ABATTOIR PROPOSAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 283, Issue 283, 14 March 1941, Page 5

ABATTOIR PROPOSAL

BACON CO's ENQUIRIES POSSIBILFIIES DISCUSSED As a result of an enquiry from the Opotiki Bacon Co. Ltd 1 , as to whether the Whakatane Borough Council would consider establishing an abattoir should the company decide to rebuild in this district the members investigated the possibilities of establishing such a facility at this week's meeting of the Council. The building of an abattoir has been a question which for some 1 time has been kept in view by the Council,, as tli-3 law demands that when the population of a town reaches 2500 the slaughtering of stock for retailing must be done under control of the local body. With the rapid progress of the district generally, of which Whakatane is the centre, there is no doubt that before long the population will be such that the Council will be bound to provide an abattoir. Thus when the letter was received from the Bacon Company it was felt by the Mayor that the time was opportune to make full investigations, with the result that the town clerk, Mr D. V. Saunders, last week visited a number of other centres, and compiled a comprehensive report on his findings. After some discussion it was decided that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee to be further reviewed and a report presented to the next meeting of the Council. Clerk's Report. The report prepared by Mr Saunders included a review of killings in other centres so that the position of Whakatane coukl be compared,, and his statement of statistics was most informative and revealed that the total killings in Whakatane numbered 5912 for its population of 2200, and, that the figures were greater than in some other centres where abattoirs were established. With the killings of a Bacon Company added, the total would be 9112 and as a point of comparison with a population of 4-100 (twice that of Whakatane.) Tauranga's annual tally is only 80i(>. Without the killings of a company to bolster the total Whakatane kills more beasts for its people than, for instance. Thames does and the population of Thames is two thousand greater. The report continued as followsLand! and Site. The areas of land acquired by the Boroughs quoted vary from 4 acres (Taumarunui) to 128 acres (Tauranga), but in the cases of the larger holdings not all of the land is used for abattoir purposes. The system most favoured is the provision of an area fenced off into 2 acre paddocks, and pens, adequate to accommodate and segregate the beasts delivered by the different butchers. It appears that approximately 15 acres would be necessary for the Whakatane requirements. A good water supply is necessary and good drainage is an essential feature. Buildings. The establishment at Te Aroha (erected in 1927) is claimed by that body to be a model in abattoir design, and other Borough Clerks whom I have seen in this matter, recommend the use of the Te Aroha plans should the council proceed with the proposal. The Town Clerk at Te Aroha lias been good enough to offer every assistance and. would make the plans available. The Rotorua abattoir, erected in 1925, also is considered to be of good design. However, as special technical know- . ledge is involved, it probably would be necessary lor the council to obtain the assistance of an expert respecting design, layout and construction. The prior approval of the Minister of Agriculture is required to the site and building plans. Staffing and Control. A statutory obligation is imposed on an abattoir authority to appoint an abattoir manager, and all stock and carcases are inspected by a Government inspector whose salary is subsidised. Abattoir staffing is effected by various methods, and some authorities have slaughtermen-man-l agers, others contractor-slaughter-men-managers, and others inspec- • tor-managers and the last ap--1 pears to be the best method. I should say also that contract slaughtering wi'.h proper sate- * guards would be most satisfactory 1 under present conditions. Amongst others Thames works upon this sys-

tern, and I shall laler use their rates to assist in computing probable local costs. Subordinate Activities. The law wouM enable an abattoir authority to maintain a boiling clown works, but the prevalent practice at the smaller abattoirs is to require the butchers themselves to arrange for the prompt disposal of offal. A hides and skin shed usually is provided at the premises, and it is a matter for arrangement whether the butcher or the authority attends to the necessary curing. None of the authorities quoted by me have a chilling chamber and generally they advise against the establishment of one. A dwelling at the abattoir would be necessary for the manager, but rent sufficient to cover outgoings could be charged the occupier. Abattoir District. The council would require with the approval of the Minister, to define an abattoir district and no meat could be offered for sale within such district unless the beasts were slaughtered at an abattoir. The districts of other authorities vary but for immediate purpose it is not possible for the council now to give consideration to this matter. Authority to Establish. A' Borough or Town Board with a population of 2500 or over is required by law to establish an abattoir. A town with a smaller population may do so, but in such case a poll of ratepayers appears to be sary respecting borroAving for such purpose. Financial From information obtained I adopt for the purpose of original cost of the establishment the figure of £8000, covering all capital costs including dwelling. A loan would be necessary, an interest rate of 4% per cent would seem to he indicated and a term of 35 years would be a reasonable one. Annual loan charges would amount to approximately £450. The annual costs might be computed as follows:— Loan, Interest and Sinking Fund 450 0 0 Renewal fund, say 100 0 0 Inspection fees, say lfiO ft 0 Salary manager, say 78 0 0 Office salaries, proportion 52 0 0 Slaughtering contract, say 800 0 0 Water 50 0 0 Rates, insurances, telephone and sundries 100 0 0 Fuel and light 30 0 0 £1820 0 0 So many different considerations have to be taken into account that anything in the nature of a firm estimate is quite impossible, and the information and figures given are intended as a guide to the council. I am confident, however, that the foregoing provides a reasonable basis for the council's discussions upon the proposal.