The Dunedin Abattoirs.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 104, 5 February 1901, Page 3

The Dunedin Abattoirs.

[By. Our Spkcul Reporter.]

(Continued.)

It is amongst'' oattle and pigs that most cases of disease have, been met with, the numbor of infected sheep being very small. -Daring the two years thnt the abittoira have been in existence no less than cattle have been condomued. This speaks for itself, and when it is calculated how many persons would have partaken of such a number some idea of the value of the institution may be gained. It is pleasing to uorieo that tlie number of condemned animals is decreasing, if but slowly. This is attributed to the efforts of the stock inspectors and to the fact that the butchers are now more careful in the selection of their stock, being unwilling to run the risk of sending a beast that they consider is not perfectly healthy. The following is the result of one moath's work, the month being picked at random : October, 1899. Slaughtered. Condemned. Cattle, 1234 60 Sheep, 7044 S2 Pig;, 200 14 . Caivas, 78 . Co»dt>m:ipd cattle are slightly under 4 per ceur., i>ho<.>> ii-alai' £ per cent, and pigs 7 p-.T cr.it. C;«.ule average generally from 2 to 5 per cent, and pig* anything up to 10 per cont. During the first six months working, 211 cattle and 183 sheep were condemned, and for the same period j.ist ended the numbers were, cattle- 05, and sheep 9. , The first sis rmnth3 was the worst period of that length yet had. Altogether the abattoir has justified its existence, and having passed the experimental stage, has become, in the southern city to be lookad upon as a necessity. It is to be hoped, ere long, that all tha tow« 3 of any 3ize in the colouy will coin:} to look upon the matter in tha same light, Our thank 3 are due to the manager and caretaker of the abattoirs for their courtesy during our inspection of the works.