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18
The recommendation was adopted, and the premises having been
purchased your Committee are now in a position to carry out all its
obligations in respect of this matter, and can provide accommodation
sufficient to meet all ordinary requirements.
New Acts
Affecting this
authority.
The only legislation coming into force during the year and likely
to affect the department, is the Alien Immigration Act, and the New
Order under the Factory and Workshops Act, making certain additions
to the outworkers' lists in respect of several trades. This will make
some additional work for the department but it is too early as yet to
express an opinion as to how much.
New
appointments.
The only new appointments that have taken effect during the
year are those of Messrs. Bull and Saunders, two junior clerks in
the office.
Mr. Bull has since his appointment here, been most courteous and
obliging, and I have every reason to believe he will make a good
officer. I greatly regret the other appointment has not proved more
fortunate than it has.
Night visits.
Tenement and
similar houses.
I mentioned earlier in the report that a large number of visits had
been made to registered tenement houses, out of usual office hours,
that is, very late at night or early in the morning. In connection with
this matter, I am of opinion that your inspectors have a somewhat
substantial grievance. It is by no means a pleasant duty to get up at
4 a.m. to visit a number of tenement houses, with a view to detecting
over-crowding. Neither is it at all times an agreeable task to be
visiting these same tenements until perhaps midnight, and I venture to
suggest that the duties so discharged should rank for the remuneration
that is allowed in the case of taking samples of food late at night or
early morning. At present " time off" is the only consideration made
or allowed for this extra duty, and I am strongly of opinion that this
matter should receive your favourable consideration in the direction
indicated.