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It is carried on the same as in the Old Country. It should be done in all warm climates. We want to get the animals into the shop, and we clear away the refuse immediately. There is no disease in the district, though the locality is the centre of Parnell. I have had members from this House and shown them through the place. They were astounded to find how I could carry it on. I put in the sheep forty or fifty at a time. We feed them on hay and water. They are not jostled about as in the public abattoirs. There you might find ten of yours and twenty of mine, and they would be continually rousting the animals about to pick out yours from mine. People have remarked that my meat is as good as the best-dressed meat, and people could not say otherwise. In London, where I learnt my trade, we were allowed to kill in the centres; and I am sure I can carry on my trade just as well as they can in London. The Local Board and Borough Council have given their support against this Bill.—Eeferring to clause 16, subclause (1), witness said: I read it that we shall not be allowed to kill our own stuff. It would be hardly fair for us to be compelled to have our meat killed at the public abattoirs when we have a better class of men than they have. I might say that, if that is to become law, how are we going to get the rising generation to learn the trade ? If boys are forbidden from starting from the floor to the block in the slaughterhouses, I do not see how it can be done. I do not see that I can go any further. I thought it would be as well to let you know how I have carried on this small license. I may say Newmarket people have got their license for killing in the back-yard, and they have had it for seven or eight years ; but I have had it for twenty years, and have never had a complaint yet. 44. Hon. the Chairman.] The Committee also understand that, as you represent the Auckland butchers, you represent them as being opposed to this Bill ? —Yes. 45. And you have the same opinion as the Auckland district butchers with regard to public abattoirs ?—Yes. 46. And when slaughtering at the back of your premises how do you proceed with regard to the blood, &e. ? —It is received into a pit 2 ft. deep, and, after killing, carted away. 47. Mr. Lawry.] That is, you have appliances for carrying the blood off after the beast has been killed ?—Yes. 48. I suppose you are aware that Messrs. Hellaby Bros., the biggest firm, is situated in a very thickly populated place ? —Yes. 49. And you have never heard complaint of them ? —Only on one occasion, when they were spreading manure. 50. You are of opinion, as a practical man, that every slaughterhouse is a business, and should be so considered ? —It should be studied. 51. I think you have a slaughterhouse at Ellerslie?—Yes. 52. Prior to your taking possession of it there were continual complaints from people ?—Yes. 53. Since you have had it these complaints have entirely ceased ?—They have ceased. I have had it now some six years. 54. You are satisfied from your experience as a butcher that with the paddocks around your slaughterhouse, and killing the meat there, you can bring it into better condition than by killing it in the public abattoirs ? —Far better. I have plenty of water in my paddocks, and a river too. 55. You are of opinion that the local body there is entirely opposed to public slaughterhouses ? —I am. 56. Mr. Flatman.] You think it is the right thing to be able to kill cattle at these slaughterhouses ? —Yes ; lambs, sheep, and calves—not swine. 57. There has been no complaint with any of you who have that privilege?—Not one that I am aware of. 58. Mr. Lang.] I would like to ask if the witness holds the same view with regard to destroying cattle as the last witness ? —Yes, I think it is a very unfair thing, if he has bought the cattle the butcher should be the sufferer. I think the farmer who brings them into the market should be responsible. 59. But you say the public should bear the cost, according to the last witness's opinion?— Well, I say the public should pay for it. They are asking for this, and they should pay for it. 60. Mr. Buchanan.] There are not many businesses where the stock bought are put up by auction, and sold as they stand ?—I presume there may be things of that sort, but I think it is very arbitrary that a man who never saw an animal before, buys it, and, if it is condemned, has to bear the whole loss of it. For instance, if I buy half a dozen bullocks, and the Inspector condemns three of them, then I have only three to go on with instead of six. It is not fair that I should bear all that loss. 61. But with compensation that complaint would be disposed of?—Oh, yes ! 62. But, supposing the farmer buys a lot of cattle, and tuberculosis develops, in, say, 2 per cent., 3 per cent., or 4 per cent, of them, would you provide compensation for him too as against the seller ?—You mean that these cattle had been to the market to the butcher ? 63. Yes, but he presently finds them diseased?—I find under the present condition of things he can only get half of their value from the Government. 64. Where do you slaughter you cattle ?—At Ellerslie, six miles away from my shop. 65. You say that by killing your cattle in ones and twos and small lots you are able to dispose of them nicely. Are you not aware that when cattle are at all shy you have more trouble with them when you get them in little lots ? So that the abattoir could deal better with that class of cattle than a small butcher ?—I do not think so by a long way, because I might buy a couple of bullocks and take them away without any trouble. 66. Mr. Symes.] Do I understand you to say that the public of Auckland are asking for the inspection of meat ? —Not that I have heard of. It is the people here in Wellington who are asking for it. 67. But you are speaking of Auckland ?—Yes; we have it already. We have inspection of both dead and alive. I have had it ever since I have been in business.