PUBLIC ABATTOIRS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 130, 12 June 1901, Page 2

PUBLIC ABATTOIRS.

Tub question of public abattoirs again came up at the Borough Council last night. Tho correspondence on tho subject (already published) was read. The Mayor said that since the meeting New Plymouth and other places where there were freezing works wero erecting abattoirs. No place could be bettor supplied than Napier' with freezing works. Ho had been under a misconception as to the Nelson works, his impression being that they had cost £7500, but he had since learned that £5,500 of that was for land.

Cr Lysnar said it was difficult to know what to do for the best; while thoy must study the butchers, thoy should consider the interests of the ratepayers first. If tho erection of abattoirs-meant giving the butchers a handle to increase the price of meat, ho would favor giving a trial to the freezing works, which were on public property. The butchers were making too much of the question of driving stock. It had been computed that the annual slaughtering was 1092 bullocks and 6864 sheep, which, at Mr Shelton’s price, would be £273 for bullocks and £343 4s for sheep. Abattoirs erected at a cost of £4OOO would at 5 per cent come to £620, in addition to which there would be tho killing, and allowance to make for depreciation. Just before the meeting he had rung up Mr Shelton to ask whether he would he agreeable to allow time to consider what it w’ould cost for abattoirs, and ho had said no, the offer must bo accepted or rejected by the first of July. On looking into the question of freezing works competing with abattoirs he found that they could sell meat, hut must provide the fee. Cr Jones: That is the crux of the question. Continuing, Cr Lysnar said that if there were a chance of getting a bridge erected over the Waimata, it would get over the question of droving. He moved that a trial be given to the Gisborne Freezing Works on the basis of the offer made. Cr Jones: What would tho cost be ? Cr Lysnar: Nothing. The proposition lapsed for want of a seconder. Cr Jones moved that a committee be set up to enquire as to sites. It was time they had an abattoir, but they must remember that it was not merely for three months, but for a permanency. • They should consider the butchers the same as they would consider any other -body of business men. He went on to criticise Mr Lysnar’s figures, and calculated the cost of borough abattoirs' at £416, against £616 by Mr Shelton's offer. Cr Bright: But they have all tho work after that (in borough abattoirs). Cr Jones said that was so, but there was also carting, etc., to add to the other. As for the bridge suggested, that would only be putting tho trouble on to the Kaiti people. If they could not get the abattoirs erected in time they could get an extension. Cr Morrison seconded tho motion. No private company would undertake anything at a loss, and ho favored municipal control. Cr Bright suggested that tho report be allowed to lio on the table for the time being, and he moved to that effect. He pointed out that there were now three veterinary inspectors in the district, looking after such matters, and the Act did not appear to he compulsory that they must have abattoirs at the time stated. In view of other large works contemplated they might well take time. The amendment was not seconded.

Cr Lysnai and the Mayor supported the motion, which, was carried unanimously. Crs Hepburn, Kennedy, Miller, Lysnar, and the Mayor were elected a committee.