THE ABATTOIRS QUESTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 33, 8 February 1905, Page 3

THE ABATTOIRS QUESTION.

... .- ■- m • ' ■ ——■■ - 'PROPOSAL EY FARMERS' FREEZING COMPANY. Tbe proposal submitted to the City Council for the abattoirs by the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company is to be considered by the Streets Committee to-_aorrow evening- Deputations of two members from the Farmers' Union and Master Butchers. The chairman's letter is as under: — Sir, —E. e abattoirs: Referring to negotiations and tentative proposals made by the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company to your Council's committee relating to the above subject, after more fully considering the circumstances and possible requirements of the Council in connection with slaughtering in future, my company considers that it would better meet the case if separate buildings and space accommodation were provided adjoining the company's present works near Penrose, instead of use being made of tbe present buildings. This conclusion has been arrived at in view, mainly, of the greatly extended accommodation which a city abattoir will probably need in the near future. For the purpose of meeting requirements of the Council in the matter of abattoirs for the killing of all meat used in the city of Auckland, the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company's proposal is to supply, in conjunction with their present building and plant, near Penrose, accommodation of a character sufficient to meet the utmost demand, which the Council is likely to be called upon to deal with for many years to come. The company being possessed in its present works of a most up-to-dale plant for dealing with offal, whereby all chance of -nuisance is done away with, will be prepared to buy offal from butchers, but this need not be included in the arrangements proposed to be made with the Council, unless desired by the Council. The chilling rooms and freezing chambers belonging to the company will be available for butchers upon payment of the ordinary charges. The company desire that abattoirs fees charged be as low as possible, and would suggest they do not exceed: For each head of cattle, 1/; each calf, 6d.; each pig. 9d.; each sheep or lamb, 3d. Herewith I ai-taeh proposals. -which, it is thought, will <? well meet the ease, and which niy company is prepared to carry out. If the Council desires to discuss the proposals in conjunction with tiie company. I will be very glad to arrange for representatives of the company to meet the Council's committee at any suitable time you may suggest. By this means a conclusion might be arrived at satisfactory to both Council and company. The proposal made would, of course, involve the company in a very large expense, for which reason, I have no doubt, it will be recognised, it is necessary that a lengthy term of lease must lie secured, so as to allow the company time in which to recoup its initial expenditure.—l am, etc Joseph Barugh, chairman Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company." The following are the heads of the proposal the company desire to make. and which, if accepted by the Council. will form a good basis of agreement, which can be worked out in detail afterwards. Tbe company will:— (1) Erect buildings adjoining its present works capable of allowing of the killing of 100 head of cattle, _00 sheep, and 50 pigs dairy, and undertake the erection of any further reasonable accommodation and buildings which may be found necessary, should the quantity being killed increase beyond the number stated. (2) Connect the buildiwwi with the Government railway by means of a siding (the rent of siding being paid by the company), so that meat may be loaded direct into the trucks in cases where butchers do not desire to remove it with their own vehicles. (3) Provide all railway, sheep, cattle, and other yards necessary for the carrying on of the abattoirs. (4) Provide electric hoisting machinery, eleefcric light, hot water for scalding pigs, and colH water for other purposes. (5~) Make and keep all roads and drains, and provide yards and holding paddocks for.stock. (6) Supply all big yards and paddocks with water for stock. (7) If desired, the company will undertake the slaughtering, loading of meat into trucks or vehicles, and other wtwk connected by contract. (8) While the control and management of the abattoirs will rest entirely with the Council, the maintenance and upkeep will be met by the company. (9) The company in return for these considerations to receive from the Council remuneration by way of a payment per head for each animal slaughtered, under the provisions of the Slaughtering and Inspection Act. 1900, by the authority of the Council, at the following rates: For each head of cattle, 6d.; calf, 3d.; pier, 6d.; sheep or lamb. Id. In addition, the blood of tbe animals slaughtered shall be the property of the company. The term of the lease containing these conditions to be 30 years, or as may be agreed upon between the Council and tbe company.