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put in hand on the termination of the war with a view to the absorption of surplus labour. On the whole the replies to this circular indicated that the local authorities had appreciated the necessity for discontinuing all works other than those of an urgent nature, and therefore it was considered unnecessary to take any further action at present in connection with the matter. This circular is attached (Appendix IX). Restriction in Mine-development. — Bushfelling. — New Buildings. The Board recommended that no new mine-development work such as shaft-sinking should be undertaken during the currency of the war, and generally that no new development-work such as bushfelling to bring land into pasture, and the construction of non-essential buildings and contract work, should be permitted to be carried out. In connection with this matter the Board had an interview with the Minister of Public Works, and explained at length its views as to the method of restricting unnecessary expenditure during war-time conditions. General Government Public Works. The Board attaches great importance to this matter, and in support of its report reiterates that, in its judgment the Government should set a good example to the general public by ceasing to carry out, at great additional cost, public works which cannot be deemed to be of urgent necessity in war-time. Government Holidays. The Board protested against the large number of holidays observed in Government offices, and submitted that the State should set an example in efficiency to the Dominion by reducing the number of the holidays which are observed in the State Departments, and which, in the opinion of the Board, constitute a grave abuse. Stop-work Meeting®. The Board drew attention to the fact that in its opinion legislation should be passed making it an offence for men engaged in any industry to hold " stop-work meetings." The Commissioners are still of opinion that grave injustice is done both to employers and the State through the serious loss of efficiency arising out of such mettings. Goal-mines Act to be amended. The Board has recommended the Government to amend the Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1914, in order to revert to a previous condition so that men now engaged in the mines may bo employed in the hewing of coal at the face, the object being to meet the requirements of the Dominion by increasing the output, which has been restricted by reason of the reduction in the number of miners. Ohai Coal-mine. The Board, through the Otago Commissioner, advised the Government —and it is understood that the advice has been accepted—to obtain reports from its technical officers as to the possibility of opening up a surface coal-mine or quarry at Ohai, in the Southland District. Efficient Working of Port Lyttelton. Attention having been drawn to serious inefficiency caused at the Port of Lyttelton arising out of the loss of time, both to ocean-going and intercolonial and coastal steamers, by reason of the suspension of the night train from Lyttelton to Christchurch previously used by waterside workers to carry them back to their homes in Christchurch, the Board brought the matter under the notice of the Government, and the Chairman of the Board and the Canterbury Commissioner accompanied a deputation from Christchurch which waited upon the Minister of Railways. The Board regrets that the restrictions placed upon the trade of the Port of Lyttelton are still of a serious character. It is of opinion that there ought to be such train service provided as would afford necessary facilities to waterside workers to enable them to work the shipping of the port without any restriction. In the present crisis, when tonnage has been so materially reduced, and when so much of the prosperity of the Dominion and of the Empire depends upon the maximum service being obtained from the available shipping, the existing conditions at Lyttelton involve not only the Dominion, but the Imperial interests in great financial loss. The Board is of opinion that the conditions at Lyttelton are so completely different from those prevailing at any other port that special concessions should be made in that case. New Zealand Time. The Board recommended the alteration of the clock in New Zealand so as to make the time exactly twelve hours ahead of Greenwich time, instead of eleven and a half as at present. The Board urged that instead of any light-saving scheme under which the times would be changed at different periods of the year, a single change should be made which would have the effect of putting on the clock by half an hour during the whole year. Women's Work. —Non-.i.xem:ptions and Exemptions in Special Occupations. Women's Work. With a view to meeting war conditions where necessary respecting the employment in suitable occupations of female labour, the Board prepared a reprint of a publication issued by the British War Office, and circulated it, mainly through the organization of the Women's National Reserve, as a pamphlet, entitled " Women's War Work " (Appendix X).