LIFE ON A SHEEP STATION. 215 



employed at the shed during the shearing, and 

 amongst them are some queer characters. One man 

 was named " Silent Billy/^ and it was a nick- 

 name well merited, as he did not speak on an 

 average more than twice a day. The shearer's mode 

 of dress is both simple and inexpensive, merely a pair 

 of moleskin pants and a merino singlet or flannel. 

 He seldom wears socks or an overshirt. In many 

 instances, the shearer works barefooted, or he has 

 on shoes made out of a j)iece of bagging or wool- 

 pack with string for laces. On Sunday, the luxury of 

 a pair of boots, and, perhaps, socks, is indulged in, 

 and if the shearer is extravagant, he may put on a 

 clean shirt and pair of moles. A coat is sometimes 

 noticed, and, perhaps, a necktie on rare occasions. 



The daily routine is seldom varied. Work com- 

 mences at 6 a.m. and lasts until 8 a.m., when an hour 

 is allowed for breakfast. From 9 to 10.20, and 

 then twenty minutes for a smoke, after which 

 shearing goes on until noon. At 1 p.m. they resume 

 until 2.20, when there is another twenty minutes for 

 a smoke. They then shear until 4 p.m., and then have 

 twenty minutes for tea ; this over, they go on until 

 5.30. Then if the weather is warm enough some 

 go for a swim in the river. At 6 p.m. supper is 

 served. Then yarning commences, and at the tale- 

 spinning process shearers are good hands. Perhaps 

 the monotony is broken by someone informing the 



