Act No. 35, 1901.
An Act to consolidate the enactments relating
to the regulation of the making and sale oi
bread and the prevention of the adulteration
thereof and of meal and Hour. {1st'November.
1901.]
R
E it enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with
the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Legisla­
tive Assembly of New South Wales in Parliament assembled, and by
the authority of the same, as follows :—•
1. This Act may be cited as the " Bread Act, 1 9 0 1 . "
2 . The Act sixth William the Fourth number one is hereby
repealed.
3 . All bread made for sale or sold or exposed for sale within
New South Wales shall be made of Hour or meal of wheat, barley, rye,
oats, buck-wheat, Indian corn, pease, beans, rice, or potatoes, or any
of them, and with any common salt, pure water, eggs, milk, barm,
leaven, potato, or other yeast, and mixed in such proportions as may be
thought lit.
4 . (1) The several sorts of bread which are made for sale or
sold or exposed for sale shall always be well made and in their several
and respective degrees according to the quality of the meal or flour
whereof the same ought to be made, and no alum or mixture in which
alum is an ingredient, or any other mixture or ingredient whatsoever
other than and except as hereinbefore mentioned shall be put into or
in anywise used in making bread for sale under any colour or pretence
whatsoever.
(2) Every person who knowingly offends against the pro­
visions of this section shall for every such offence be liable to a penalty
not exceeding ten pounds nor less than forty shillings.
5.
5. (1) A l l b r e a d m a d e for sale w i t h i n N e w S o u t h W a l e s , save
as h e r e i n a f t e r e x c e p t e d , shall h e m a d e i n t o loaves w e i g h i n g n o t less
t h a n o n e p o u n d , t w o p o u n d s , a n d four p o u n d s respectively, according
to t h e s t a n d a r d w e i g h t b y l a w established, a n d s u c h loaves shall b e
called a n d u n d e r s t o o d to be t h e " o n e p o u n d loaf," " t w o p o u n d s loaf,"
a n d " f o u r p o u n d s loaf" respectively.
(2) E v e r y person w h o m a k e s for sale or sells or offers for
sale b r e a d of a n y o t h e r d e n o m i n a t i o n or size, or sells or offers for sale
a n y loaf w h i c h is found deficient of its clue w e i g h t w h e n w e i g h e d i n
t h e shop a t t h e t i m e it is sold or offered for sale, shall for every s u c h
offence he liable t o a p e n a l t y n o t e x c e e d i n g five p o u n d s n o r less t h a n
forty shillings :
P r o v i d e d t h a t no such person shall be liable t o a p e n a l t y for
selling or offering for sale a n y loaf w h i c h is found deficient of its d u e
w e i g h t as aforesaid if h e proves t h a t s u c h b r e a d was n o t b a k e d w i t h i n
t h e period of t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s n e x t p r e c e d i n g t h e t i m e of its b e i n g
so sold or offered for sale.
(3) N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g a n y t h i n g herein contained a n y b a k e r
or seller of bread m a y m a k e or sell b r e a d usually sold u n d e r t h e
d e n o m i n a t i o n of F r e n c h or fancy bread or rolls of s u c h w e i g h t or size
as h e t h i n k s fit a n d w i t h o u t previously w e i g h i n g t h e s a m e .
6. A l l b r e a d m a d e of t h e flour of w h e a t , w h i c h flour w i t h o u t
a n y m i x t u r e or division is t h e whole p r o d u c e of t h e grain, t h e b r a n or
h u l l thereof only excepted, a n d w h i c h w e i g h s t w o - t h i r d p a r t s of t h e
w e i g h t of t h e w h e a t whereof it is m a d e , shall he called " s t a n d a r d
wheaten bread."
7. A l l w h e a t e n b r e a d m a d e for sale of a n y m e a l or flour of a n
inferior q u a l i t y to t h e flour used for " s t a n d a r d w h e a t e n b r e a d " as
hereinbefore m e n t i o n e d shall be called " household w h e a t e n b r e a d , "
a n d every loaf of s u c h bread shall be m a r k e d w i t h a l a r g e R o m a n H.
8. A l l bread m a d e for sale w h o l l y or p a r t i a l l y of t h e m e a l or
flour of c o m or of a n y o t h e r sort of grain t h a n wheat, or of t h e m e a l
or flour of a n y pease, b e a n s , or potatoes shall be called " m i x e d b r e a d , "
a n d every loaf of s u c h b r e a d shall be m a r k e d with a l a r g e R o m a n M .
9. E v e r y person w h o m a k e s for sale or sells or exposes for sale a n y
s u c h " h o u s e h o l d w h e a t e n b r e a d " or a n y such " m i x e d b r e a d " w i t h o u t
b e i n g respectively m a r k e d as hereinbefore directed shall be liable to a
p e n a l t y of t e n shillings for every p o u n d w e i g h t of such bread m a d e for
sale or sold or exposed for sale w i t h o u t b e i n g so m a r k e d as aforesaid.
10. (1) N o person e x e r c i s i n g or employed in t h e t r a d e or calling
of a b a k e r s h a l l —
(a) on S u n d a y m a k e or b a k e a n y bread, rolls, or cakes of a n y sort
or k i n d , or
(b)
(b) on t h e said day, e x c e p t i n g before t e n in t h e forenoon a n d
b e t w e e n one a n d two in the afternoon, on a n y p r e t e n c e
whatsoever, sell or expose for sale a n y bread, rolls, or cakes
of a n y sort or h i n d , or
(c) b a k e or deliver or p e r m i t or suffer to be b a k e d or delivered
a n y m e a t , p u d d i n g , pie, t a r t , or v i c t u a l s a t a n y t i m e after t w o
of t h e clock in t h e afternoon of t h a t day, or
(d) in a n y o t h e r m a n n e r exercise on S u n d a y t h e t r a d e of a baker,
or b e e n g a g e d or employed in t h e business or o c c u p a t i o n
thereof, save a n d e x c e p t so far as m a y be necessary in s e t t i n g
a n d s u p e r i n t e n d i n g t h e sponge to p r e p a r e t h e bread or d o u g h
for t h e following day's b a k i n g .
(2) N o m e a t , p u d d i n g , pie, t a r t , or victuals shall be b r o u g h t
t o or t a k e n from a n y b a k e h o u s e d u r i n g t h e t i m e of D i v i n e Service on
Sunday.
(3) E v e r y person offending against a n y one of t h e foregoing
provisions, or m a k i n g a n y sale or delivery h e r e b y allowed b e t w e e n t h e
h o u r s aforesaid otherwise t h a n in t h e i r b a k e h o u s e or shop, shall on
conviction of every such offence w i t h i n t w o days from t h e commission
thereof be liable to a p e n a l t y n o t e x c e e d i n g t h r e e p o u n d s n o r less t h a n
t w e n t y shillings.
11. (1) E v e r y b a k e r or seller of bread shall cause to be fixed in
some conspicuous p a r t of his shop on or n e a r t h e c o u n t e r a correct
b e a m a n d scales w i t h proper w e i g h t s or o t h e r sufficient balance for
w e i g h i n g loaves of b r e a d of t h e r e g u l a t e d w e i g h t s of one p o u n d , two
p o u n d s , a n d four p o u n d s respectively.
(2) A n y person who p u r c h a s e s a n y s u c h loaf of bread from
a n y s u c h b a k e r or seller of b r e a d m a y if he t h i n k s proper r e q u i r e t h e
same to be i m m e d i a t e l y w e i g h e d in his presence.
(3) E v e r y s u c h b a k e r or seller of bread w h o n e g l e c t s to fix
such b e a m a n d scales or to provide a n d keep for use s u c h r e g u l a t e d
w e i g h t s or o t h e r sufficient balance, or who refuses to weigh a n y loaf
or loaves p u r c h a s e d in his shop in t h e presence of t h e p a r t y r e q u i r i n g
t h e same, shall for every such offence be liable to a p e n a l t y n o t
exceeding five p o u n d s n o r less t h a n one p o u n d .
12. (1) E v e r y b a k e r or seller of bread a n d every j o u r n e y m a n
s e r v a n t or o t h e r person employed by s u c h b a k e r or seller of bread who
conveys a n d carries o u t bread for sale in a n y cart or o t h e r carriage
d r a w n by a horse or o t h e r a n i m a l shall be provided w i t h a n d c o n s t a n t l y
carry in s u c h c a r t or o t h e r c a r r i a g e a correct b e a m a n d scales w i t h
p r o p e r w e i g h t s or o t h e r sufficient b a l a n c e for w e i g h i n g loaves of b r e a d
of t h e r e g u l a t e d w e i g h t s of one p o u n d , t w o pounds, a n d four p o u n d s
respectively.
(2) A n y person who p u r c h a s e s a n y s u c h loaf of bread m a y
if he t h i n k s p r o p e r r e q u i r e t h e s a m e to be weighed in his presence.
(3)
(3) If a n y s u c h b a k e r or seller of b r e a d or his j o u r n e y m a n
s e r v a n t or o t h e r p e r s o n a t a n y t i m e carries o u t or delivers a n y b r e a d
in a n y such c a r t or o t h e r carriage as aforesaid w i t h o u t being provided
w i t h s u c h b e a m a n d scales w i t h proper w e i g h t s or o t h e r sufficient
b a l a n c e , or a t a n y t i m e refuses to w e i g h a n y bread in t h e presence of
t h e p e r s o n p u r c h a s i n g or receiving t h e same, t h e n a n d in every s u c h
case every s u c h b a k e r or seller of bread shall for every such offence
be liable to a p e n a l t y n o t exceeding five p o u n d s nor less t h a n one
pound.
13. (1) A n y j u s t i c e of t h e peace m a y w h e n e v e r h e sees fit,
a n d a n y inspector of w e i g h t s a n d m e a s u r e s d u l y a p p o i n t e d u n d e r t h e
provisions of t h e W e i g h t s a n d M e a s u r e s A c t 1898 w h e n directed
b y a n y s u c h j u s t i c e , a n d a n y constable a u t h o r i s e d by w a r r a n t u n d e r
t h e h a n d of a n y s u c h justice m a y , at r e a s o n a b l e t i m e s in t h e d a y t i m e ,
e n t e r into a n y house, shop, stall, bakehouse, p a s t r y - w a r e h o u s e , or o u t ­
house b e l o n g i n g to a n y b a k e r or seller of bread to search for, view,
weigh, a n d t r y all s u c h bread as m a y b e t h e n a n d t h e r e found, a n d has
been b a k e d w i t h i n t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s n e x t preceding t h e t i m e of being
so searched for a n d tried.
(2) I n case of d i s p u t e t h e proof t h a t s u c h b r e a d w a s n o t
b a k e d w i t h i n s u c h period of t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s shall he u p o n s u c h
b a k e r or seller of bread.
(3) S u c h b r e a d s h a l l be weighed in sets of four loaves of
t h e s a m e d e n o m i n a t i o n or size or in a n y l a r g e r or smaller q u a n t i t y as
may be found most convenient.
(4) I f o n t h e w e i g h i n g of s u c h b r e a d a n y deficiency is found
i n its d u e w e i g h t on t h e a v e r a g e of t h e w h o l e w e i g h t of all t h e loaves
of bread of t h e s a m e d e n o m i n a t i o n or size w h i c h a r e t h e n a n d t h e r e
found, a n d w h i c h h a v e b e e n b a k e d w i t h i n s u c h period of t w e n t y - f o u r
h o u r s , and w h i c h deficiency a p p e a r s u p o n t h e view of a n y s u c h j u s t i c e
or is proved before a n y s u c h justice u p o n t h e o a t h of t h e p a r t y
w e i g h i n g t h e same, t h e n t h e person so offending shall be liable to a
p e n a l t y of five shillings for every ounce of bread w h i c h is so f o u n d
deficient, unless it is proved on behalf of t h e parties a g a i n s t w h o m s u c h
information is m a d e b y t h e o a t h of a n y respectable h o u s e k e e p e r t h a t
s u c h deficiency w h o l l y arose from some u n a v o i d a b l e a c c i d e n t i n b a k i n g
or otherwise, or was occasioned b y or t h r o u g h some c o n t r i v a n c e or
confederacy to i n j u r e t h e p a r t y accused.
A n y s u c h j u s t i c e , inspector, or constable m a y seize all such
loaves as a r e so f o u n d deficient, a n d such j u s t i c e m a y dispose thereof
as in his discretion he t h i n k s fit.
14. (1) W h o s o e v e r —
(a) p u t s into a n y c o r n m e a l or flour w h i c h is g r o u n d , dressed,
bolted, or m a n u f a c t u r e d for sale, e i t h e r a t t h e t i m e of g r i n d i n g ,
dressing, b o l t i n g , or m a n u f a c t u r i n g t h e s a m e , or a t a n y o t h e r
time
t i m e a n y i n g r e d i e n t or m i x t u r e w h a t e v e r n o t b e i n g Che real
a n d g e n u i n e p r o d u c e of t h e corn or grain w h i c h is so g r o u n d ;
or
(b) k n o w i n g l y sells or oilers for sale e i t h e r separately or m i x e d
a n y m e a l or flour of one sort of corn or g r a i n as t h e m e a l or
flour of a n y other sort of c o r n or g r a i n or a n y i n g r e d i e n t w h a t ­
soever m i x e d w i t h t h e m e a l or flour so sold or offered or
exposed for sale,
shall for every s u c h offence be liable to a p e n a l t y n o t exceeding t w e n t y
p o u n d s nor less t h a n five p o u n d s .
(2) N o t h i n g herein contained shall a p p l y to any i n g r e d i e n t ,
article, or m a t e r i a l e m p l o y e d or used for cleansing or p r e s e r v i n g s u c h
corn or grain from s m u t or o t h e r disease, weevil, or o t h e r insect or
i m p u r i t y if every such i n g r e d i e n t , article, or m a t e r i a l so e m p l o y e d or
used is carefully a n d effectually removed from s u c h c o r n or grain
before t h e same is " r o u n d .
15. (1) A n y j u s t i c e of t h e peace a n d also a n y constable
a u t h o r i s e d by a n y w a r r a n t u n d e r t h e h a n d of a j u s t i c e of t h e peace
m a y a t reasonable t i m e s in t h e d a y t i m e —
(a) enter i n t o a n y house, mill, shop, stall, b a k e - h o u s e , b o l t i n g house, p a s t r y - w a r e h o u s e , out-house, or g r o u n d of or b e l o n g i n g
to a n y miller, m e a l m a n , or b a k e r or o t h e r person w h o g r i n d s
g r a i n or dresses or bolts meal or flour or m a k e s bread for
r e w a r d or sale ; a n d
(b) search or e x a m i n e w h e t h e r a n y m i x t u r e or i n g r e d i e n t , not
t h e g e n u i n e p r o d u c e of t h e g r a i n s u c h m e a l or flour i m p o r t s or
o u g h t to be, h a s b e e n m i x e d u p w i t h or p u t i n t o a n y m e a l or
flour in t h e possession of s u c h miller, m e a l m a n , or b a k e r either
in t h e g r i n d i n g of a n y g r a i n a t t h e mill or in t h e dressing,
b o l t i n g , or m a n u f a c t u r i n g thereof w h e r e b y t h e p u r i t y of
a n y m e a l or flour is in a n y w i s e a d u l t e r a t e d , or w h e t h e r a n y
m i x t u r e or i n g r e d i e n t o t h e r t h a n is allowed b y t h i s A c t has
been m i x e d u p w i t h or p u t i n t o a n y d o u g h or b r e a d in t h e
possession of a n y b a k e r or o t h e r person w h e r e b y a n y s u c h
d o u g h or bread is in anywise a d u l t e r a t e d ; a n d
(c) search for a n y m i x t u r e or i n g r e d i e n t w h i c h m a y be i n t e n d e d
to b e used in or for a n y s u c h a d u l t e r a t i o n or m i x t u r e .
(2) If upon a n y s u c h search a n d e x a m i n a t i o n it a p p e a r s
t h a t a n y s u c h m e a l , flour, d o u g h , or bread so found h a s been so
a d u l t e r a t e d b y t h e person in whose possession it t h e n is, or a n y m i x t u r e
or i n g r e d i e n t is f o u n d w h i c h seems to h a v e been deposited t h e r e i n
order to be used i n t h e a d u l t e r a t i o n of meal, flour, or bread, t h e n a n d in
every s u c h case every such j u s t i c e of t h e peace or c o n s t a b l e a u t h o r i s e d as
aforesaid
aforesaid m a y seize a n d t a k e a n y m e a l , flour, d o u g h , or bread w h i c h is
found in a n y s u c h search a n d d e e m e d to h a v e been a d u l t e r a t e d , a n d all
i n g r e d i e n t s a n d m i x t u r e s w h i c h are found and d e e m e d to h a v e b e e n
used or i n t e n d e d to be used in or for a n y such a d u l t e r a t i o n as aforesaid.
(3) S u c h p a r t thereof as is seized by a n y constable
a u t h o r i s e d as aforesaid shall w i t h all c o n v e n i e n t speed after seizure be
carried to t h e n e a r e s t r e s i d e n t j u s t i c e of t h e peace, a n d if a n y j u s t i c e
w h o m a k e s a n y s u c h seizure in p u r s u a n c e of this A c t , or to w h o m
a n y t h i n g so seized u n d e r t h e a u t h o r i t y of t h i s A c t is b r o u g h t , a d j u d g e s
u p o n t h e evidence of a n y c o m p e t e n t person t a k e n u p o n o a t h t h a t a n y
s u c h meal, flour, d o u g h , or b r e a d so seized has been a d u l t e r a t e d b y a n y
m i x t u r e or i n g r e d i e n t p u t t h e r e i n o t h e r t h a n is allowed b y t h i s A c t , or
adjudges t h a t a n y i n g r e d i e n t or m i x t u r e so found as aforesaid h a s been
deposited or k e p t w h e r e so f o u n d for t h e p u r p o s e of a d u l t e r a t i n g m e a l ,
flour, or bread, t h e n a n d in a n y s u c h case every s u c h j u s t i c e of t h e peace
is h e r e b y r e q u i r e d to dispose of t h e s a m e as h e in his discretion t h i n k s
proper.
16. E v e r y miller, m e a l m a n , or b a k e r in whose h o u s e , mill, shop,
stall, b a k e h o u s e , b o l t i n g - h o u s e , p a s t r y - w a r e h o u s e , o u t h o u s e , g r o u n d , or
possession a n y i n g r e d i e n t or m i x t u r e is found, w h i c h after d u e e x a m i n a ­
tion is adjudged b y a n y justice of t h e peace to h a v e b e e n deposited t h e r e
for t h e p u r p o s e of b e i n g used in a d u l t e r a t i n g t h e p u r i t y or w h o l e s o m e ness of a n y m e a l , flour, d o u g h , or b r e a d shall for every s u c h offence be
liable t o a p e n a l t y n o t exceeding forty shillings for t h e first offence,
five p o u n d s for t h e second offence, a n d t e n p o u n d s for every s u b s e q u e n t
offence, u n l e s s it is m a d e to a p p e a r t o t h e satisfaction of a n y s u c h
j u s t i c e t h a t s u c h i n g r e d i e n t or m i x t u r e w a s so deposited w i t h o u t t h e
k n o w l e d g e or p r i v i t y of t h e p a r t y accused.
17. E v e r y person w h o wilfully o b s t r u c t s or h i n d e r s a n y s u c h
search as is hereinbefore a u t h o r i s e d to b e m a d e , or t h e seizure of a n y
m e a l , flour, d o u g h , or bread, or of a n y i n g r e d i e n t or m i x t u r e w h i c h is
found on a n y s u c h search a n d is d e e m e d to h a v e b e e n lodged with a n
i n t e n t to a d u l t e r a t e t h e p u r i t y or wholesomeness of a n y m e a l , flour,
d o u g h , or bread, or who wilfully opposes or resists a n y s u c h s e a r c h
b e i n g m a d e or t h e c a r r y i n g a w a y of a n y such i n g r e d i e n t or m i x t u r e as
aforesaid, or a n y meal, flour, d o u g h , or bread which is seized as b e i n g
a d u l t e r a t e d or as n o t b e i n g m a d e p u r s u a n t to t h i s A c t shall for every
s u c h offence be liable to a p e n a l t y n o t e x c e e d i n g t e n p o u n d s .
18. N o person shall be convicted for a n y offence u n d e r t h i s
A c t unless t h e c o m p l a i n t is m a d e w i t h i n f o r t y - e i g h t h o u r s n e x t after
t h e t i m e t h e offence has b e e n c o m m i t t e d .
19. I f a n y a c t i o n or suit is c o m m e n c e d a g a i n s t a n y j u s t i c e of
t h e peace, constable, or o t h e r person for a n y m a t t e r or t h i n g d o n e i n
p u r s u a n c e of t h i s A c t , t h e d e f e n d a n t i n a n y s u c h a c t i o n or suit m a y
plead
plead t h e g e n e r a l issue a n d give t h i s A c t a n d t h e special m a t t e r in
e v i d e n c e a t a n y t r i a l t h e r e u p o n a n d t h a t t h e same was done in pur­
s u a n c e a n d b y a u t h o r i t y of this Act, a n d if it appears so t o h a v e been
d o n e , or if a verdict is recorded for t h e defendant, or if t h e plaintiff is
n o n s u i t e d or d i s c o n t i n u e s his action after t h e d e f e n d a n t has appeared,
or if j u d g m e n t is g i v e n u p o n a verdict or d e m u r r e r a g a i n s t t h e plaintiff,
t h e d e f e n d a n t in every s u c h action shall a n d m a y recover t r e b l e costs
a n d h a v e t h e like r e m e d y for t h e same as a n y d e f e n d a n t has in o t h e r
cases b y l a w for t h e recovery of costs.