THE PROPOSED PUBLIC ABATTOIRS FOR HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2272, 1 February 1887, Page 2

THE PROPOSED PUBLIC ABATTOIRS FOR HAMILTON.

A special meeting of the Hamilton Borough Counsel was held yesterday afternoon for the purpose of conferring with Capt. Steele, on the question of the proposed abattoirs. There were present His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Barton, Knox, Von Sturmer, Jones, Bell, Tippen and Edgecuinbe.

The Mayor in opening the meeting referred to the great interest Capt. Steele had taken in the matter. Whatever might be the opinion of the council there could be no doubt that in the near future slaughter yards would be required for the Waikato. The interests of Hamilton were closely indentified with those of the fanning community, and though the advantages held out were not perhaps sufficient to induce the burgesses to put their hands in their pockets to pay the annual charge yet it was enough ho thought to induce them to advance the money, so to speak, for establishing the concern. The council would first hear what Capt. Steele had to say, and then it would be necessary to take the burgesses into their confidence, seeing that an undertaking had been given that the balance of the £(1000 now lying at the bank should not be operated on without the consent of the ratepayers. He read Capt. Steele's letter, intimating that he was prepared to give a guarantee, and asking the Mayor to convene a meeting of the council, and called upon Capt. Steele to address the council. Capt. Steele said the abattoir business had been a "fad" of his as well as Mr Graham's. A great deal of uphill work would have to be encountered, but he felt sure that with perseverance the undertaking would be a success. He then gave the names of eight gentlemen associated with him in making up the guarantee required by the council. The list included the names of some of the most influential settlers in the Waikato. He was not just now prepared to go into the question of site or of terms, but he thought it would be a fair thing to give the guarantors a lease of 14 years at (! per cent, for the first seven years and 7 per cent, for the second term. As more money would be required than the £1000 he thought the council should agree to some arrangement by which the guarantors would be protected against loss. He had no doubt in his own mind about the ultimate success of the scheme. At first he had no doubt they would meet with all sorts of difficulties—they would doubtless be boycotted—but they must persevere. There could be no doubt that if the farmers of Waikato were to live they must do something for themselves. By and by there would no doubt be a candle factory in Waikato. Regarding the question of site, he and those acting with him (whose numbers he hoped would shortly be increased) would be prepared to go iuto the matter with the Mayor and Council.

Cr. Tippen said before the council agreed to the proposal they should know what benefit the borough would derive from the scheme. Personally, of course, he was strongly in favour of the scheme, but there were some objectors, whose scruples it would be necessary to remove.

Capt. Steele said he did not think the council should enter into an agreement without taking the most stringent measures for the protection of the council. In the first place, the guarantors should be compelled to keep the abattoirs ; and, secondly, they should not be allowed to release without its permission. They should also be held down to keep the premises in good order. He and his friends fully meant that the abattoirs should be a great benefit to the whole of the Waikato. For the first year or two they would have uphill work, but eventually they must succeed. Concerning Cr. Tippen's question, he thought the abattoirs would be a great benefit to Hamilton. The Mayor said he was authorised by Messrs Mitchell and Pegler, of Raglan, to say that they would take one share in the guarantee for the payment of interest. He hoped the council would fully discuss the matter. Replying to questions, the Mayor said the abattoirs would have to be erected by the council up to the value of £1000, and the council would also frame by-laws and regulations for the management of the establishment. After some further discussion Cr. Barton moved "That in the opinion of this council it is advisable to allocate a sum of £1000 towards the erection of abattoirs in the Borough of Hamilton, and that a committee be appointed, consisting of the Mayor, Crs. Knox, Edgecumbe and Tippen to confer with the guarantors and draft an agreement, to submit to the council at a future meeting." Cr. Edgecumbe, in seconding the motion, said he could scarcely believe there was a ratepayer in the borough who would, after having had the scheme explained to him, decline to sanction the allocation of the £1000. He felt quite sure that Capt. Steele and those acting with him were actuated by a desire to deal honourably with the council and the ratepayers. The conditions that gentleman had suggested, whereby the guarantors would never be in a position to dispose of their interests to any ring or clique in Auckland were very desirable. The motion was then put and carried. Capt. Steele said he would like to be able to put before his friends some information in reference to the site proposed, so that they would be in a position to say whether the site was suitable or not. For one thing the building must be on the railway line. As for the Act, that was merely a matter of detail, and could be attended to by the council's solicitor. The Mayor said, in reference to the site, the council recognised that it would be necessary to have the abattoirs on the north side of the line in consequence of the railway sidings being all on that side. Further than this he wished the guarantors to inspect the land available for a site. When the guarantors had arrived at a conclusion they might communicate with the council. Capt. Steele agreed with this, but would like the council to point out the sites available. Considerable discussion ensued. Cr. Barton moved that the committee already appointed confer with the syndicate of guarantors as to the question of the site. This was duly seconded and carried. The committee having agreed to meet at 3 p.m. on Monday, the meeting terminated. Subsequently some members of the committee proceeded in company with C.ipt. Steel to inspect some of the sites proposed within the borough.