ABATTOIR FOR PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5436, 17 June 1929, Page 1

ABATTOIR FOR PLAINS.

PROPOSITION BY BUTCHERS. COUNCIL DELEGATES POWER. A proposition concerning the provision of an abattoir for the Hauraki Plains was put before the County Council at its meeting on Thursday last by a deputation comprising Messrs E. L. Walton, C. Scott, and L. James, representing the butchers of the district. Mr Walton apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr W. G. Hayward, and stated that his clients had noticed the agitation for an abattoir and were quite favourable to the proposition and anxious to have all the meat inspected. A county council could establish an abattoir or could delegate to any person or persons power to establish and run an abattoir. In either case it would be a public institution to which any person could bring stock to be slaughtered under Government inspection. The butchers of the county desired the council to delegate its power to them. This would save the council from going to the ratepayers for a loan and from the trouble of managing the concern, but the council could, by its delegation, fix the charges, etc. The control of an abattoir was very much in the hands of the Government inspector.

In reply to Or. Madgwick Mr Walton said that the council would fix a scale of charges for the public, but the local butchers, who would own and run the concern, would not pay fees. Or. Madgwick said he could not understand why the butchers did not want the council to provide the abattoir.

Mr Walton said that if the council did not go ahead it would take a year or two before the concern was in working order, and in addition the butchers considered that they could run the abattoir cheaper than would the local body. The council would fix the district to be served by the abattoir, and the fees, but the site and class of building would be determined by the Agricultural Department. Mr C. Scott interjected during a free discussion by councillors and said that if the council would put up an abattoir within three months the butchers would withdraw their proposition. They wanted ’ something done quickly, as soma of them were faced ■with expense in providing new slaughterhouses.

Cr. Hale agreed to the proposition, as the council, being able to revoke the license at aaiy time, would not be conferring a monopoly. In reply to a question the clerk said that if the council provided the abattoir it would hsive to pay a proportion of the inspector's salary, the wages of two slaughtermen, the interest and sinking fund on the loan for the building, etc., and the running costs. These costs would be met by fees, which would be passed on by the butchers to their 'customers.

Cr. C. W. Parfitt supported the proposition, and moved that the council give favourable consideration to the question of delegating its powers to the butchers. The only point he wanted enlightenment on was that of the location of the abattoir, as he would wish to see it in a central position that would serve all butclwrs.

In reply, Mr Walton said he had been authorised to say that if the Agricultural Department was agreeable the site would be a central one, at or near Ngatea.

It was decided that the council delegate its powers to the. persons decided upon by a conferensce between the butchers interested and a committee comprising Crs. Harris, Parfitt, and Fisher.

In returning thanks Mr Walton mentioned that the butchers interested would form themselyes into a company.