OPOTIKI ABATTOIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 190, 8 December 1941, Page 8

OPOTIKI ABATTOIRS

QUESTION AGAIN RAISED

The question of "\vliethcr the Opotiki Borough Council should concern itself over the provision of abattoirs in Opotiki was again discussed last week, when the matter, now a hardy annual, was brought up by Gr Johnson. Cr Johnson said that the council had now to consider the matter otherwise a loss to the distiict might be suffered. If the council did not take action the town was going to lose £5000 a year in wages. Cr Johnson drew attention to the fact that Whakatane was gradually getting all the big things in the Bay at the expense of Opotiki. If Whakatane borough came into the power scheme, the head office would probably go over to Whakatane, said Cr Johnson. Shortly we would lose Opotiki as the head of the Bay electorate simply because we were not progressive enough. It was time we took the matter into our own hands. It was not a matter that would cost us anything. Cr Johnson said that he was sure that the county council would welcome a deputation from the borough council on the matter, because the county council could sec the trend ol matters for themselves. Cr Johnson said that he had brought the matter up so that it could be considered, and a deputation appointed to meet the county council. The matter was urgent and vital. There would be more slaughtering than previously, and all meat would be inspected: which was a condition that everybody wanted to see. Cr Johnson said that he had itways been an advocate for abattoirs and it would be only a short time before they would haw to ha\e them. i Cr David-on said that the buildings would have to be outside the horfuigh. It woidd make droving ]>er. and the carcases could be nrted .by rail. He said he knew v.- butcher who would welcome the heme. Cr Day -:l!<1 that the council had D -evioiisly :igri-ed to delegate its pmers io Lhe company, and he understood Mia': I lie company was satis fKd. (Continued in next column)^

Cr Johnson said that there was n likelihood of the company losing Its license, and the council would have to get down to business and not side-step anything. The Mayor repeated his old contention that the county should take the initiative. The clerk asked if there would be any chance of getting the Government to waive action. Cr Johnson said that the Government had been waiving action for over two years. Most people had a wrong impression of the cost of the scheme. * On the motion of Cr Whitfield it was decided that a deputation wait on the county council in connection with the matter. Crs Johnson, Whitfield, Davidson and Shalfoon were appointed as the deputation, the Mayor asking thai liis name be not included. —News.