A DISQUIETING REPORT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8494, 25 July 1907, Page 5

A DISQUIETING REPORT.

CHRISTCHURCH ABATTOIR. By Telegraph—Press] Association. CHRISTCHURCH, July 23. A Press reporter who visited the municipal abattoirs at Sockburn, today, made some unpleasant discoveries. He found that the necks of carcases of beef awaiting delivery were hung within 3ft of the floor, and at the time of his visit a couple of dogs were roaming at will beneath these carcases, actually brushing the necks of some of the larger bodies with their tails. Carcases are hung for the purpose of cooling in the same apartment as that in which the actual killing is done. When a beast's throat is cut the blood gushes out upon a concrete floor, but owing to the arrangements the blood cannot get away, and consequently congeals into a fearsome locking mass. This substance lay nearly an inch deep on the floor at the time of the reporter's inspection, and as one unfortunate creature crashed out of the pithing pen on to the flo'or its kicks and struggles sent showers of congealed horror in all directions, spattering even a carcase hung up -in the last stages of dressing. The men have to slush through the patches and pools of blood in pursuit of their duties, much of it naturally getting upon their hands, and from thence to the newly-skinned carcases upon which they are operating. Outside the pens and race for both cattle and sheep appeared to be inconvenient. In regard to the latter, there seemed to be great difficulty in getting the sheep up the inclined plane to the slaughtering floor. Most of the pens are paved with concrete, and are either flat or else have a fall from the centre that is imperceptible. The sheep awaiting slaughter naturally are thus confined for some considerable time, and those seen yesterday were in a pitiable plight. The flooring of the pens was covered to the depth of over halt an inch with liquid filth, in which most of the sheep had lain. There are surface drains in plenty surrounding the pens, but the filth somehow does not seem to escape into them. Yesterday these gutters were standing half full of dark, evil-looking liquid in a stagnant condition. Want of fresh water-flushing was apparent everywhere. It was manifestly impossible for the men to dress in a thoroughly cleanly and wholesome condition when the sheep they had to handle were bedaubed with such filth-as was to be seen. Most of the cattle-pens were paved with concrete, but here again useless gutters were in evidence, and a superabundance of filth upon the flooring. The paved pens were absolute cleanliness itself compared with the almost indescribable condition of the unpaved cattle-pens. In these cattle were seen standing over their hoofs and nearly up to their hocks in manure and urine, churned up into a festering morass repulsive enough to turn the strongest stomach. When the unfortunate creatures are wild, or are sought to be driven .ip the race, they surge and plunge through the hideous quagmire, carrying masses of the filth into the slaughtering department. The Chairman of the City Council Abattoir Committee (Councillor W. H. Cooper) 'explained that extensive repairs, including concrete flooring," to'the different pens and races were in contemplation by the council, which, when effected, would dissipate most of the present grounds for complaint. The other shortcomings, he further explained, might also be overcome without serious difficulty. ALLEGATIONS REPUDIATED. Mr G. Payling, Mayor of Christchurch, who is at present in Wellington, was interviewed by a Post representative, regarding the statement made in the above telegram. Mr Payling was indignant, and he flatly and uncompromisingly contradicted the allegation*.

By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 24. Interviewed this evening, Mr C. J. Reakes, Acting-Chief Veterinarian in the Department of Agriculture, said that he was astounded to find such serious statements as had been made about the Sockburn abattoir grounded on such flimsy evidence. He would like to know what tangible objection could be raised to the hanging of dressed carcases in the killing department. Then, about the congealed blood. It had to be remembered that when work was in active progress a slaughter-house could not be as presentable as a drawingroom. When he last visited the abattoir, six weeks ago, the place was thoroughly clean and well kept. He was amazed at such alarmist statements being put into circulation.