OUR SLAUGHTERYARDS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2654, 16 July 1889, Page 2

OUR SLAUGHTERYARDS.

TO TllK KIIITOK. Slit, —I was told very recently, in tho course of conversation with a resident of Hamilton, whose reliability cannot be doubted, a few facts in connection with the three slaughtering places occupied by the butcher* of Hamilton, which filled me with horror and disgust. My informant assured mo that there is no pretence made at these [daces t<-> observe the most ordinary sanitary requirements. The yards are a mass of filth, emitting a stench suffered to turn the stomach of many hardened mortals. Pigstyes are kept in very closo piMximity d> th« slaughter-house wherein meat intended for human consumption is hung. The foul odours arising from such surroundings must inevitably taint the meat, and mako it exceedingly dangerous as food. Indeed, mv informant is convinced in his own mind that the tiue seat of thu lulu typhoid epidemic was at one or umru of these abominable establishments. What caused me disgust more than anything was the statement that the water, in tanks, wliii.h is used for wa.-hing tho carcases is sj foul thai huge maggots are sporting about in it. If all this is true, and a? I have already said, 1 cannot doubt my informant, it is the most disgraceful and atrocious conduct I have ever met with. What can the slaughter-yards so described be during summer weather? And what a rirk the nucmi ici: us inhabitants an: incurring as victims of such criminal carelessness. The slaughterhouses an; never inirpectsd ; there does not appear to be nny appointed ollieer to look after them, It is however, high time there was some stringent supervision, and 1 would ask, Who are the proper authorities see to this?—l am, ifcc., H'OI'SKUO) 1>!"K. Hamilton, 13th July.