches of a minor character which had been committed inadvertently, or which were first offences, were settled out of Court on paj'ment of back wages, a warning being given in each instance. The cases referred to the Magistrates' Court totalled 177, of which 33 were against employees. Convictions and penalties were obtained in 125 cases, 5 cases were dismissed, 8 were withdrawn, and 33 are waiting to be heard. Penalties amounting to £287 12s. were inflicted, with £39 16s. 7d. costs. Of the above cases, 94 were taken in Auckland City and suburbs and 83 in the country districts. In addition to the above, 6 cases were taken by trades-unions. In 4 cases penalties to the amount of £20 ss. were inflicted, with £8 Bs. costs, and 2 cases were withdrawn. Forty-five cases for breach of section 58 of the Industrial' Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, in failing to keep wages and overtime book, have been taken in the Magistrates' Courts —namely, 28 in Auckland City and suburbs, and 17 in the country districts. Conviction was obtained in every case, except one, which was withdrawn, and penalties amounting to £169 Bs. were imposed, with £24 3s. costs. Thirteen breaches were referred to the Arbitration Court; 6of these have been heard; and penalties amounting to £13 imposed; the other 7 cases are waiting to be heard. For a breach of section 3 of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1908, in taking part in a strike, proceedings were taken against the Waterside Workers' Union. The case was dismissed by the Arbitration Court, owing to failure to definitely prove concerted action by the Union. Proceedings were then taken in the Magistrates' Court against the secretary of the union and 24 individual members : of the cases 10 were dismissed and 9 were withdrawn. The secretary of the union was fined £20, with £8 Bs. costs; and in the remaining 5 cases convictions were obtained and penalties amounting to £9 were imposed, with £7 7s. Id. costs. Proceedings were also taken in the Arbitration Court against the Auckland Builders, Contractors, and General Labourers' Union for instigating and taking part in a strike, and a penalty of £60 was imposed, with £15 Is. costs. Arrears of Wages. —Arrears of wages, &c, amounting to £538 14s. 3d., have been collected and paid to workers concerned. Under-rate Workers' Permits. —Under-rate permits have been granted under awards to 35 persons in various trades. Servants' Registry Offices Act. There are 26 offices registered under this Act, and, owing to the careful inquiries instituted prior to issue of the licenses, very little trouble has been experienced. One license-holder was prosecuted for failing to keep proper records, and was fined £1, with 12s. costs. Workers' Compensation Act. A large number of inquiries were made in the course of the year by injured persons as to the compensation they were entitled to, and every care was taken to see that their interests were safeguarded. The amendment Act of 1911, providing that agreements as to compensation made between the injured workers and the employers are not valid unless approved by a Magistrate or an Inspector of Factories, has proved very beneficial to the claimants. In this district most of the cases were dealt with by the Magistrate. Workers' Dwellings Act. A large amount of work has been done in connection with the erection of 39 dwellings, which are now nearing completion, at Ellerslie. and Otahuhu. These homes are very popular with the workers, and are in great demand. Many applications have boon received regarding the opening-up of the adjoining sections. Barmaids' Registration. The Act of 1912, permitting further application for registration up to June, 1913, has resulted in a number of additional applications being made. Owing to the qualifying period