STATE OF ABATTOIR

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 121, 15 February 1935, Page 13

STATE OF ABATTOIR

Complaint By Councillor BOARD CRITICISED , Assurance that to his knowledge there was no reason to doubt that tlie meat ■which came from the city abattoir was lit for human consumption was given by the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, at tlie meeting of the Wellington City Council last night when Cr. I’. Butler complained of conditions at the works. “The abattoirs are in a filthy condition,” said Cr. Butler, who went on to say that the Loans Board, by holding up tlie council’s application for a loan to repair the works, had endangered the health of the community. There were crevices in the bricks which were full of dirt. Discussing the complaint mentioned by Cr. Butler, tlie Mayor trenchantly criticised the Loans Board. The question of the loan had been before the board for some time. It bad been dealt with this week and tlie council would probably receive a letter in a day or two advising that u loan of £6OOO had been authorised. That would enable the necessary work to be done at the abattoir.

The council had applied to the Loans Board for £21,000 altogether—£6ooo for improvements and tlie other £15,000 was what tlie city was entitled to under Act of Parliament. Under the legislation the corporation from time to time advanced out of ordinary revenue certain moneys for abattoir purposes. The council’s application in respect of this money had been turned down. “Superior to Legislature.” “Tlie only reason I can suggest,” continued the Mayor, “is that tlie Loans Board considers it is superior to the Legislature which gave us the authority to borrow the money.” Still, the board had done a little good. After a long delay and aften asking meticulous questions and having them answered with the greatest possible care tlie board had agreed to the application for £6OOO. Cr. C. 11. Chapman, M.P., thanked Cr. Butler for raising the question. Cr. JI. F. Luckie said it was an extraordinary thing that tlie Loans Board had held up the application for the £15,000. Why should not tlie council have tlie money granted to it pursuant to statutory authority? Further representations should be made by the council to have the money granted. The position was ridiculous. The Mayor: It is a question whether the board has statutory authority to debar us. We should wait until we receive tlie board’s letter advising about the £6OOO loan.

Cr. Butler emphasised that he was not blaming tlie council or its officers for tlie conditions at the abattoir, but the niggardly attitude of the ■ Loans Board.

Cr. W. Duncan asked whether it was wise to let the discussion go into the papers. The Mayor: A councillor must use his discretion in what lie says.