H.—ll

34

Shearers' and Agricultural Labourers' Accommodation Act : During the year nearly all the sheds in this district have been visited, and the accommodation is now very much superior to that provided in the past. Unskilled labour : The labour-market in this district has been in a very satisfactory condition during the past year and work has been plentiful. HASTINGS. A large volume of trade has been transacted here during the year, and there has been a fair demand, for skilled labour, especially in the building and joinery trades. The sewerage scheme has given employment to a large number of men, but it is now nearing completion. The district, taken as a whole, is in a very prosperous condition, there being practically no unemployed. Building licenses of a total value of £4,362 have been granted during the year. DANNEVIRKE. The year has been a fairly prosperous one for this district, notwithstanding the fact that sheep-farmers sustained considerable loss through the slaughtermen's strike. Owing to the prolonged spell of dry weather experienced about that time grass was scarce, and sheep could not be kept in prime condition pending the termination of the strike. Bush-fires also did great damage, especially to dairy-farmers settled on or near recently felled bush lands. A slight depression has naturally been felt throughout the district, and especially in Dannevirke. There were 98 factories registered, employing 243 males and 57 females. Overtime permits were issued for 24 females, who worked 294J extra hours. No complaints in reference to the working of the labour laws have been received. REEFTON. During the year the Factories and Shops and Offices Acts have been well observed. One prosecution occurred during the year : this was for failure to pay double time for working on a holiday. One hundred and fourteen shops and 27 factories were registered. The district is still feeling the effects of the labour trouble which began in 1911 and lasted until the end of 1912. The mines, which were practically shut down for several months, resumed operations at the end of last December, but are not yet working full-handed. The result is that business, although much better, is still far from satisfactory. WESTPORT. During the year trade and business generally have been slack, although men appear to have been fairly fully employed. There has been a decrease in the number of factories registered since the previous year, due to the general dullness of trade. No complaints regarding the working of the labour laws have been received. During the year a number of trades have availed themselves of the provisions of the Shops and Offices Act as to closing by requisition, and this appears to be a benefit to those engaged in business. HOKITTKA. During the year trade and business generally have been dull. The mining industry has been practically at a standstill, whilst the building, engineering, tailoring, cabinetmaking, and coachbuilding trades have experienced a quiet time. Dairying and agricultural farming have had a steady year. The timber industry has not been very flourishing. During the year 58 factories were registered, but 5 have since closed down. These include 3 sawmills and 1 cycle-factory. There have been no prosecutions during the period and no accidents reported. One hundred and twenty-eight shops, including licensed hotels and restaurants, have rendered returns : this is a decrease of 11 since the previous year. Generally speaking, the various labour laws have been well observed by employers and workers in this district.