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Servants' Registry Office Act. There is only one office in this district, and this is well conducted. Shearers' Accommodation Act. There are six shearing-sheds in the district. The accommodation in all cases is satisfactory ;in some of the sheds visited certain improvements had been made as requested at an earlier date. I found everything clean, with plenty of ventilation and ample sleeping-accommodation. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. This Act is working fairly well, and the amount of friction existing is very small considering the number of persons affected in the district by the various awards. During the year 12 applications were made for enforcement of award, and convictions with penalties were obtained in 6 cases. One was dismissed and 5 withdrawn. There were also 2 cases settled by the Department out of Court, in which wages to the amount of £12 were recovered on behalf of workers. In conclusion, I have to thank the various persons with whom my duty has brought me in contact for the consideration and courtesy shown me while carrying out my duties. I have, &c, S. Tyson, B. Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector, Wellington. Inspector of Factories.

GREYMOUTH. Sir, — Department of Labour, Greymouth, 17th April, 1906. I have the honour to submit for your information my annual report on the working of this branch of the Department for the year ending the 31st March, 1906. The year just closed has been one of steady progress in all industries, notably so in our two principal industries —coal and timber—the output of each having increased considerably on that of last year. The demand for timber is increasing rapidly, and the outlook for the ensuing year is very encouraging and hopeful. The building trades were kept fairly busy during the year and present appearances indicate brisker times ahead, there being quite a boom in the building line just now. The town has reached its rebuilding stage, and the wooden walls of old Greymouth are being pulled down to be replaced by the more durable and substantial brick, a sure proof of the confidence its citizens have in its progress and permanency. Factories Act. The Act has worked smoothly and so satisfactorily during the year that no prosecutions were found necessary to enforce its observance. Employers generally approve of the measure, and are willing to comply with its provisions, and cordially respond to any advice or instructions given towards bettering the conditions of their factories or employees. There were no serious complaints received from the workers during the period. There were 118 factories registered during the year, employing 538 males and 143 females : total, 681 persons. Overtime. Overtime warrants were issued for 70 males who worked 3,546 hours, and 61 females, who worked 1,942 hours ; total number of hours worked, 5,488. - The amount of overtime worked in the engineering trades shows that business was much better than in the year previous. Permits. There were 17 permits issued for young persons—lo boys and 7 girls. Of the boys, 1 had passed the Fourth Standard, 3 the Fifth, 5 the Sixth, and 1 the Seventh. Of the girls, 1 had passed the Fourth, 1 the Fifth, 4 the Sixth, and 1 the Seventh. Accidents. Two accidents were inquired into during the year. Sanitation. Many improvements have been made since the date of last annual report, but much more remains to be done. Where new buildings have been erected and old ones renovated, patent water-closets have been adopted instead of the old pan system. Wherever drainage is available, all owners of business premises especially, and householders in general, should be compelled to provide, the same class of necessary accommodation. Shops and Offices Act. This Act is working fairly well; nevertheless, all shopkeepers are not satisfied with it; many are in favour of a uniform hour being fixed for closing all shops but those in the excepted trades, the hour not to be later than 7 p.m. on all days except Saturday, when the hour for closing might be extended to 10 p.m., to close punctually, whether there are assistants employed or not. There was one prosecution during the year for failing to close on the statutory closing-day, for which offence a fine of 10s. and costs was imposed.