PUBLIC ABATTOIRS.

Evening Star, Issue 4218, 2 September 1876, Page 2

PUBLIC ABATTOIRS.

A deputation consisting of Messrs E. B, Cargill, D. F. Main, J, M'Lean, J; Stephenson, S. James, W. Harper, A, Campbell, and several other gentlemen, waited upon the Mayor this morning with reference to the question of the establishment of public abattoirs for the City. Mr Cargill said the members of the deputation were more or less interested in the matter ©f bringing cattle into the City and slaughtering them—they were interested as producers, sellers, and consumers. It was proposed to establish sale-yards and slaugh-ter-houses, which would serve as public abattoirs, by a public company operating under the regulations and with the support of the Corporation. With this view the promoters proposed to acquire by lease or purchase the present Meat-preserving Works at Green Island, with the plant, slaughteryards, and nearly 1,000 acres of grasslands adjoining the works. The object of the deputation in waiting on his Worship was to ascertain from him how far the Corporation would countenance them in this project and aid them in fulfilling and carrying out this great improvement, which was a thing the Corporation itself desired. A similar company had been formed at Christchurch, which had given general satisfaction; and in Dunedin public abattoirs were much more wanted, the outlets into the country districts being so few, and the choice of spots for the erection of private slaughtering houses at a convenient distance from town being therefore so limited. Great complaints were being made of the nuisances caused by these private yards, and also of the necessary driving about of cattle, to the danger of the inhabitants. By abolishing these and establishing the proposed abattoirs at Green Island, these nuisances would bo entirely got rid of, and another good purpose would be effected by the ability to drive in stock from the country to a quiet place where it could be sold to the trade witheut the injury consequent upon over-driving. The large pasturage would enable all the stock to be turned out in paddocks until sold or killed. At the works there was complete slaughtering apparatus, with all appliances ready, for use, so that the proposed company could actually start work next week if necessary. Before commencing operations the deputation would be glad to learn whether the

Corporation intended establishing abattoir themselves, or whether tJxeywOmd lib prepared to rapport the company • for it would be of little avail, if the latter, after wnieirmg a start found themselves all of a sudden palled right up by Corporation regtdations. Mr Main Said the proprietors of the Healey estate were hot interestedin mkVing a job of this affair, but the scheme wah profounded for the benefit of the public at trgo, and the proprieiors were willing to part with the property at a fair arbitration figure. He might say that thdre would be no feeding of pigs with the offal allowed, resulting In the production of diseased meat. Slaughtermen had told him that they have contracted diseases in their hands fronrkilling diseased animals—what must it necessarily be to those who bit such'moat ? The project was undertaken in a public spirit, for preserving the health of the citisena.. - The Mayor replied that he had long seen the neotyrity which existed for public abattoirs, and in the new Municipal Bill a clause had been inserted providing for their establishment by the Corporation. He believed also that similar provision was inserted in the General Government Bill, ; bnt not having a copy in the Council Chambers he could not speak positively. In their own Bill they had taken pretty arbitrary powers with regard to slaughtering. The Concluding portion of the first ’clause prohibits “ the slaughtering of cattle in any other place than the abbattoirs aforesaid”—thst is to say, in the Corporation abattoirs. The question then arose: if the proposed company started independently of the Corporation, could the meat killed there be sold ? He quite agreed with all Mr Cargill had Said, and was strongly convinced of the necessity of the abattoirs ? There was already a difficulty in getting private licenses granted by fhe magistrates, and these were' only granted on the understanding that they would not be renewed next year. The only difficulty was as to clashing with the provisions of the Corporation’s Bill. In the event of any difficulty he scarcely knew how the matter could be adjusted, except by an arrangement that the company’s property be take-over by the Corporation at a price to be mutually agreed upon. , Mr Main said the company merely wished to be placed under the csgis of tike Coporation.

The Mayor asked if it .would be satisfactory, supposing the Corporation did not erect abattoirs, to insist,on all the slaughtering for the City being done by the company ? Mr Cargill said the deputation .only wished to know if in starting the company they would be going counter to the wish of the Corporation. They desired to place the scheme fully under the protection of; the Corporation, and should it prove unworkable, and that body desire to take it over, the promoters were prepared to handover the whole affair on a fair valuation. Win impression was that the Corporation would find it managed better by a public company. The, Mayor believed nothing could bo fairer than what had been urged by the deputation. If they would submit their views to him in writing he would take care to submit them to the City Council at the first opportunity. Speaking for himself ho was not prepared to say but what the wordd be best managed by a public company, for the Corporation had plenty of work already in hand, and that of a daily increasing nature. The proposition of lire deputation seemed to him perfectly necessary.