The Shearers’ Acommodation Act.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 9203, 14 November 1898, Page 3

The Shearers’ Acommodation Act.

Now that the shearing season is about to commence the following brief reference to “ an Act to provide for the proper accommodation of Shearers” (which became law on the slh November, 1898) may be cf interest to some of our readers. “Shearer” includes all employees in or about shearing sheds ; and “shearingshed” includes any building used for any operation connected with shearing, and all buildings wherein shearers sleep or take their meals. Inspectors have extensive powers under the Act; are to visit all sheds at least once a year, and make their report to the Minster of Labour. Fe. sons of the Chinese race who are employed in or about a shearingshed are to have “separate and distinct sleeping accommodation ” provided for them; and each shearer is to have 240 cubic feet of sleeping room in his apartment, which shall not in any case be the same as that in which meals are provided. Owners of sheds are not required to provide blankets or bedding. The Act does not apply to shearing-sheds in which the total number of shearers is less than six, nor to shearers whose ordinary residences are in the immediate neighbourhood of the shed in which they are employed, and who sleep at their homes. Section 52 (giving, power to inspect accommodation for shearers) of the Factories Act, 1894; and section 6 (amending section 62 of the principal Act) of the Factories Act Amendment Act 1896, are repealed by the Shearers’ Accommodation Act, 1898.