ABATTOIR CHARGES.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXIII, Issue 2975, 2 August 1912, Page 1

ABATTOIR CHARGES.

THE INCREASED FEES.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION.

In accordance with notice, Mr

Treanpr moved at the meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council yesterday that the resolution of the Council fixing the abattoir charges be rescinded and the matter reconsidered. •Mr Trcanor said he,did not see any necessity for increased abattoir charges at present. The abattoirs were in first class order

now, and no money tor repairs would be needed tor some time to come. If they

increased the charges the butchers would be forced to increase the price tor meat and their charges would go up a penny-a pound. This, perhaps, would not hurl those people who did their own kilting, but the people, of Pacroa and Karangahake could not afford to pay increased prices. They would be doing a wrong to the working rlass if ihcy raised the charges while the abattoirs were self-supporting. He thought that when the Council increased the charges the matter was done in a uuriy and had not been tully considered.

Mr Marrinan seconded the. motion, and said that so long as the abattoirs

paid their way there was no need to increase the chnrges. If the charges

were raised it meant that the meat consumers would have to pay the extra amount. When the abattoirs were erected the Council guaranteed-there would be no increase in the fees so long as the abattoirs paid their way.

The Chairman (Mr Coibctt) said that two months ago the Council; after lull

consideration, decided to ukrease the charges ior slaughtering, and even now they were lower than those ;it, any other abattoir in New Zealand. Those at lli<u neighbouring towns —Waihi and Thames —were considerably higher.. ' The increased charges would not justify the butchers in raising the price 6t meat a penny a pound as the extra charge did not amount to one-fitticth ot a penny per pound on the animals slaughtered. It was necessary that they should make the abattoirs pay, and even with line increase in the charges they were still very low. * ■-..'"

Mr Strange said the Council had previously gone into the matter thoroughly,* and it would be absurd to upset the arrangement previouslf made.

Mr Lloyd said the abattoirs previously had not been self-supporting as the ex- " penditure was in excess of the receipts. Even now the fees were too low.

Mr McWaiters said he had supported the increase in the charges, but there was room lor improvements to be made at the abattoirs. He considered ih'al they were justified in raising the charges seeing that even now they were very reasonable.

Mr Laughlin said he thought the charges for slaughtering cattle were a bit high but that the otfier charges were reasonable.

•Mr Treanor having replied, the motion was put to the meeting and wasj lost, only Messrs Treanor and Marrinan' voting m favour of \u

Subsequently the Council held a shoit special meeting and passed a resolution making a special order fixing the. .tb.ittoir fees on the scale agreed upon sonic few months ago.