"A DISGUSTING BUSINESS"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 209, 29 May 1920, Page 3

"A DISGUSTING BUSINESS"

SUBURBAN DAIRYMAN' HEAVILY " PINED.

The Department of Agriculture, repre. eented by Inspector T. C. Webb; yesterday proceeded against John Telford, dairyfarmer, South Karori, and William Ernest Hull, dairyfarmer, 1 Miramar, fot slaughtering calves for human consump' tion at other than a registered abattoir, also for, killing and dressing for huirian consumption ■ calves weighing less than 601b. There were two charges against each.

Inspector Webb said that- the business was a disgusting : one. The regulations provided that a calf sold for human consumption mu6t not be under Gfllb. Tel* ford had 6old a calf which weighed only 321b. to a pork butcher. ■ Complaints had been mode concerning nqwly-born calves having been sold to butchers for manufacture into small gcods, but'the offenders were difficult to catch. The carcasses were brought into the city nt all hours of the day and night, which iriade it difficult to detect the offenders. He had heard on the beat authority, although the fact had not come'under his personal observation, that during the spring the calves of cows that had died during calving had been taken from the mothers and sold in the city. The Department pressed for a heavy penalty, because .it. was-desirable to put a stop to this class of business.

Mr. J. 11. Dale, who appeared for Telford, pleaded guilty on his behalf, and said that Telford had not previously offended in this respect-. It was his practico to kill his calves and bury tho carcasses, but lie had been told.by a pork butcher on one or two occasions that he (the butcher) could do with the calves, and the last one Telf.ird kiMed he decided not to] bury, but...to let the,pork butcher have it. Counsel suggested that the case' had' .taken. ,v serious turn, and he'would like to'put his client into the witness-box. Un fortunately his client was a dairyman, and jo had not been nble to get hold of him. The enso was adjourned'until HLn.m. on Monday. Hull also pleaded guilty, and stated that,he:.had not previously taken calves to.-the pork butchers. Ho usually -killed his calves ant) buried the carcasses, but on this occasion he took tho carcasses and sold them to a butcher in Iliddiforrt Street." The calves he sold were about four or. five days old The inspector stated that a charge had not yet been laid asainst the butcher. llull was lined ,£2l) on t!e first charge nnd £10 on the second.