PUBLIC ABATTOIRS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 119, 30 May 1901, Page 3

PUBLIC ABATTOIRS.

BOROUGH COUNCIL AND BUTCHERS.

A meeting of the Borough Council Abattoirs Committee was held last night to confer with Mr Shelton and the butchers in regard to public abattoirs under the new Act. The Mayor and Crs Kennedy. Hepburn, Whin ray and Lysnar were present. Mr Shelton also attended. Mr Shelton said that he desired to learn the Committee’s requirements. He had gone into the matter after ho had received the Town Clerk’s letter. The Council had before arranged that they would have an abattoir, and called for applications for sites—decided to accept what Mr Gilruth recommended, but though that was two years ago, nothing had been done. The Council had not moved along in the matter as they should. Subsequently the present Act had been approved of. He took it that abattoirs meant that the meat would be inspected, and that the place should be kept clean. He then handed in tho following letter: — * Dear Sir, —I am this morning in receipt of your letter of May 29th, in which you ask me to state myproposals in connection with tho abattoir. Tho only proposals that I have to lay before you in connection with the abattoir arc:— 1. The abattoir to bo arranged for to commence operations by July Ist, 1901, or I withdraw my proposal, as I would not attempt to undertake tho work unless I could see my way to do it satisfactorily. Tho killing season for tho Freezing Works having closed, I am able to give full attention to the development of this business, so that it will in no way interfere with tho Freezing Works when thoy are in full work. 2. I propose to use tho present killing place of the Freezing Works for the next few months, until I learn by practical experience what further accommodation is required for the abattoir. I have a plan already made which I think will meet all requirements, but boforc finally adopting this plan I would wait to hoo the working of the abattoir for some time. U. The only terms on which I would undertake tho abattoir and kill for outside people as necessary at an abattoir would bo that I should rotain the whole of the oftal of sheep, cattle, and pigs, so that tho premises can be kopt in every way clean and sanitary. I understand that tho idea of tho abattoirs is to have inspected meat, and to sco that all filth, etc., is properly deal with

4. I would receive sheep, cuttle, pigs and calves at the yards of the Freezing Works. From the time tho.y arc delivered at tho yards of the Freezing Works the total expenses of ponning, killing, and dressing, inspection, etc., would bo mine. I would return back to the owners of tho stock, in tho case of sheep, the earcase same as dressed ready for export, together with the skin, tongue, hoart, and lddnoys. This means that I should retain tho wholo of the insido fat and offal, trotters, and head.

In tho case of cattlo, I should return tho carcaso in tho same condition as is dressed beef for export, together with tho hide, heart, kidneys, tail, and tongue. I should retain everything else. <■ Lambs : Tho same as sheep. Calvos : The same as cattle.

Pigs : I would doliver these in tho same condition as I pay for them when purchasing for trade purposes, that is, cleaned.

In addition to tho offal as above, my charge will be : Sheep, od per head Lambs, 3d „ ~ Calves, Is „ „ Cattlo, Is „ „ Pigs, 2s Gd ~ ~ I will provido cold storage when required at tho following rates : Cattlo, per quarter, 3d first day, 2d second, and Id per day after-

wards. Shoop and lambs, Id each first day, :jd second and third day, and Id per day afterwards.

Bigs and calves, 3d per day,

Killing to bo on not more than four days per week, such days to bo arranged for among the butchors, and if thoy do not agree to nominate the killings days, it will bo tlio duty of the Council to do so. Delivery of all killed meat to be taken beforo noon following the day after kill-

ing, unless stored in cool chamber. C ' If thoso terms arc agreed to, further details can bo arranged by the parties interested after discussion.

Tlioro wore present, representing the moat trade: Messrs J. Maynard, D.

Gordon, J. Cicsar, It. Hill, G. Howarth, T. Howarth, and others.

‘Tho Mayor explained what had been dono so far, and said that ho would like some of thoso representing the meat trade to movo in tho matter. Thoso were Mr Shelton’s terms, and now was tho time to ask any questions. Mr Maynard : I would not agree to the terms.

Mr Lysnar: Why ? Mr Maynard said that he would only be allowed to kill on four days of the week, and ho would want to kill on every day in the summer time. And further, ho would not allow anybody to take the offal, which was his profit. The Mayor: All moat has to bo inspected. Mr Maynard said ho knew and agreed to that, but at public abattoirs he could send his own slaughtermen to do tho killing, and lio would have his right to tho lot of each animal. How could stock be driven through tiro town ? if, say a single bullock was required ; it was much easier to drivo two or three.

The Mayor said that would bo a difficulty. Mr Lysnar : Do you think the Freezing Works charges too high if you had to kill your stock four days instead of seven ? Mr Maynard said he should think it would come heavy by the time he paid for tho' -driving of the stock there, and the bringing of the moat back. Mr Caesar said that the difficulty could be got over if the butchers could charge 8d for roast boef and 6d for mutton ; they could then make -a living out of it, but Gisborne pcoplo could not afford to pay thoso prices. No doubt the Borough Councillors would be prepared to pay a shilling a pound, but the ordinary public would not. Mr G. Howarth said that the giving up o! tho fat was mo great trouble. The Mayor: What suggestions have ,you to make; these are the terms offered. ; Cr Kennedy pointed out that the chirges were much less than those in the previous ofler. ! , Hr Maynard said that the only profitabb part of a carcase was what could bo uialo out of the offal ; there would not be a li’ing if, after paying 22s per cwt for a bead, -which they must pay for good beef, they had to sell it merely for meat. ill- G. Howarth said that the retaining of tie inside fat meant that the slaughtering'charges were iucreased to double. In reply to Cr Lysnar, Mr Maynard said that the inside fat, etc., would be Worth about .21 per cwt. Tho Mayor said that some place must besettled upon for killing. dr Maynard said that tho Act stipvflahd that the borough must erect abattoirs.

,f; C-s Lysnar and Kennedy pointed out |; that tho Council had power to make nrj j rangjments for abattoirs. Mi Maynard : Then it must be known as a public abattoir, with the samo rei strictions. i; Mr D. Gordon also referred to the ques:i»- tion of offal, and asked what allowance \ ■ would he made. \ Cr Dysnar said that it was the’ desire of \ the Council to meet the butchers in a rea- ■ sonable way, but unless some fair altemaV tive could be offered they would have to go on and deal with the matter. Mr Maynard said he could not see anything to prevent him having a place and inspector of his own. Cr Lysnar: But you cannot bring meat into the borough and sell it; you will be absolutely shut out. Mr Maynard: But my slaughterhouse can be registered. - Town Clerk: Not ns an abattoir; there can only be one in the district. Mr Maynard said it might be registered as a private slaughterhouse. Cr Lysnar; You could not bring the jaeat into town, and you wouW have to

pay £2OO a year for your fees. Mr Howarth said that the fees might be P'2oo a year, but under the proposal it would cost them 21s a head to get their cattle killed. In reply to Cr Kennedy, Mr Maynard said that the value of the inside fat varied from about 5s to a pound. Mr Caesar raised a laugh by asking what the public would do without their plum puddings, as there would be none if all the suet were taken with the kidney fat.

Mr Howarth said that the value of the fat would amount to more than 10s per head.

Cr Lysnar: Well, would it be-satis-factory if the kidney fat were left in ? Mr Maynard : I must take all of mine —all of the carcase belongs to me. The Mayor: The whole of the carcase —hoofs and all—that is what you said before.

Mr Maynard: Yes, I require it all to make it pay. ,Cr Hepburn said that it seemed the only thing for it was to raise the prices. Mr Maynard : And don’t they squeak if you attempt to increase it. The Mayor: But it was increased, all right. Mr Caesar: Yes, but if you do raise it you don’t get it paid. Mr Maynard said that a penny per pound had been put on rump steak and sirloin of beef: the other parts were the same. Before, everyone, wanted rump steak. Cr Kennedy: And now, it is all ramp steak.—(Laughter.) Cr Lysnar : I think you butchers bark a lot about what you have to pay for beef.

Mr Maynard said that what ho had to pay M 10s for two years ago now cost £7 10s. Mr Howarth : You won’t find many butchers left if they have to pay these fees, too. The Mayor jokingly suggested that then the Council would have to start butchers’ shops of their own. Mr Caesar : The Council would soon be bankrupt. The Mayor: Perhaps they would deliver plenty of meat, but not get much for it.—(Laughter.) Mr Maynard said he would sooner shut up his shop in town, and go into the country. In regard to storing meat, Mr G. Howarth said that people did not like to have meat put in the freezing chambers. In reply to Mr Caesar, the Mayor said that bofore an abattoir could bo orected a plan would have to be submitted and approved of by the Government. The money would have to be borrowed, as it could not be taken out of the rates. Mr Caesar said that the building would cost about .£BOOO. | After further remarks, Cr Lysnar said ho thought the butchers wero raising difficulties that did not exist. Mr Caesar said the distance was too great to drive small lots of stock, and Mr Maynard raised the objection that the animals would not bo given sufficient time from when they reached the yards to whon they wore killed. Mr Hill asked why the arrangement could not be simply the charging of a slaughtering fee, nothing being retained ? Mr Shelton said that tho place could only be kept clean by everything being cleaned up directly after killing, aad if butchers came at odd times to collect the offal that could not bo dono. He was determined that tho works should be kept as clean as at present, and that could only be done by everything being cleaned up immediately after slaughtering. The Mayor said they desired to hear any practical suggestions tho butchers had to mako. Mr G. Howarth: Why not make Mr Maynard’s place the registered works, and let each one take all the stuff away ? After much further discussion, with no likelihood of a practical conclusion, Cr Kennedy suggested that tho meeting should bo adjourned for half an hour for tho butchers to confer among themselves. The butchers must recognise tho fact that tho question had to be faced, and they should try and liolp tho Council. The butchers had boon asked to meet and offer suggestions, but if they simply took up an aggressive attitude no progress was made. The Council did not wish to do. anything that was unreasonable. He moved that an adjournment bo made. Cr Whinray seconded tho motion, which was carried. The butchers were then left to confer, Mr Maynard presiding. On the full meeting resuming the butchers presented the following proposals to the committeo : After considering the question of public abattoirs from a butcher’s point of view, we liavo arrived at the following conclusions : 1. That the Gisborne Freezing Works is absolutely unsuitable for the purpose, both as regards position and terms offered. 2. We should suggest that the Council orect public abattoirs at the Malcaroka Domain, as suggested by Mr Gilruth. 8. The butchers will be agreeable to pay tho fees for inspection and'hanging, also for cost'of attendant and use of digester. 4. We are also all prepared to do our own killing, and thus save the Council the expense of keeping a staff of slaughter men

5. The butchers to each retain all offal and attend to romoval of same. 6. Wo are prepared to pay such fees as are fixed by the Council to provide for interest and sinking fund on loan, inspection fees, and such other expenses as are necessary for keeper, etc. —John Maynard, Howland Hill, Geo. Howarth, T. Howarth, Law and Co. Mr Gordon had not signed the report, his objection, he explained, being that the site proposed by the other butchers was not suitable. Mr G. Howarth said that Mr Hyland (who was not present) was in favor of the suggestion first made, and Mr Hill said that Messrs McConnell and Co. were in favor of it. Tho Mayor said he did not think part of the Domain could be taken except by Act of Parliament. -Cr Lysnar said that while the butchers had been conferring he had spoken to Mr Shelton on the points at issue, and he had offered to make tho following emendations Will.pen up all cattle for full weight in single pons before killing, the same as we do our own. Will sell to butchers any solid fat out of their own cattle that are killed at 2d per pound conditionally upon the request being made at or before time of killing. Will allow kidney fat to be token. Will be willing to buy all their fat, cuttings, and bones at full market prices, so that they will save the expense of any boiling down apparatus. Will also salt and store their hides and sheepskins at a price to bo arranged if desired, or for owners to remove them the day of killing, and treat them themselves. Cr Lysnar said it seemed to him that the butchers would be wise to give the proposal a six months’ trial, and Ire pointed out that the Gisborne works had bpen specially singled out by Dr Yalentine. Mr Caesar said they would sooner take the recommendation of Mr Gilruth. Cr Lysnar said that Dr Valentine’s opinion would be taken first by the authorities in such a matter. i Mr Shelton said he would not be willing to allow more than the three months for a trial, as by that time he would want to know what arrangements to make for the freezing season. Cr Lysnar said that three months would be still better. After further remarks it was unanimously agreed that the meeting should be - adjourned for a week, the proposer, Cr Whinray, saying that the butchers had better consider the matter, for a week. Mr Shelton agreed with that view. He said that it had taken him longer than that to_go into the matter fully ; he had tried to look- at it from the butchers’ point of view as well, and believed that when they fully considered the matter, they would find that the proposal he had made would suit them best. The meeting then adjourned.