The Globe. MONDAY, JUNE 17, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1354, 17 June 1878, Page 2

The Globe. MONDAY, JUNE 17, 1878.

The question of the establishment of abattoirs Avhich was agitated some time back has again been discussed. Tlio matter is one of considerable importance, as Laving some bearing upon the public health, and, therefore, should receive careful consideration. Up to a very recent period slaughter-house licenses were granted by the Bench of magistrates acting for the district in which the proposed slaughter-house was situated. The police were held responsible for the supervision of the places so licensed, and were also charged with the duly of reporting as to the fitness or otherwise of the locality. Last session, however, an Act was passed which placed the entire management and control of slaughterhouses in the hands of the County

Councils of the respective provincial districts. They are now solely responsible for the granting of licenses, Ac., and upon them is cast the whole of the duties as to inspection, Ac., which was formerly carried out by the police. The provisions of the Act itself, in matters of detail, are very much more stringent than those under which the system was _ formerly worked. But, while this is so, it is also deficient in the one groat point, viz., efficiency of inspection over a lai’go area As County Councils are now placed and are likely to bo for some time—their finances do not warrant them adding to their staff of officials, to any great extent, in order to carry out tho provisions of this Act. As regards our own County of Solwyn, tho intention is to make the revenue derivable from foes, Ac., pay all tho official expenses connected therewith, and no doubt many other counties will do tho same. This thou brings ns to tho question whether given a largo area of country with a groat number of slaughteryards scattered over it, one officer will be enabled in any way efficiently to exercise that supervision as to cleanliness, Ac., which is so absolutely necessary for the preservation of tho public health. It may bo that on the occasion of his special visit everything may bo outwardly in order, but that a very different state of things prevails when ho has proceeded to another part of his district. It must bo recollected that under the old system tho police in each district had their slaughterhouses continually under inspection. They resided in the district, and wore constantly passing, so that any breach of tho regulations would bo instantly detected. Now, however, the Inspector cannot visit each slaughter-house oftcucr than say once a month, and though no nuisance —that is palpably plain to tho neighbours —may bo existent, yet tho health of tho residents may bo seriously affected from want of care or cleanliness. It therefore seems to us a matter for tho County Council seriously to consider whether the establishment of a public abattoir would not bo far bettor than having those small slaughter yards scattered throughout the country. Facilities for communication have boon so largely improved and extended during the past few years that many of the arguments used against tho establishment of abattoirs have been rendered ineffective. By tho selection of a site a short distance from the centre of tho county, accessible by rail to all parts, tho three counties of Selwyn, Ashburton, and Ashley, would bo enabled, if they so desired, to make use of tho one public abattoir. The railway communication would allow of cattle being sent down intended for slaughter, and the meat also forwarded to tho markets in the same way. If, on consideration, it is found undesirable to have one abattoir for the three counties named, tho establishment of one for Christchurch and suburbs is most certainly necessary. As compared with the proposed system of inspection over a number of slaughterhouses the establishment of a public abattoir at once commends itself. Facility for inspection and certainly of no danger to the health of adjoining residents are the two great points which would bo gained by tho establishment of a central abattoir. A site for such a purpose could be found along the lino of railway without much trouble, and no doubt in close proximity to the district from which the main portion of our supply of cattle and sheep is drawn. Thus both the public and the butchers would bo better served. As to inspection the work would be very much simplified, and every facility would bo given to the officer to discharge Ids duties with efficiency. Of course in some parts of the district there would still have to be slaughter-houses, but tho concentration at one centre of those now scattered all over the district would enable the inspector to keep up a system of vigilant supervision, and eventually they would also merge into tho public abattoirs. In view therefore of tho very groat importance of this question from a sanitary point of view, wo hope to see it carefully considered by tho County Council. Of tho ciiimi-im-v in every respect of the system of a public abattoir as compared with that now in force, there can bo but little doubt, and therefore the Council should lose no time In considering the advisabloness of instituting it hero. They are now framing what may be called an entirely new system, and no more opportune time could occur than tho present for the discussion of the points wo have raised.