SHELTERS FOR STOCK

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22269, 7 December 1937, Page 10

SHELTERS FOR STOCK

Position at Lyttelton Abattoir MINISTER'S REPLY TO SOCIETY j After members of the society had made an inspection of the abattoir at Lyttelton, the Canterbury Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals decided recently to make inquiries as to what food and shelter had to be provided for stock awaiting slaughter. A reply to an inquiry made to the -Minister for Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin) was received at a meeting of the society last evening. The Minister said that the obligation to provide food and shelter for the animals was with the owners and other persons in charge of the stock. Under the Slaughtering and Inspection Act a Government inspector was appointed to see that the correct provisions were made. The chairman (Mr H. F. Herbert) referred to the attitude of the Lyttelton Borough Council, which, he said, had taken exception to the society's inquiries. "It was the attitude of the Lyttelton Borough Council that made us write to the Minister," said Mr Herbert. "If the Minister tells us the matter is in the hands of a Government inspector it is up to us to get in touch with that inspector," said Mr L. J. Taylor. After further discussion the society decided to delay action until it was known whether the Government authorities would compel the proprietors of the abattoir to erect more shelter for stock. Methods used in freezing works in the killing of pigs were criticised by Mr H. P. Bridge, who said some freezing works in the Dominion were using an improved system, the adoption of which he recommended. After discussion a special committee was set up to make further inquiries. Large quantities of kauri gum are being shipped away from North Auckland, and practically the whole population of Te Hapua is now earning a good living by gumdigging. The market continues steady and good wages can be earned. Gum-washing plants are also being installed, two being near Parengarenga, and these will greatly increase the output, as some of the swamps contain very rich deposits. What was considered a worked-out area recently produced £IOOO worth of chips gum from one acre, and there are hundreds of acres of equal value in the district. Now that the lower grades of gum are commercially marketable it would seem that there will be as much gum worked out in the future as has been in the past, and the next 50 years will not see the end. What he considered to be repercussions from a submarine disturbance were experienced by Mr A. W. B. Powell, acting-director of the Auckland Institute and Museum, as he was preparing to moor his launch' in Hobson Bay after a day's outing on the Waitemata Harbour recently. Although the sea was perfectly calm and still, the launch began to pitch violently. Long regular waves about six feet apart rolled in from the -south-east, the disturbance lasting for about 30 or 40 seconds. There was a lull for about three minutes and then came a further series of waves, much sharper than the first. The second disturbance lasted about the same time as the first, and immediately it was over the sea became calm again. "There is not one able-bodied\ single man in Taranaki to-day in receipt of relief or sustenance payments," said the officer in charge of the New Plymouth State placement bureau, recently. "All the available single men have been absorbed into general industry or on to public works and work being conducted by local bodies. ' The supply of able-bodied single men has been gradually decreasing for some weeks, but it came as quite a surprise to us last week to find that we were not able to supply a single man. Of course, able-bodied single men must accept employment when and ~| where it is offered," added Mr Davidson, "otherwise they would become ineligible for relief benefits. Somewhat the same principle i applies to married men, although where separation from their families becomes a factor greater leniency is shown." Napier is experiencing a serious shortage of carpenters at the present time, and from outward signs it would appear that skilled men in the district have already been absorbed. A well-known Napier contractor said that he had found it practically impossible, because of the number of works at present in progress, to obtain qualified men. In Napier a large number of men were employed on buildings under construction, and the erection of the Government houses at Marewa had absorbed a great portion of the labour available. The shortage was not only confined to carpenters —all skilled trades were affected. " "Putting out your hands does not absolve you from responsibility," said Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., to a motorist in the Magistrate's Court in Auckland, who claimed he had given a signal before making a turn which resulted in a slight collision. You must look round and be quite satisfied that nothing is coming; and if there is someone coming you must be satisfied that he sees you." - >