SLAUGHTERING AND INSPECTION ACT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 18 April 1901, Page 4

SLAUGHTERING AND INSPECTION ACT.

The regulations under the Slaughtering and Inspection Act will appear in tonight's Gazette. They provide for tho registration and licensing of all slaughterhouses, and that for tho purposes of licensing tho colony is to be divided into nine districts. Existing licenses are to continue in force until the 30th of June next, but the local authority concerned must, before issuing any licenses, transmit the application for the approval of the Minister for Agriculture. Brands aro to be affixed to every carcase, whether intended for local consumption or export, and tinned meat must also be stamped. The fee for the registration of an abattoir is £5, and for license, an annual fee of £l, all fees to bo paid into the Public Account. Inspection fees for live stock and meat at a slaughterhouse are fixed at 4d for every head of cattle, and 3?,d for every twelve (or fraction of twelve) calves, sheep, or pigs. Where the to!al amount of inspection foes paid in twelve months does not amount to £2OO, that sum is required to be made up with the last payment. The sanitary provisions require that there shall be concrete or other approved flooring, and thorough ventilation in every slaughtering place and dressing and hanging places and other precautions taken for cleanliness. Penalties up to £SO are provided in the following circumstances: —Every manager of licensco in respect of a slaughtering place who—(1) removes or allows or causes to be removed, any carcase or portion of a carcaso from the slaughtering-place beforo tho brand, label or tag required to be stamped or affixed therc-to is so stamped or affixed; or (2) defaces, removes, or tampers with any brand label, or tag affixed to any carcase or portion of a carcase pursuant to these regulation; or (8) place upon any carcase or portion of a carcase any brand, label, or tag except in accordance with theso regulations ; (4) commits any breach of any of theso regulations.