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Factories Act. During the year 174 factories have been registered (an increase of 34 on the previous year), employing 634 males and 201 females. This Act continues to give satisfaction to both employers and employees, and there seems to be a generalde sire on the part of the employer to comply with its requirements. The few breaches which have occurred have been committed in ignorance, and a caution has always had the desired effect. There have been no prosecutions during the year. Shops and Shop-assistants Act. This Act also continues to give general satisfaction here, and no difficulty has been experienced in carrying out its provisions. I have had to serve notices on a few shopkeepers re sanitary arrangements, but in each case defects were at once remedied. I have had no occasion to prosecute any shopkeeper during the year. lie the half-holiday : A feeling exists here, principally among employees, but also among a large number of employers, that Saturday would be a better day for the closing of shops, and also that Saturday should be appointed a universal closing-day throughout the colony. Shbahbks' Accommodation Act. There are only three shearing-sheds in this district, and in each case the accommodation provided for shearers is satisfactory. Sbbvants' Registey Offices Act. There are no offices under this Act in this district. Labour, During the year 79 men registered their names for employment. Forty-eight were sent to the Tadmor Section of the Midland Railway; the remainder either found employment themselves or were sent by the Department to private employment. There are at present no unemployed here, and any man really wanting work can easily obtain same. I have, &c, C. E. Aldeidge, Inspector of Factories. E. Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington. WESTPOET. Sic, — Police-station, Westport, Bth April, 1903. I have the honour to submit my report on the working of the various Acts under control of your Department in this district during the past year. Factories. ' During the past year 44 factories were registered under this Act, giving employment to 192 persons —148 males and 44 females —an increase of 7 factories and 38 persons. Overtime permits were granted to 19 persons —3 males and 16 females. The number of hours worked was 642 —132 males and 510 females. The limit allowed by the Act has not been exceeded. Overtime : The number of employees at dressmaking was 9, and at tailoring 10. No permits nave been issued to young persons. The Act is working very satisfactorily. No complaints from employers or employees. The working-hours and half-holidays are observed. No accidents have occurred or prosecutions during the year. Shops and Shop-assistants Act. This Act is working very well. No complaints have been received during the year. The halfholiday is strictly observed. No overtime permits have been applied for, and no prosecutions have taken place during the year. Labour. Sixty men applied for work during the last year ; 47 got employment. The average wages are —Carpenters, 12s. ; bricklayers, 125.; blacksmiths, 10s. to 12s. ; butchers, 10s. ; engineers, 11s. to 12s. ; miners, 10s. to 15s. ; painters, 10s. to 125.; bakers, 10s. ; labourers, 7s. to 9s. With respect to the working of the Acts referred to above, there is no difficulty in enforcing them, as the factory-owners, shopkeepers, &c, now understand them. I have, &c, Francis Cullen, Inspector of Factories. E. Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington.

HOKITIKA. Sic,— Police-station, Hokitika, 9th April, 1903. I beg to forward my annual report. I have only recently taken charge in Hokitika, but, judging from the manner in which the various Acts relating to factories, shops, &c, have been obeyed since my arrival and the fact that my predecessor has left no complaint on record, I feel justified in stating that the provisions of the Acts are well adhered to.

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