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Hi—ll

Overtime permits were granted to 24 employers, allowing 63 males and 40 females to work 2,506 hours, for which overtime rates were paid.. This Act has worked fairly smoothly. Notwithstanding this, a few breaches occurred, causing it necessary to take 8 prosecutions against occupiers, and fines and costs Were inflicted in 6 cases; in the other 2 cases the informations were withdrawn, one shopkeeper having left the Dominion. The condition of the shops is very satisfactory, several premises having been built, and others renovated on up-to-date lines. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The work in connection with this Act has been considerably lighter during the year, and the various awards may be said to be working smoothly throughout the district. Employers in all cases_ are becoming more conversant with the requirements of the awaids under which, they have to work ; consequently there are fewer breaches. Six prosecutions for breaches of the Act and awards by employers were taken before the S.M., and a fine and costs was inflicted in each case. Servants' Registry Offices Act. There are now 3 licensed servants' registry offices conducting business in this district. I have on several occasions made inquiries and inspection, and cannot report otherwise than in favourable terms of the licensees. I have come into contact with employees from time to time who have obtained situations through each of these offices, and found they have been generally informed of the employment with fairness, and charged a r with regulated schedule. Shearers' Accommodation Act. The accommodation for shearers throughout this district is being improved gradually, although there are still some stations where the accommodation cannot be classed as satisfactory. Steps are being taken to see that improvements as recommended are carried out by station-holders. Twenty stations were inspected, covering'jprincipalry those where improvements had been ordered the previous year. Labour. . During the latter part of this season unskilled labour has been more in demand than for the corresponding period last year; consequently there has not been the same number of men calling at this office in search of employment. It is pleasant to note that agricultural operations are being more extensively carried on throughout]this district than previously, and which will necessitate more employment for good farm hands. During the year 130 men to employment from this office, principally to private work. Conclusion. During the year various matters in connection with factories, shops, and other Acts have required considerable attention. Visits on frequent occasions have been made to other parts of this district — viz., Martinborough, Featherston, Greytown, Carterton, Eketahuna, and Pahiatua, on business connected with awards, &c. From the employers and employees and also the local Inspectors —Police officers —with whom I have come in contact I have courtesy and assistance. I have, &c, J. Georgeson, The Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington. Inspector of Factories. NELSON. S IB) Department of Labour, Nelson, 12th April, 1910. I have the honour to submit, for your consideration, my report on the work of the Department in the Nelson district for the year ending the 31st March, 1910. General. Notwithstanding the depression in the wool and produce market during the early part of the year, the period just ended has been, on the whole, one of general prosperity throughout the district. Wholesale and retail houses report that, although there was a stringency in the money-market in the early part of the year, business for the last nine months has been exceptionally good, and the year's turnover is quite equal to, if not better than, any previous year.^ There has also been a general expansion in trade in the manufacturing industries. f-fj trade in all branches has been quite up to the standard of previous years. A fair number of new buildings have been erected in and around the city. Employees in this branch of industry have lost very little time, whilst employers state that, although competition has been somewhat keen in the trade, fair prices have been obtained for work done. Sawmills and sash-and-door factories have experienced fairly normal business throughout the year, and men employed in this branch of industry have lost very little time,

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