H.—ll

XXXIV

It was necessary to take proceedings against three employers under the Act for failing to keep wages and overtime books in accordance with section 58. Judgments in favour of the Department was obtained in each case, and the total penalties imposed under the Act was £1 15s. Permits to Under-rate Workers. —The provision in the Amendment Act giving power to Inspectors to issue permits to under-rate workers has not given rise to any difficulty, as in nearly every instance the rate fixed has been agreed upon by the parties. Altogether 31 under-rate workers' permits have been issued by me, in the following trades : Bricklayers, 3 ; furniture trade, 1 ; boot trade, 19 ; general labourers, 1 ; cycle trade, 3 ; aerated waters, 1 ; tailoresses and pressers, 1 ; typographical, 1 ; and tailoring trade, 1. These numbers do not include permits issued by the various unions. Enforcements. —The following is a tabulated statement showing the number of cases of enforcements taken before the Court, with particulars of the offences : — Against employers — Failing to give preference of employment to unionists . . 17 Failing to pay award rates .. .. .. .. 19 Failing to keep a time-book .. .. .. .. .. 21 Failing to indenture apprentices . . . . . . . . . . 2 Paying less than rate provided by under-rate worker's permit . . 1 Employing boy under eighteen years of age to drive . . . . 2 Employing a driver in bakehouse. . . . .. .. . . 1 Employing more than proportion of boys to journeymen . . . . 3 Employing assistants later than prescribed time . . . . . . 1 Failing to engage labour in specified place . . . . . . . . 2 Making deductions from female apprentices' wages . . . . . . 2 Failing to pay overtime rates . . .. .. . . . . 5 Boarding employees without obtaining permission from union . . 5 Failing to pay wages weekly .. . . . . . . . . 1 — 82 Against workers — Accepting less than the minimum wage .. . . . . . . 3 Working later than the prescribed time . . . . . . . . 1 Absenting himself without leave . . .. . . . . .. 1 Leaving employer without giving a week's notice . . .. . . 1 — 6 88 Servants' Registry Offices Act. Registry-office keepers have fallen into line in regard to the new scale of fees, and, with the exception of several complaints of servants being sent to employment into the country and rejected by employers, the law has been well observed. In the cases referred to the blame was really attachable to the employers, who had first applied to a registry office for a servant, had subsequently engaged some one else, and had failed to notify the registry-office keeper. In all cases the fees charged were returned to the servant, and in some cases the railway-fares and other expenses were refunded by the employer. During the year 7 licenses were issued and 7 renewed. Workers' Dwellings Act. Very little work has been done by this Department under the above Act. The completion of the concrete cottages at Addington during the early part of the year, and the subsequent handing-over of same to the Lands Department for disposal, removed all responsibilities from officers of this Department. Apparently the cottages are giving satisfaction, as the houses have been kept fully occupied. Shearers' and Agricultural Labourers' Accommodation Act. A considerable amount of work was entailed in inspection of accommodation provided for farm workers in the various outlying districts ; and, as a result of complaints received, visits of inspection were made to the following districts : Little River, Southbridge, Lincoln, Doyleston, Darfield, Methven, and Rakaia. The complaints were generally as to the want of ventilation, insanitation, proximity to stables or pig-styes, broken windows, and dirty sleeping-compartments. In many of the cases the employees themselves were to blame for their uncleanly habits, and in every other case the recommendations of the Inspector were carried out. Several, of the large sheep-stations were inspected at shearing-time or during the year, and improvements previously ordered were generally effected. Altogether the Act has proved a boon to the worker, and does not appear to be resented by the employer, as was generally predicted. Scaffolding Inspection Act. This Act is working well, and the work of inspection has grown considerably since the inception of the Act. A number of the largest contractors seem to rely solely on the Inspector to see that scaffolding is erected properly and that no danger exists to those working below. The small number of accidents that have happened on buildings speaks well for the careful inspection made. A separate detailed report of the work done has been furnished by the Inspector for the district (Mr. Stringer).