H.—ll.

GISBORNE. Sir, — Department of Labour, Gisboriie, 2nd April, 1906. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the working of the Department in this district for the year ending the 31st March, 1906. Factories Act. During the year 134 factories have been registered, an increase of twenty-seven on the preceding year, employing 694 males and 97 females and boys under sixteen years of age. Thirteen permits were granted to young persons under the age of sixteen years. A fair amount of overtime has been worked in the district, amounting in all to 3,632 hours ; 29 males worked 2,031 hours, and 75 females 1,601 hours. I am happy to state that, although forty-one accidents have been reported and inquired into by me, no loss of life has occurred. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. I am glad to say that, although there are six awards in this district — i.e., wharf labourers, freezing employees, carpenters, painters, saddlers, and tailors—no serious breaches of the various awards have been reported to me, or have come under my notice, the relations between employer and employee being cordial. " The Servants' Registry Offices Act, 1895." Four offices are working under this Act, and are giving the utmost satisfaction to both employer and employee. The license-holders are persons of good repute and always willing to carry out the provisions of the Act. Shops and Offices Act. This Act has worked well, and I have had no cause of complaint against any person affected by it. All tradesmen in this town close punctually when required. The district has progressed rapidly and, although there has been no " boom," property has considerably advanced in value. There has been plenty of work available to all requiring it, and in some trades men could not be obtained. Taken altogether, this district must be reckoned as one of the most progressive in the country. I have, &c, L. P. Bullen, Inspector. Edward Trcgear, Esq., Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington.

NAPIER. Sir, — Department of Labour, Napier, 10th April, 19d6. I have the honour to present to you my report for the year ending the 31st March, 1906. Factories Act. There were 164 factories registered during the year, an increase of eight on the previous year, employing 16 males and 21 females under sixteen years of age, and 841 males and 254 females over that age, making a total of 1,132 employees, an increase of 16 workers. Certificates of fitness to work in factories have been granted to 11 males and 16 females under sixteen years of age. Overtime warrants have been issued to 17 workrooms for 142 females and boys to work 2,118 hours. Adult males, principally engineers and tailors, have worked 8,304 hours. The total hours worked is 10,422. Accidents : Three accidents have been reported during the year, two of which were severe. There were no prosecutions. Shops and Offices Act. This Act is working smoothly, and very little trouble has been given. There are 775 shops in the town and suburbs the greater number of which have had a prosperous year. Eighty-six males worked 1,029 hours, and 70 females 396 hours overtime. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. There were 41 cases before the Court —21 against employers and 20 against employees, the latter in all cases for working for less than the minimum wage prescribed in awards. Penalties were imposed in thirty-nine cases. In one case —against an employee —a conviction only was recorded, and the remaining case, also against an employee, was dismissed. Servants' Registry Offices Act. There are two registry offices licensed both of which are well conducted.

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