3

H.—3B

6. The structural arrangement of the men's quarters are not open to objection on the score of insanitation. The room in which the men take their meals forms really a separate building some 7 ft. or 8 ft. distant from another building in which are the sleeping-quarters, closets, and urinal. Certainly the door of the living-room faces the opening into the urinal, but there is the above-mentioned space between quite open except for a roof covering. If kept clean, as all men's quarters should be, there is no more objection to the situation of the closets and urinal than there could to the presence of similar conveniences inside a hotel or a private house. After a careful consideration of the whole facts I am satisfied that, though in some respects cause for legitimate criticism did exist, the newspaper report was overdrawn, and the inferences as to the danger to the health of meat-consumers deduced from the conditions prevailing at the abattoir were entirely unwarrantable and unjustifiable. As a matter of fact, I understand that the manager (who is also the Government Inspector) has from time to time called the attention of the controlling authority to the necessity for paving the unpaved yards and altering the position of the blood-drain. The Chief Veterinarian also has done likewise verbally. The Council, as a whole, I believe quite realised the necessity for these improvements, but for some reason delay has occurred in carrying them out. C. J. Beakes, Assistant Chief Veterinarian. Approximate Oott of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,300 oopiea), Ml 10s.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington. —iyo7.

Price 3d