SOCKBURN ABATTOIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 176, 25 July 1907, Page 6

SOCKBURN ABATTOIRS.

CBy Telegraph.—rress Association.)

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT.

CBy. Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

Id the House to-day, Mr. Davey '(Christchurch) asked, without notice, ■whether the Attention of the Government ■had been called to a telegram, from ChristchuTch appearing in the Press disclosing a disgusting condition of afiairs in connection with the Soekburn abattoirs, and wht ther the Government would secure a departmental report on the matter?

Sir Joseph Ward replied that he had read the article referred to, and it indicated a very dreadful state of affairs. He thought it so important to consumers of meat, that an independent xeport on the abattoirs would be procured.

WELLINGTON, this day.

Interviewed this evening, Mr. C. JJleakes, acting-chief veterinarian in the Department of Agriculture, said he was astounded to find such serious statements as had been made about the Soekburn abattoir grounded on such flimsy evidence. He would like to know TKOat tangible objection could be raised to the hanging of dressed carcases in. the killing apartment. Then, about congealed blood, io had. to be remembered that when work was in active progress a slaughterhouse could not be as presentable as a drawingroom. When he last visited the abattoir six weeks ago the place was thoroughly clean and well kept. He was amazed at such alarmist statements being put into circulation.

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS' DEFENCE.

ABATTOIR MANAGER INTERVTEWED.

<By Telegraph.—Press Association.} CHEJSTCHUBCH, Mx. H. S. Kyle, manager of the abattoir, in an interview, aid the circumstance of dogs roaming about beneath the carcases of beef in the slaughtering apartment at the time of the re c porters' visit on Tuesday was most unfortunate. It Tras a. stringent rule of the establishment, and one -which be endeavoured to hare strictly enforced, that no dogs should be permitted upon tha premises. "Wihen so many dogs are ■working abont the place, assisting to yard the sheep and cattle," Mr. Kyle continued, "it is difficult to keep them from straying indoors accidentally, but at the same time, everybody connected ■with the establishment is aware of my rule, that they should be kept outside, and this everybody strives to see carried out." In reference to the inspection of the meat, I may say this work is accomplished aa thoroughly as in any ■part of the colony. Proceeding to discuss -the condition of the pens and races, Mr. Kyle said, the committee should never have erected the brick fences. They were in the same condition =wlien he took charge as they ■were now." I pointed this oat to the committee over a year ago, and asked them repeatedly to remedy the matter. The concreting of the sheep pens and of half of tie cattle pens has been done since I came here. IMy assistant and I drafted rough plans for the exieirsiaa of the pens, and the -committee were always going to erect them." Kdpresentatives of the local bntehera confirmed the allegatipVis made, and staged that the-City Council had <ruring the la3t 28 months, promised to carry out the necessary alterations, hut scarcely, anything has been done.