H—ll

(2) Inspections made during the past year under the Shearers' Accommodation Act, 1919, numbered 207 compared with only 96 during the previous year, and requisitions covered a total of 296 items (102 more than last year, and 206 more than 1947-48) of which 136 had been complied with by 31st March. Some districts with a large number of sheds have not yet been able to make a general inspection due to shortages of field staff and vehicles, and the inaccessibility of many sheds. (3) The improvement in sawmill accommodation, noted in 1949, has been sustained during the past year, and most of the districts concerned report that the position is at least satisfactory. The number of sawmills providing accommodation inspected during the year was 102, and 28 requisitions were served for improvements to housing. The sawmill housing scheme has been an important element in effecting the improvement noted. The position under the scheme is now as follows: —

(I) Bush Workers Act, 1945 (1) General inspections of bush undertakings during the year numbered 532 compared with 618 during the previous year. (■2) Requisitions for improvements during the year may be compared with those for the previous year in the following table :

(3) Accidents to bush, workers notified to the Department during the calendar year 1949 numbered 643 compared with 603 for the previous year. Fatal accidents to bush workers during 1949 numbered 6 compared with 7 during 1948 and 10 during 1947. These figures do not include accidents to bush workers employed by Government Departments. The causes of the fatal accidents during 1949 were: falling trees, 2 ; rolling logs, 1 ; fall of rock, 1 ; driving rail tractor, 1 ; lack of protective canopy on logging tractor, 1. (4) A survey of accidents in the sawmilling industry (which covers logging, transport, and milling operations) over the past three years shows that the rate is alarmingly high, as compared with other industries. Sawmills and bush undertakings are mostly in areas

34

SgSp At 31st March, 1950. At 31st. March, 1949. Increase. Number of applications approved 125 120 5 Number of houses approved 705 528 177 Number of houses completed 464 318 146 Number of houses in course of erection .. 52 63

Requisitions Issued. Requirements. 1948-49. 1949-50. To fit canopies to logging tractors or repair existing 41 17 canopies To. protect machinery, fit guards, &c. 38 23 To repair bridges 43 31 To supply first-aid appliances 77 69 To repair tramways or roads 4 1 To repair rolling-stock 6 4 Requirements in respect of working methods, rigging, 38 8 dangerous trees, ropes, blocks, &c., and improved supervision Other 5 5 Totals 252 158