PUBLIC ABBATOIRS.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 8, 26 May 1894, Page 10

PUBLIC ABBATOIRS.

HOW MONEY IS LOST. (to the editor). Sii:, —The question of transmission of disease in cattle to human beings is now attracting considerable attention. The increase of cancer of late years is alarming, and medical men are attempting to trace the connection between its existence in the human subject and disease in animals killed for' general consumption. The researches of Pasteur and others in reference tothe distribution of bacilli and the germs of disease have thrown considerable light on the matter, and more knowledge ere long will be developed. In the meantime the promise of the Colonial Treasurer of

New Zealand, to bring in a bill dealing with the public slaughter of cattle, and the action of the Invercargill Borough Council in the same direction are certainly commendable. It is hoped that the Hon. Mr Ward will not lose sight of the matter, but will bring it to a successful'conclusion. No good can come of any Act unless it is made compulsory on the part of all persons who kill animals for public sale that they be killed under proper inspection at public abbatoirs. If this is done, and a competent inspector appointed, it will prevent diseased animals coming into consumption by the people. The protection of the public health in the way indicated will doubtless b© the main object of any measure dealiug with the question ; but the establishment of such abbatoirs will also serve another very useful purpose. Few people, outside of those dealing in skins and hides, have any idea of the great amount of money that is annually lost to the community owing to the very careless and unskilful manner in which, in many cases, skins and hides are taken off carcases. The advent of freezing works was marked by tome improvement in these respect*, but even now those competent toJjudge affirm the value of these hides and skins is frequently reduced by 50 per cent, from careless handling. Even when holes are not actually cut through the skins and pelts, there ie so much “scoring” that in dressing them their value is depreciated to fully the extent above-men-tioned. Auctioneers and others constantly have their attention drawn to this fact. They direct the notice of their clients to it, and point out that very often top values fail to be realised through want of attention in this respect, but in the majority of cases their reminders go unheeded. This leakage would be remedied by the killing of cattle under proper supervision at public abbatoirs. It is an important factor from an economic point of view, and cannot be overlooked in considering the subject. Then, again, there is at present a want of attention to the saving of hides and pelts even when they are taken off properly. In too many cases sheepskins are half-rotten, rateaten and discoloured, while hides, for the want of sufficient salt and proper handling, are- what is called “ slippy.” The hair comes off through the partial decomposition of the hide, and it is then of comparatively little value to those who have to work it up. The establishment of central works for slaughtering purposes would remedy this, as the necessary facilities and appliances would be at hand, and the x’esponsihility of properly preserving the skins and hides would then rest on one or other of the officials employed. The whole of what is called the “fifth quarter ” could be very much better dealt with at central works.—Yours, etc., Pbo Bono Puiujco.