ABATTOIR FOR PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5452, 24 July 1929, Page 2

ABATTOIR FOR PLAINS.

AREA DEFINED. COUNTY COUNCIL’S DECISIONS. The Hauraki Plains County Council discussed abattoir matters at a special meeting held for the purpose on Friday last, Cr. C. W. Harris presiding over a full attendance. Thames Wakes Up. The town clerk, Thames, wrote on July 18 offering the use of its abattoir, being of the opinion that it would be an advantage to employ fully the existing facilities rather than expend considerable capital in building further works. The fees to be charged were claimed to be very reasonable. The council agreed with Cr. McDuff’s observation that “Thames had wakened up too late.” Committee’s Recommendations. The special abattoir committee Crs. Harris, Parfitt, and Fisher, submitted the following recommendations : — “That the council in delegating its powers should consider the advisability of restricting the time to 10 years. “That water be supplied as follows: (a) That the company bear the cost of a 2in connection and crossing to the abattoir; (b) that the council supply water at a flat cate of £75 per annum, with a proviso that at any time the council has reason to believe that waste of water is occurring it may instal a meter at the expense cf the company and charge for water at a rate of 2s 6d per -1000 gallons. “That the council accept dedication of road to abattoir provided the company first fences, forms, and metals saine to the satisfaction of the county engineer. “That a saving clause be inserted in the agreement of delegation protecting the council against any variation or infringement of the terms of the delegation. “That no preference in slaughter of stock be extended by the company to any of its members over any person desiring stock to be slaughtered at the abattoir who is not a member of the company. “That in consideration of the council delegating its power to the- cony pany, the company shall urdertake to carry out all the terms of the delegation for the term of ten years. “That the council employ a solicitor before finally fixing the terms of delegation of its powers.” The committee also suggested that all butchers at present slaughtering in the county be invited to attend the special meeting of the coucil to state their views regarding the area to be constituted, and that Mr C. ,J. Garland be requested to attend the meeting and act on the council’s behalf. In di'-eussing the recommendations it was explained that the company proposed having its abattoir built on Mr W. G. Hayward’s farm, Orchard East Rond, Ngatea.

Mr Garland, the council’s solicitor, Messrs C. Scott, L. James, G. Courtney, ar.’d E. L. Walton, of the Hauraki Plains Meat Co., Ltd., and C. Adams, butcher, cf Waitakaouru, were admitted to the meeting. The recommenda tions of the abattoir committee were then adopted, and it was decided to employ Mr C. J. Garland as the council’s solicitor for the purpose of drawing up the deed of delegation. In regard to the area to be defined Mr Walton, solicitor for the newly formed company, said that it stood where it did before, and he. did not wish to influence the council in any way. Mr Adams said that he would like to see the northern part of the county excluded. It would be impossible for his firm to bring cattle to Ngatea for killing. It was about 15 miles. It was only recently that he had spent £lOOO. In his opinion it was unfair. In answer to Cr. Mayn Mr Adams said he had the opportunity to join the company, but they rejected his terms '

Cr. Madgwick,asked Mr Adams if he agreed with inspection of meat. Mr A dams • There is not d man living who would object to inspection. The chairman said that it would be a hardship on Mr Adams. At the same time, applications had been received by the council for inspected meat during the last two years. Mr Walton said that all the slaughterhouses in the area defined would have to be scrapped. He would not say that Mr Adams’ loss would not be greater than those of the other butchers.

Cr. Aladgwick said that whether the company went on with the project or not, the council would have to go on with it. Public opinion was forcing the issue. The chairman said that at ( a fairly well attended meeting at Pipiroa it eras the unanimous wish to be left out of the area. Cr.'Ma'dgwick asked if it was possible to ha r . e inspection at Mr Adams’ slaughterhouse. Mr Walton suited that it would cost £lO a month. Mr Adams said he would like to know where Mr Walton had got that information, from. Mr Walton replied that his information was from an officer of the Agriculture Department. Cr. Reid raised the question of the Paeroa butchers who sold inspected meat, in the Nether ton district, and asked if the Netherton riding was to be included in the abattoir area. Mr Garland explained that hanging fees would have to be paid. This was done in many places. Mr Walton said that the company was prepared to leave the matter of fixing these hanging fees to the Agriculture Department. In any case, the fees would not be sufficient to prevent any butcher from another abattoir area coming in. Cr. Madgwick moved that the whole county be the abattoir area. This failed to find a seconder. The butchers then retired. Cr. Motion moved that portions of the Waitalmruru and Patetonga ridings be left out of the area. This was seconded by the chairman. Cr. Reid moved as an amendment

that Waitakaruru and Pipiroa ridings be left out of the area. Seconded by Cr. McDuff. Cr. Hale said that if the council was building the abattoir the’whole county except Patetonga, owing to lack of roading facilities, would be the area. He moved that the abattoir area be the whole of the county excepting Patetonga. Seconded by Cr. Madgwick. Cr. Reid withdrew his amendment in favour of Cr. Hale’s. On being put to the meeting the voting was : For the amendment, Crs. Reid, Fisher, Hale, Madgwick and McDuff: against, Crs. Harris, Parfitt, and Motion. The chairman therefore moved as a special order that the area be defined as the whole of the county, with the exception of the Patetonga riding. This was seconded by Cr. Madgwick and carried. Cr. Hale moved that the deed of delegation be referred back to the committee to confer with Mr Garland. This was seconded by Cr. Madgwick and carried.