H.—ll.

The sawmilling trade has been very brisk during the year, full time having been worked. The brick and tile works have been fully employed. The lime-kilns have been fully employed; in fact, this year has been one of the most prosperous and busiest years this district has seen, and the prosperity still continues. Good prices have been obtained for all productions. It is estimated that fully £100,000 will find its way here for oats alone. Rabbits are being exported in large quantities. There has been a great output of timber from this district, especially during the first six months of the year, after which there was a lull; but just at present orders are coming in freely, especially for white-pine. There are no idle men. Any one able and willing to work can find employment. In fact, labour has been very scarce during the year ; especially during the harvest and threshing seasons labour was unobtainable. There has been no overtime worked here, but this is accounted for by there being no large factories, the only large establishment being the meat-works ; the others are only small factories. I have, &c, The Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington. H. P. Rasmussen, Inspector.

Eeports have also been received from Inspectors of Factories at Ashhurst, Akaroa, Alexandra South, Aratapu, Arrowtown, Amberley, Balclutha, Brunnerton, Coalgate, Clnifcon, Cromwell, Clive, Culverden, Collingwood, Cambridge, Denniston, Dannevirke, Dargaville, Eltham, Foxton, Feilding, Fairlie, Gore, Geraldine, Hawksbury, Hampden, Herbertville, Hikurangi, Helensville, Huntly, Havelock, Hastings, Hamilton, Hokitika, Inglewood, Kaikoura, Kihikihi, Kaitaia, Kaitangata, Kimbolton, Kurow, Little Eiver, Lumsden, Levin, Leeston, Lyell, Lawrence, Malvern, Mataura, Mangaweka, Milton, Marton, Methven, Moawhanga, Middlemarch, Mercer, Naseby, Ngapara, Ngaruawahia, Otahuhu, Onehunga, Opunake, Owaka, Otorohanga, Otaki, Outrani, Ohingaiti, Ormond, Oxford, Ongaruhe, Otautau, Ormondville, Pleasant Point, Pahiatua, Picton, Paeroa, Patea, Palmerston, Pembroke, Papakura, Queenstown, Eiverton, Rangiora, Roxburgh, Rotorua, Ross, Raglan, Reefton, Rawene, Rakaia, St. Bathan's, Southbridge, Te Puke, Temuka, Tauranga, Tolaga Bay, Tenui, Te Awamutu, Te Aroha,' Takaka, Upper Hutt, Waitahuna, Whangaroa, Waitara, Waimate, Waipukurau, Waipawa, Wairoa. These reports state that the various Acts have been well observed, employment has been plentiful, and that business has generally been good throughout the year.

Return showing Number of Cases dealt with by the Court of Arbitration, Names of Unions affected, and the Respective Places where such Cases were heard (as from the 22nd April, 1901). Disputes consisting of independent references ... ... ... ... 67 Separate hearings in different towns as shown in the annexed return ... ... 24 Total disputes ... ... ... ... ... 91 Cases of enforcement ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 58 Other matters ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 Workers'compensation cases ... ... .... ... ... ... 17 91 Total number of separate contested matters, including trade disputes, heard and determined by the Court in open Court since the 22nd April, 1901, that being the date when the present President first commenced work in the Arbitration Court ... .. ... ... ... ... ... ... 182 Note.—This return covers only the actual cases heard in open Court. A certain amount of business has also been done in the judge's Chambers, but this is of a formal nature.

Disputes.

Where heard. Bootmakers (for the colony) .. Christchurch. Butchers ... ... „ „ ... ... Dunedin. Boilermakers ... ... „ Curriers ... ... ... Christchurch. Carters and drivers ... ... Dunedin. Hairdressers ... ... Christchurch. Iron and brass moulders ... „ Millers' engine-drivers and mill employees ... ... Dunedin. Country printers ... ... Christchurch. Plasterers ... ... Dunedin. Tanners, fellmongers, and skinners ... ... ... Christchurch. iv—H. 11,

Where heard. Butchers (sitting to take evidence) ... ... ... Wellington. Lithographers and letterpressprinters ... ... Christchurch. Metal-workers' assistants ... Dunedin. Painters ... ... ... Christchurch. Slaughtermen (Canterbury) ... „ Typographical Union ... „ Builders' labourers ... ... Dunedin. Coachbuilders ... ... „ „ ... ... Christchurch. Coal-miners ... ... Alexandra. Hosiery workers . ... Dunedin. Engine-drivers ... ... Kaitangaia.

XXV