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that the interest, &c, would be too heavy a charge upon his finances; and, although this left 10 applicants in all, there were not 6 applications in at the same time, and whilst waiting to make up the required 6, some of the others withdrew, consequently the benefits of this Act have not been felt in Napier. There is a block of Crown land situated at Westshore, in the near vicinity of the proposed Napier-Gisborne Railway, surveyed by the Lands Department for use under the Act. A word of thanks is due to Mr. C. R. Pollen, Commissioner of Crown Lands, for the trouble he has taken in preparing plans, &c, for the use of this Department. Employment Bureau. The advantages to be derived by employers and employees are becoming more widely known, and, in consequence, more applications are being received from both parties. During the year 87 persons were assisted to employment, being 73 single men and 14 married with 52 dependants. There is every possibility during the coming year of the Department being able to place a large number of persons in employment, due mainly to the commencement of the Napier-Gisborne railway-works and the utilizing of Lake Waikaremoana for electric-generating purposes. The future of the district as the means of absorbing surplus labour is bright The value of building permits issued in the Borough of Napier during the period aggregated £89,012, and the various portions of the Hawke's Bay District have had an equally prosperous year. Conclusion. During the year I have had an opportunity to visit the following portions of my district : Dannevirke, Ormondville, Otane, Ongaonga, Waipukurau, Waipaw-a, Porangahau, Waimarama, Te Aute, Wairoa, Puketitiri, Hastings, Tikokino; and it is pleasing to be able to report that, w-ith but few exceptions, the various enactments are working with entire satisfaction, and is evidence that the various local Inspectors devote considerable attention to the work in their respective districts. I am, &c, R. T. Bailey, Inspector ol Factories. The Secretary of Labour and Chief Inspector of Factories, Wellington.

NEW PLYMOUTH. Sir, — Department of Labour, New Plymouth, 29th April, 1912. I have the honour to submit for your consideration the annual report of this office for the year ending 31st March, 1912. General . The year has been one of steady progress, and, on the whole, manufacturers and retailers have little cause for complaint at the amount of business done. It is generally acknowledged that from a business point of view the year compares very favourably with any previous year in the history of the district. Good progress has been made in connection with harbour-construction work, and in the near future it will be possible to berth large cargo-steamers at the wharf. The greater New Plymouth scheme, by which it is hoped the outlying town districts will become part of the borough, with a view to united action in connection with municipal works, electric trams, light, drainage, &c, is nearing completion, and within the next few months a United New Plymouth, consisting of New Plymouth, Fitzroy, Vogeltown, Westown, St. Aubyn, and Moturoa, is assured. The Council has decided that immediately the scheme is completed steps will be taken in connection with the installation of the electric-tram service. Some substantial buildings, in addition to a large number of residences, have been erected during the year. The building trades have had a very successful year, and there has been sufficient work to keep all hands constantly employed. The butter and cheese factories have also had a very successful season. The prices obtained for both butter and cheese have been extremely good, particularly cheese; many butter-factories are seriously considering the advisability of superseding butter with cheese, or combining the manufacture of both products in the one factory. The latter arrangement, however, does not meet with the approval of practical men. ~ The killing, freezing, and preserving works have had a very satisfactory season indeed, the supply of sheep and lambs being much in excess of previous years. There is every prospect of a Taranaki record being established in quantity of output of mutton and lamb this season. The dressmaking, millinery, and tailoring trades have had a very good year, particularly in order and ladies' tailoring lines, while the bootmaking, coachbuilding, engineering, plumbing, gasfitting, and cycle engineering trades have had a fair year. The motor engineering, cabinetmaking, and upholstering trades show advance on previous years, both lines having continued very busy right through the year. Great progress has been made in these trades during the last few years. The two outstanding features from the point of view of industrial progress during the year is the extremely satisfactory development in the matter of petroleum-production, and the construction of a building and plant at Moturoa with a view to making a thorough and