LVII

H.—ll

EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR.

HAMILTON. Employment has been fairly plentiful even in the slack times, and at present any man anxious for work can get it in the district. The building trade is going ahead again ; many new buildings are going up in various parts of the town and at Frankton. I am of opinion that this year will be a prosperous one for all classes.

HAWERA. There were 95 factories registered, employing 335 males and 69 females, as against 101 factories registered the previous year, employing 338 males and 69 females. Eighty-two shops were registered, as against 81 the previous year. The various Acts have been working satisfactorily. The building trade has been steady during the past year. Dairying has been in a flourishing state. A great number of milking-machines have been installed since last season, and are coming into general use. Milkers have been scarce, and as much as £2 2s. and keep per week has been given. There has not been much demand for unskilled labour. Harvest hands have been getting Is. 6d. and Is. 9d. per hour. The district generally has been in a flourishing state, and a number of new settlers have arrived from South Island during the year.

TAIHAPE. I took over the duties on the 10th August, 1909, from Mr. Bailey when your permanent office was closed. No friction has occurred in the working of the various Acts, and I have had no difficulty in dealing with factory and shop owners. During the year all classes of trades have been good, r and a few men have been assisted in finding employment. Seventy-four factories and 82 shops were registered ; this includes Taihape, Utiku, Mataroa, and Moawhanga. <■.'■ Two servants' registry offices are at Taihape.l|l 'expect a few additional factories and shops will be registered during the coming year. Taihape is very progressive, considering that fifteen years ago where the town now stands there was nothing but bush. With the splendid land in this district, which is very suitable for dairying, and for sheep and cattle, and on account of its central position on the Main Trunk line, Taihape should develop into the best town between Marton and Te Kuiti. About £30,000 is being expended in the town shortly by the Borough Council in sewerage, water, and lighting. A new hospital is in course of erection, and a town hall is to be built; these additions will no doubt attract intending settlers and others to the place, and give employment to a number of workers. In conclusion, I may add that the sawmilling industry is gradually closing about Taihape, as the bush is being cut out. Mill-owners are finding their way further north towards the Waimarino Forest, where there is a large area of timber.

FEILDING. For the year ending 1909-10 there were registered in. the Feilding district 96 factories and 84 shops. With regard to the prospects for labour during the coming winter, there is no inducement for the introduction of outside labour, for the reason that there are no public works in progress, little or no bushfelling contracts let, and only two small sawmills at work in the district. This being chiefly a dairying district, those employed in the busy dairying season will in the winter time be employed in fencing, stumping, and other necessary works in connection with the improvement of farms. The prospects locally for the coming winter are good. With regard to the labour and industrial laws, they are, so far as my district is concerned, readily obeyed, and all concerned are at all times willing to fall in with any suggestion that may be made for the welfare and comfort of the workers.

viii—H. 11.