THE BOROUGH COUNCIL AND THE ABATTOIRS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2290, 15 March 1887, Page 2

THE BOROUGH COUNCIL AND THE ABATTOIRS.

TO THE KDITOR. Sri!,—lf anything was wanted to show how groundless are the fears of some of those who signed that misbegotten petition re the abattoirs, that it was intended to lend public money to private, individuals, it is to be found in the terms of the proposed lease published in your issue of Saturday last. Clearly_ the council was acting squarely and fairly in the matter. To provide public abattoirs is part of the duty of a civic corporation. To do so in the case ot Hamilton for the supply of the dead meat of a large grazing district to the Auckland market, was a conception which spoke strongly for the enterprise and business acumen of the council. In the manner <>f doing it the council were equally happy. They secured a good tenant before erecting the buildimr and plant. The people endorsed their action at a public meeting held specially to consider the scheme. I fail ti) see that the council by any subsequent action has forfeited the confidence of the ratepayers in this matter. The terms of the lease are such that had they been earlier known, the half of those who signad the petition would have scouted it. The thanks of the community are due to Captain Steele, Hamilton's earliest and staunchest friend, one who has done much for but would scorn to take any meau advantage of Hamilton, for the fact that to him it is due that that town was accepted as the site of the proposed abattoirs by a syndicate able and willing to work them to their own and to our benefit. Surely those who signed the petition do not propose that the council should have itself entered on the business of working the slaughter-yards. That would be a most obviously objectionable, and, I may add, unsuccessful enterprise for a borough council to undertake. —I am, yours respectfully, Ratepayer. Hamilton, March 14th.