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Gear Company, I do not think it would be a hardship if that one part of the business were stopped. I should be sorry to see it stopped, but if there are twenty or thirty butchers in Wellington concerned it would be hard to ruin them simply for the benefit of one man. 59. You say you would endeavour to make the freezing companies buy closer ?—Yes, in the ■interest of the small butcher. 60. Do you not think that would be very detrimental to the farmer ?—No. If a farmer has, say, a thousand fat sheep, if they are of a certain quality he gets a certain price, if they are of a lower quality he gets a correspondingly lower price. 61. Mr. Flatman.] You do not think it would be detrimental to the grower ?—No. 62. You think the slaughterhouse-owners should be compensated. How would you arrive at the value of the plant ?—I would put on an expert, and allow a certain amount off its cost for depreciation. 63. How would you suggest that the compensation be paid, or who should pay it ?—I think, where slaughterhouses are shut up the Government should pay compensation; if meat were condemned I presume it would have to be paid for by the local authority, because they are the people who are gaining the advantage. 64. You know the different slaughtering plants in Wellington?— Yes; but not very well. 65. You do not know, do you, if they are of great value—you said you did not think so ?— I do not think they are of great value.

EXHIBIT A. To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Eepresentatives of New Zealand in Parliament assembled. The petition of the undersigned butchers, carrying on business in Christchurch and its surrounding districts, humbly showeth, —■ 1. That your petitioners have had under consideration the provisions of the Slaughtering and Inspecting Bill introduced to your honourable House during the present session of Parliament. 2. That your petitioners are of opinion that the Bill as submitted to you is likely to do your petitioners injustice, and inflict great hardship upon them. 3. That your petitioners are of opinion that the Bill requires amendment as follows:— (a.) The words " for barter or sale " in section 3 (No. 2) should be struck out. (b.) Subsection (1) of section 15 should be struck out. (c.) The word "registered" in section 16 should be struck out, and the word "public" inserted in its place. (d.) The words " and by the licensee thereof or his workmen " in section 18 should be struck out. (c.) The words " for human consumption throughout the colony " in section 26 should be struck out. 4. Your petitioners therefore pray that your honourable House will amend the Bill in the direction indicated. And your petitioners will ever pray.

EXHIBIT B. Names of butchers that have their own slaughterhouses: J. H- Hall and Co., at Otahuhu; — Johnston, at Otahuhu ; — White, at Panmure; George Baynes, at Panmure ;D. Neilson, at Onehunga; B. Salmon and Co., at Mt. Boskill; E. Wood, at Mt. Eoskill; H. Moody, at Mt. Albert; B. and W. Hellaby, at Newton; J. Benstea, at Auckland; G. White, at North Shore; Bobert Bevan, at North Shore. Licensed to slaughter behind their shops: G. Baynes, Parnell; B. Briggs, Panmure; W. Griffiths, Panmure ;J. Lumpkin, Newmarket; W. Kilgour, Newmarket. The killing of these butchers represents 75 per cent, of the whole killing of the district represented. H. Moody (Witness).

EXHIBIT C. Gentlemen, — City Council Offices, Christchurch, 28th September, 1898. I have the honour, by direction of the Council, to forward to you the amendments to the Slaughtering and Inspection Bill passed by the Council at its meeting last night, viz.: — Clause 15, subsection (1) : To be struck out. Clause 16 : To be altered so as to read " public " instead of " registered " abattoir. Clause 18 : The last eight words of the clause to be struck out. Clause 26 : Strike out the words " for human consumption throughout the colony." That this Council empowers Messrs. Forrest and Hansen to lay these amendments before theMinister in charge of the Bill. I have, &c, W. Hasduns, Messrs. Hansen and Forrester. Town Clerk.

Approximate Goat of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,625 copies) £19 10ts. By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.— lB9B. PrUt It. s—l. Bb.