RE CITY ABATTOIRS

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 18, 21 January 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

RE CITY ABATTOIRS

(To the Editor.) Sir,—During this last few months I have carefully watched the City Council's action in regard to the removal of the abattoirs, and have come to the conclusion that at least one member of the Council has an axe to grind. Since we have a majority of councillors who appear to be working- in the interest of the general public, the time is ripe for the pnblic to move in the matter. Several reasons are put forward in support of the removal of the abattoirs, but none of them will hold water. First, Sir, there is the alleged contamination of the Auckland water supply. Since the closing of the piggery no drainage flows towards the spring; even though the piggery and yards drained in that direction, it is impossible for the drainage .to soak into the spring, as there is an intervening and never-failing creek, sometimes a chain wide, being the drainage from Symonds-street Cemetery, Kingsland, Newton, and Archhill, augmented by the overflow from the sn/ring in question. This creek is 10 or 12ft below the level of the spring, and is from two to five chains away from the edge of the spring, which is encased by a wall of puddled clay. Is it possible for the abattoir drainage to cross a creek and soak up J hill for several chains and finally do more than the inside pressure can do, viz., percolate puddled clay? For 25 years these abattoirs have been in use, and have not contaminated the water supply. Why so now? The water is more likely to be contaminated through Mount Albert sewerage than from any other source. In regard to travelling- stock, all stock should be compelled to be yarded by 7 a.m. If new saleyards are required, there is an ideal spot close to the abattoirs, also close to the railway. As for the "extension of Auckland," the abattoirs cannot possibly retard this as they are in the heart of f ellmongery tannery, and boiling-down establishments. But, Sir, the extension of the city must eventually close the spring's for domestic purposes. Are the people of Auckland going to pay another half-penny per pound for their meat without nrotest? The Minister for Agriculture should be approached on the matter with a view to having- the old site retained. The present site is one of the best in the colony. With modern buildings and proper pianagement, the Auckland City Abattoirs would be. a credit to all concerned. I admit they are at present a disgrace to even a sleeping community.—l am, etc., ROBERT M. GILLESPIE. Grey Lynn, January 17, 1903.