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CHEISTCHUECH. SlK >~ . Department of Labour, Christchurch, 31st March, 1903. 1 have the honour to submit a report of the work of this branch of the Department for the year now closed. General. The period under review has been one of gradual and satisfactory progress in nearly all branches and departments of the skilled trades. The engineering and iron trades have steadily progressed in almost every line during the year Ihe revival in local manufactures has increased beyond the expectation of the most sanguine " and the present prospects are as satisfactory. The building trades have had a really good year. There has been more than sufficient employment tor first-class tradesmen in every branch. At times it has been difficult to obtain efficient plasterers to meet the demands of the trade. Plumbers and gasfitters have been kept steadily employed through the year, and at present there is no appreciable diminution of activity in these trades. ■' The furniture trades are still very busy. There is no lack of employment for thoroughly reliable and competent workmen, and the present outlook is such as to inspire confidence. The boot and shoe trades are a little more reassuring. The trade has been somewhat spasmodic in consequence of the irregular seasons, yet the volume of local-manufactured goods shows a slight improvement on last year's output; still, there is ample room for further improvement in this industry. The saddlery and harness trades have been in a very unsatisfactory condition. All through the year employment has been intermittent. The manufacturers find it very difficult to compete with imported saddles and harness. Tanneries, fellmongeries, and wool-scouring works have had a fairly good year's work Duo allowance has always to be made for broken time in consequence of the "irregular and intermittent nature of these trades. The tailoring, clothing, and dressmaking trades have had all they could do to overtake the demands made upon them. A considerable amount of overtime has been worked, as may be seen from my overtime returns, and there seems every prospect of this activity continuing. The woollenmills have been and still are quite busy. I understand that new and up-to-date machinery is shortly to be placed m the mills, which will materially increase the output, and so enable them to meet the increased demands of the trade. Unskilled Labour. The " unemployed " difficulty has been a comparatively easy problem this year. The Midland Waipara-Cheviot, Otago Central, and North Island Main Trunk railway-works have practically absorbed all the unemployed, both married and single. There has been quite an influx of labour from Melbourne and Sydney, principally single men Many of these we have assisted by directing them to places in the country where'employment could be found ; others we have sent to Government co-operative works, where the majority save every satisfaction. ' y b Five hundred and nineteen men, with 916 persons depending upon them, have been sent to employment through this office during the year—namely, 246 married and 273 single. Factories Act. This Act is now working remarkably well. There was some little difficulty at the be"innin« in getting owners and occupiers to understand and carry out the new provisions of the°Act in regard to hours of work for women and young persons, and the more stringent sanitary provisions I am much indebted to the Medical Officer of Health for the very valuable service he has rendered to this branch of the Department. By his painstaking diligence and professional skill he has minimised the possible spreading of contagious diseases in some of the workrooms of the district. In cases where it has been necessary to fumigate and disinfect workrooms this has been done under his personal supervision. By arrangement with the Health Officer persons afflicted with scarlatina or fever must now obtain, in addition to the medical certificate, a certificate from the Health Officer certifying that their home has been satisfactorily disinfected before returning to work. 8 This year 988 factories have been registered in the district, employing 10 120 hands—namely 7,17 T 2,94 , 8 females ' 1 9 21 women and y oun g persons under sixteen years of have worked 44,652 hours overtime ; 719 males over sixteen years of age have worked 29 090°homV overtime. '. Three hundred and seventy-three certificates have been issued to young persons under sixteen years of age—namely, 155 males and 218 females. Eighty-four accidents have been reported during the year, none of which have been fatal the most serious being that of a boy who got his arm badly broken in two places through being drawn round a driving-shaft. 8 Shops and Shop-assistants Acts. These Acts are far too complex to be easily administered. I think in fairness to the shon keepers who are large employers of labour there ought to be one day only in each week when all shops should close. The sections which apply to banks, offices, Ac., should be more definite so as to make it possible to enforce the law. The half-holiday is as much appreciated by employers as by their assistants. There have been two prosecutions under the Act. Permits were given to work overtime to 106 persons, who worked 689 hours Of these 5 were males, who worked 77 hours; and 101 females, who worked 612 hours.

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