41

H.—ll,

ings in Invercargill have been completed, including the Grand Hotel, over 70 ft. high; watercooling tower for Invercargill tramway power-house (about 70 ft.); chimney-stack for powerhouse (over 100 ft.); and chimney-stack for Waikiwi Brick-works (85 ft.). At present the" only large job under way is the new First Church building, which will require scaffolding of 95 ft. on the tower portion. I am pleased to be able to report that no accidents have occurred in connection with scaffolding during the year. The building trade has been good, and, although it is a little slack at present, several large, jobs are in the architects' hands, and will no doubt be started shortly, I have had no occasion to bring any prosecutions, any alteration required being immediately attended to. The builders in the district have given me every assistance in carrying out my duties, for . which I have to thank them. I have, &c, • James Brown, The Secretary of Labour, Wellington. Inspector of Scaffolding REPORTS OF WOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT BRANCHES OF THE DEPARTMENT. Sir, — Department of Labour (Women's Branch), Auckland, 26th April, 1913. I have the honour to submit my report for the year ending the 31st March, 1913. During the period just closed 2,258 applications were received from employers desiring servants and 857 from women desiring employment. Out of these numbers 591 engagements have been made — i.e., 72 married and 519 single women were sent to employment. This shows an increase on last year's operations. In addition to the above, a large number of women who through physical weakness and other causes were unfit to lead an active life has been assisted, to the best of my ability, throughout the year. In connection with this subject I would like to say that amongst the women applying for employment were a number who were not physically fit for work, while a few were somewhat defective mentally, so that in some cases they could not conscientiously be placed in domestic employment, especially where there were young children in the home. Generally the types enumerated were of strict moral character and good principle; most of them were friendless, and only temporary relief could be given. Immigration. There have been 135 immigrants placed in employment throughout the year. Those arriving, from Home were mostly housemaids, parlourmaids, and very good cooks, who demanded a wage over and above what is paid in the Dominion. Very few would accept general work. Hotelkeepers could get all the hands they required, but it was in the private home where domestic assistance is urgently required. The " general " (the maid of all work) who would be satisfied with a weekly wage of 15s. is the type of girl urgently needed in the Dominion, as it is only in the minority of cases where mistresses can really afford to pay more. I have had on an average about 60 applications for "generals" from private homes per month, and I have not had on an average 10 women who will accept this kind of work. The following is the summary of business done during the year :—

In many cases several engagements were made for one worker. I have, <feo., H. R. Morrison, The Secretary of Labour, Wellington, Officer in Charge,

6-H- n,

• Occupation. Applications from Employers. Applications from Workers. Engagements made. To assist Charwomen Cooks Canvassers Dressmakers Governesses Generals Housemaids and waitresses Housekeepers Kitchenmaids Lady-helps Laundresses Married couples Manageresses and matrons.. Nurses Seamstresses, shop-assistant, &c. Usefuls 37 112 226 6 26 11 628 405 179 25 192 40 25 3 115 212 16 23 106 112 4 5 122 196 122 6 68 13 3 6 35 20 16 . 22 91 91 4 1 109 167 95 5 50 12 2 30 18 16 Totals 2,258 857 713