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61
HYGIENE OF HAIRDRESSERS' AND BARBERS' SHOPS.
In my Annual Report for last year it was noted that the Sanitary Committee
had under consideration a scheme, pending legislation, for effecting improvements
in the conduct of the business of hairdresser or barber.
In November last I presented a Report giving full details of the results of
enquiries made both in foreign countries and in our own Colonies.
This Report has been so widely referred to in the public Press, and at such
length, that there is no occasion to further allude to it here beyond recording
the manner in which, and how far we have succeeded in putting the scheme
suggested in the Report into operation.
In the first place, suggested draft Regulations were drawn up, and authority
obtained from the Committee to ascertain how far these would be acceptable
to those engaged in the trade, as it was felt that, having no legal power of
enforcement, without such co-operation we could do little. With this object
in view, the opinion and assistance of the Barbers' Company was sought, but
in reply the Clerk stated that, while appreciating our action in consulting
them, the Company regretted their inability to give us any practical and
technical assistance, and suggested the Incorporated Guild of Hairdressers
should be approached on the matter. This course was adopted with the
best results, and I am glad to take this opportunity of acknowledging the
valuable assistance rendered by this influential trade organisation in
promoting the object sought.
As a result of several conferences with the representatives of the Guild,
certain regulations and recommendations were agreed to. These were
in due course submitted to the Court of Common Council, when Resolutions
submitted by the Sanitary Committee to the followiug effect were agreed
to, viz.:—
(i.) That the Incorporated Guild of Hairdressers, &c., be informed
that these Regulations and recommendations meet with the approval
of the Corporation.
(ii.) That it is advisable that a Register be kept at the Guildhall of
such Hairdressers, &c., as are willing to be bound by these Regulations,
and to exhibit a copy of the same in their establishments,
(iii.) That the certificate of sanitary condition required before
registration be granted by your Medical Officer of Health in
respect of all such establishments within the City limits, and that
the same be renewed annually.
(iv.) That the necessary inspection and re-inspection, so far as the City
is concerned, remain in the hands of your officers.