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76. Do you think that the Gear Company, so far as their retail trade here is concerned, ought to kill at the abattoirs? —That is a very open question. 1 %ink, if they paid the fees upon all meat killed for the trade here, they would be contributing sufficiently towards the abattoirs. Some butchers think that all meat killed for local consumption should be killed in the municipal abattoirs, but I think that if the companies paid the fees they would be doing something towards it, and it would put us all on the same footing. 77. It is a similar arrangement they have in Christchurch?—l believe it is. 78. And you think that would answer well? —Yes, I think that is the fairest way. 79. Mr. Lawry.] Do you kill many pigs in your trade? —No, sir. 80. Have you made yourself familiar with clause 3of this Bill?— Yes. 81. Do you think it is necessary with regard to pigs that the heads shall not be removed and the pluck shall be left adhering to the dressed carcase by the windpipe until the carcase is to be cut up for retail sale or for curing?— Yes, I think that is necessary. If you are going to have strict and fair inspection of meat you should of course inspect the whole carcase, and the pluck should certainly be inspected. 82. Mr. Kirkbride.] Do I understand you, Mr. Garrett, to say that you have never had any stock slaughtered at the Meat-export slaughterhouses excepting on emergency?— That is so. 83. What is their charge for killing?—Bs., I believe. That covers cost of delivery. 84. That covers the railage into Wellington?—No, the cartage. 85. Y T ou anticipate that public abattoirs would be a financial success?— Yes, sir. 86. Mr. McLachlan.] You say the small butchers buy small lots from the farmers which are not suitable for the freezing companies. Is that correct?—No; we buy small lines, say, forty or fifty sheep, for instance, which might not be suitable for freezing. The quality would be all right, but there would not be the quantity. 87. Hon. Mr. Pitt.] Do you know why the local authorities in Wellington object to erect abattoirs? —They look at the expense, and they think it would be a white elephant. 88. Hon. the Chairman.] Would you charge the companies the full rate? Suppose they do all their work, at home, would you still charge them the full rate?—l should charge them for killing, but not for carving. 89. The full rate?— Yes. 90. Would it not be hard on the people who sold to the companies?— The people who sell to the companies do so for the purpose of freezing for export. 91. But is it not necessary to the successful working of these companies that they should have an outlet of this sort? —Yes, that is so; but I think the idea has been all along that they should pay their killing-fees, and I believe they also express themselves as willing to do so. 92. Hon. Mr. Duncan.] Would you sooner stop as you are, without abattoirs and without inspection? —Well, I think the time is coming now when all places should be inspected, and I do not see how you could have an inspection over every place unless you bring the killing together in some way or other. Mr. John Rod, Butcher, examined. (No. 3.) 93. Hon. the Chairman.] What is you name?— John Rod. 94. Occupation?— Butcher. 95. Where? —In Wellington and Porirua. 96. You have heard the evidence, and you understand the Bill?— Yes, sir. 1 object to the delegation of powers by the Municipal Corporation with regard to abattoirs to the companies upon the same lines as Mr. Gadsby and Mr. Garrett. I know there is a very strong agitation about this clause. Ido not think that a city like Wellington should be without public abattoirs. Let us have public abattoirs, and the city will get the benefit in years to come. 97. Are there any other points in the Bill you wish to draw attention to?— No. 98. Mr. Rhodes.] What is your experience as to present inspection?— Well, there is practically no inspection. A man comes round now and again, but there is practically no inspection of the meat. 99. You have heard what the other witnesses have said with regard to the companies. Is that also your experience?— Yes, I think so. 100. Do you ever do any business with them?— Very little; just odds and ends. 101. Mr. Lawry.] Your slaughterhouse is at Porirua?—Yes, sir. 102. Are you satisfied if present conditions continue?— -I would sooner go on under present conditions. 103. The next best thing would be to have public abattoirs? —Yes, sir. 104. It would be more economical for you? —Yes. 105. Mr. McLachlan.] You are not under inspection now?— No. 106. Hon. Mr. Duncan.] Would you be prepared to pay for inspection?— That all depends upon the cost. 107. Do you think public inspection not necessary in New Zealand? —Well, I do not know. There is very little disease in bullocks now. It is principally amongst the cows. 108. But you have seen bullocks diseased? —Yes, sir. Mr. Isaac Sykes, Manager of the Banks Meat Company, examined. (No. 4.) 109. Hon. the Chairman.] What is your name? —Isaac Sykes. 110. And your occupation?—l am manager of the Banks Meat Company, Kaiwarra. 111. You have read the Bill?— Yes, sir. 112. And you have heard the evidence already given to the Committee?— Yes, sir. 113. Will you make a statement to the Committee? —The clause I wish to refer to is clause 4. Before proceeding further I should like to explain to the Committee how our company is com-