H.—ll.

in a pit containing some water. The lamp has since been rewired, and the pit filled in. This work is controlled by regulations under the supervision of the Public Works Department, whose attention was drawn to the accident. 8. A dairy-factory engineer was also killed by an electric shock from a faulty extension-lamp. Inquiries show that the lamp had been fitted up by another employee, who was unqualified to do such work. This case has also been dealt with by the Public Works Department. 9. A stone-quarry worker was severely injured through being struck on the head by a protruding fastener while he was passing under a moving belt. Adequate safeguards existed, and it is considered that there was no occasion for anyone to attempt to pass under the belt. 10. A kauri-gum worker slipped from a plank into a vat containing a hot salt-solution for cleaning gum, with fatal results. This occurred in a factory which was at the time not registered owing to the occupier's being unaware that the premises came within the Act; the work carried on was similar to that done by gum-diggers in the swamps, and the factory merely provided mechanical means of performing work formerly done by hand. The factory has now been registered and the use of the plank discontinued, the occupiers being instructed to provide a fender-board and guard-rail round the vat. 11. A fish-curing worker was fatally crushed by a descending goods-lift when apparently using the lift-well as a " short cut "to another department. All precautionary appliances had been installed. 12. A joinery apprentice (aged seventeen) was killed apparently through his apron catching upon a revolving shaft while he was adjusting a belt on a pulley. No one witnessed the accident, but the Inspector of Machinery considers that the shaft pulley and belt were in a safe position and well fenced ; the employer has been instructed not to allow belts to be adjusted whilst the machinery is in motion, and a safety notice to this effect has been issued. 13. A foundry-manager was killed through the bursting of a fuel-tank attached to an oil-fed furnace. Inquiries were made in conjunction with the Inspector of Machinery, but direct evidence as to the cause of the accident was not available. 14. A gasworks employee on opening a retort was met by a burst of flame, with fatal consequences. The usual precautions had been taken, and the accident could be attributed only to the use of brown lignite, with which experiments were being carried out. The occurrence was considered to be purely accidental, and extremely unlikely to be repeated. Vapours from Benzol, Benzine, and Methylated Spirit. An investigation, in conjunction with officers of the Health Department and Inspectors of Explosives, has been made into the use of liquid preparations likely to affect the health and safety of workers in straw-hat and other factories, and dry-cleaning establishments. It is found that most of the liquids used contain benzine and methylated spirit, giving off fumes the concentration of which is considered dangerous to health, and also involves the risk of explosion and fire. Information as to the best precautionary measures to be adopted were issued to all District Offices, and instructions were given to carry out a careful inspection of all establishments using such preparations. These inspections were, wherever possible, made in company with the Inspectors of Health and Explosives. Reports received indicate that the examination of these premises has been thoroughly carried out; and although in many cases occupiers were found to be fully alive to the danger attending the use of these liquids, and had taken satisfactory precautions, conditions in some cases were found to be unsatisfactory, and Inspectors were able to do valuable work in having the necessary improvements effected. No difficulty was found in securing ready acquiescence in the adoption of the precautions suggested. No worker was found to be noticeably suffering from the effects of poisonous fumes. Factory Hygiene and Welfare Work. There is not the need nor is it possible in the comparatively small factories of the Dominion to provide elaborate welfare schemes such as exist in large industrial centres in Europe and America ; many of the large firms in the Dominion have, however, taken a special interest in such work ; attention has also been given by Inspectors to the question of suitable seats with back-rests, to rest-rooms, workingfacilities, the covering of concrete floors, &c. Boys and Girls in Factories. The following table shows the number of boys and girls taken on in factories during the war years and subsequently : —

Certificates of Fitness issued to Boys and Girls under Sixteen Years of Age to work in Factories.

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Year. ! Boys. Girls. Total. ! Year. j Boys. Girls. ' Total. 1913-14 .. .. 932 1.241 2,173 1921-22 .. .. 962 1,286 2,248 1914-15 .. .. 952 1,136 2,088 1922-23 .. .. 995 1,530 2,525 1915-16 .. .. 1,100 1,263 2,363 1923-24 .. .. 1.156 1,445 2,601 1916-17 .. .. 1,158 1.251 2,409 1924-25 .. .. 1.259 1,277 2,536 1917-18 .. .. 1,199 1,236 2,435 1925-26 .. .. 1.300 1,586 2,886 1918-19 .. .. 1,240 1.333 2.573 1926-27 .. .. 1.199 1.547 2.746 1919-20 .. .. 1,252 1.685 2,937 1927-28 .. .. 1.030 1.614 2,644 1920-21 .. .. 1.267 1.368 2.635