H.-ll

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Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. — Eleven eases were taken to the Magistrates' Court. Workers' Dwellings Act. —Eight dwellings are now well in hand, and should be in the possession of their purchaseis at an early date. INVERCARGILL., The Inspector in Charge (Mr. G, 11. Lightfoot) reports: — General.- —Although the war has been in progress for some eight months, there has been no serious depression in trade. This is probably accounted for by the fact that Southland has had a very considerable rainfall, which proved very beneficial to crops and live-stock. The sewage and other town improvement works have found employment for a considerable number of workers during the greater portion of the year. The building trades have had a very good year. Factories Act. —33B factories were registered. Twenty-five certificates of fitness to work in factories were issued to thirteen boys and twelve girls. Overtime warrants were issued for 225 employees (boys under sixteen and females) to work 1,850 hours. Eighteen accidents were reported : none was very serious. No prosecutions have been taken, although a good number of warnings have been given. When the drainage scheme is completed a great improvement in the sanitation of local factories will lie effected. Shops and Offices Act. —There are 357 shops. Overtime totalling 2,578 hours was worked. Two informations were laid under this Act, and numerous warnings have been given to shopkeepers. .Industrial Conciliation and, Arbitration Act, and Awards, Ac, thereunder. —A large number of complaints have been investigated, and in three cases proceedings were taken. Servants'' Registry-office. —There are six offices registered. All are well conducted. Men's Employment Branch. —The number of men seeking employment has been somewhat small. Workers' Dwellings.- —There arc sixteen workers' dwellings erected in this town, all of which are satisfactorily occupied.

EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS OF INSPECTORS OF SCAFFOLDING. A.UOKLAND. Mr. 11. Greshani reports:— Visits have been made to scaffolding in Hamilton, Morriiisville, Botorua, To Awamutu, Thames, Te Aroha, and Otorohanga. 31!) notices were received and 710 visits of inspections were made. On a few occasions it was found necessary to condemn some gear, such as ladders, ropes, poles, and planks. Thirty-three accidents were reported. One proved fatal. Proceedings were taken against four employers for failing to send notice of intention to erect scaffolding exceeding 16 ft. high. A penalty was imposed in each case. In twenty-two other instances letters of warnings were sent. Napibh and Gisborne. Mr. A. Donald reports:— The buildings that are now being erected show great improvements. In the erection of scaffolding every provision is made for the protection of the public as well as the worker. Sixtysix notices of intention to erect scaffolding were received, and in all cases inspections were made. Visits have been made at Gisborne, Wairoa, Hastings, Waipawa. Waipukurau. Orniondville, and Dannevirke. Eighteen accidents were reported, but all were slight and caused from no fault of the scaffolds. There has been no occasion to take proceedings for breaches. Wellington, Mr. R. A. Bolland reports: — The building trades have had a normal year. There were 321 notices received, and all the country towns concerned were visited and the various scaffoldings inspected. Eleven accidents were reported, but none were serious. Only two prosecutions were laid, but in many instances defects in gear were remedied at my request. Nelson and Blenheim. .Mr. S. Tyson reports:— There is a decided improvement in the class of architecture on the larger buildings being erected in the various towns, and fifty notices to erect scaffolding have been received. Fault, may be found with a number of builders who leave their ladders out in all kinds of weather, until they become absolutely unsafe. I have condemned twenty ladders as unfit, for use. Many of the employees also show a disregard for the class of ladder in use, the worst offenders being carpenters who insist on making temporary ladders on the job ; these ladders are then put to uses for which they are totally Unfit. No accident of a serious nature has taken place. Visits of inspection have been paid to Picton, Blenheim. Havelock. and Motueka.