XXXII

H.—ll

A srood deal of attention is still required to see that the closing-hours are strictly observed, as some people will leave their shopping till the last minute. The shop-assistants, of course, appreciate the early closing, and some of them consider it is the best piece of labour legislation on the statute-book. There is not a great deal of overtime work in retail shops : permits weie issued for sixty-five persons to work 1,097 hours. Four charges were laid against a fruiterer and confectioner for failing to give the weekly half-holiday to two females, and also for employing them more than fifty-two hours in the week. I also laid charged against two hawkers for selling goods on the half-holiday. Convictions were obtained on each charge. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. This Act has considerably increased the work of the office. I find that industries covered by industrial awards and agreements, in which the unionists are in the minority, require the greatest amounb of attention, and it is in those industries I find the most breaches committed. I laid eighteen charges against fourteen persons, one charge was withdrawn, back wages and exexpenses being paid ; two charges were dismissed ; penalties amounting to £42 10s., and costs £23 6s. 4d., were imposed in the other fifteen cases. Servants' Registry Offices Act. There are eight registry offices here; they appear bo be in very good hands, as I have not had a justifiable complaint about any of them during the year. I have, &c, L. D. Browett, Inspector of Factories. Edward Tregear, Esq., Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington.

Reports have also been received from the Inspectors of Factories at : Akaroa, Alexandra, Amberley, Aratapu, Arrowtown, Brunnerton, Cambridge, Cheviot, Clive, Clinton, Coalgate, Collingwood, Cromwell, Culverden, Dannevirke, Denniston, Fairlie, Featherston, Greytown North, Gore, Geraldine, Havelock, Hampden, Hastings, Hawkesbury, Hikurangi, Hokitika, Hunterville, Huntly, Inglewood, Kihikihi, Kaitaia. Kaitangata, Karangahake, Kimbolton, Kumara, Leeston, Levin, Lincoln, Lumsden, Mercury, Mosgiel, Moawhango, Martinborough, Methvcn, Milton, Mangaweka, Manaia, Mercer, Middlemarch, Naseby, Ngapara, Okarito, Ongarue, Ormondville, Otautau, Otahuhu, Otaki, Oiorohanga, Outram, Paeroa, Pahiatua, Palmerston South, Patea, Papakura, Pembroke, Pleasant Point, Porongahau, Quecnstown, Rawene, Riverton, Rongotea, Ross, Rotorua, Reefton. Rakaia, Roxburgh, Shannon, Southbridge, St. Bathan's, Stratford, Tapanui, Tauranga, Te Karaka, Te Nui, Te Puke, Tologa Bay, Upper Hutt, Waikino, Waipu, Waitahuna, Waitotara, Wairoa, Westport, Whangaroa, Winton. These reports show that as a whole the Labour Acts are working satisfactorily in the various districts, and that employment has been plentiful.