SLAUGHTERED CALVES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10611, 9 June 1920, Page 6

SLAUGHTERED CALVES

BUTCHER JPROSEGUTED CARCASES UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.' Arising out of a recent case in which two dairy farmers were heavily fined for selling newly-born calves, Thomas Swinburne Merrall, pork butcher, of Newtown, was proceeded against by the. City Corporation on charges of selling moat. slaughtered elsewhere than at a registered abattoir, and with exposing moat for sale that bad been slaughtered at an -Unregistered slaughterhouse. Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., was on tho bench, Mr J. O’Shea (City Solicitor) represented tho City Corporation, and Mr H. F. O'Leary appeared for the defendant. “UNFIT ,FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.” Mr O’Shea said that- proceedings had been taken under section 17 of the Slaughtering and Inspection of Meat Act. Tho meat in question consisted of two calves, ono of which had been slaughtered at Miramar and the other at South Karo-ri, at other than a public abattoir. When an inspector pf stock visited the defendant’s premises ho found two calves hanging behind some pigs, and they could be seen from the front shop. Tho inspector, who was responsible for reporting the matter, was unable to bo. present, but Mr Webb and the stock inspector later saw the calves which were then in a “chiller.” There had been a considerable amount of illicit killing of calves; tho two traced to the defend-* ant were not fit for human consumption. DEFENDANT’S ADMISSIONS. Thomas Charles Webb, Inspector of Stock, stated that in response to a report he received from Mr Walters, meat inspector, he visited the defendant’s premises and asked the manager if he had any calves. He was shown two calves which were pulled out of a ‘"chiller.” There was no abattoir brand pn tho meat, and the defendant admitted that he had got the calves from a man named Telford. The calves when weighed turned.the scale at-321b each. They were in an emaciated condition, of a dove colour, and as the moat was unfit for human consumption, it was condemned.. The accused said it was his intention to use the meat in small goods. It was stated that Inspector Walters, who first discovered tho calve*, was at present dangerously ill, and not able to appear. 'To Mr O’Leary: The shop and surroundings were in a clean and apparently wholesome condition. The calves could not be used for anything but small-goods. The defendant was candid, and as a result of the information ho supplied, two dairy farmers were prosecuted. Thomas £5. Mcrra-U said his partner purchased the calves, and they were paid for by contra account. They wore hanging up behind some pigs off the shop, and could nob ho scon by customers. Witness sent for Inspector Walters to examine some pigs, and it was then that he saw the calves. To Mr O’Shea : The calves were sent to the New Zealand . Dandle Company for hoiling-down purposes. One or the calves had been purchased for a week when the inspector called, and the other for a day or two. Arthur Caleb Jantke, partner of the last witness, gave similar evidence. William Wylie, grocer," Newtown, deposed to the excellent manner, in which the defendant kept his premises and to the wholesomeness of the victuals retailed. , , . ' After Mr O'Leary had addressed tbs court on tho facts, and had quoted authorities in support of his contention that the information should he dismissed on the ground that there had been no exposure for sale and that no sale had taken place, the magistrate reserved, his decision and expressed his intention of visiting tho premises. __________