THE ABATTOIR NUISANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9138, 21 August 1888, Page 5

THE ABATTOIR NUISANCE.

The much-discussed question of whether the City Abattoirs and other slaughtering establishments should be removed from their present position at Richmond was anain brought under consideration last night at the meeting of the Newton Borough Council, when a deputation of ratepayers of Ponsonby and Richmond waited upon the Council to urge that they should refuse to re-issue licenses to Messrs. Hellaby Brothers and the Auckland Tallow Company for the coming year. The deputation consisted of "Messrs. Field, Smith, J. Buchanan, J. Dacre, J. Billington, Rountree, Jenkins, and Jones. Previous to the matter being discussed, a report of an inspection of the several establishments by Mr. Currie, (lie sanitary inspector of the borough, was read. The inspector stated that Messrs. Hellaby Bros.' establishment was in a very clean condition, and no signs of offal or any refuse likely to cause a nuisance were visible. All the suggestions previously made for the prevention of a stench had been given effect to, and every particle of offal was conveyed by a covered drain to a shaft at the sea frontage, whence it was discharged at the first ebb of every tide. The City Abattoirs were also in a good condition, and many improvements had been carried out, or were in course of construction. The Tallow Company's premises were no better than they were when complained of previously, and he had given the secretary notice "that if certain instructions concerning whitewashing and flushing with water were not carried out within seven days, legal action would be taken by the Borough. Mr. Field, the spokesman of the deputation, then stated that at the meeting referred to it had been resolved " that in view of the great danger to public health in the continuance of the abattoirs in their present position, this meeting urges the Councillors of the city of Auckland and the Borough of Newton to take immediate steps towards their removal." Mr. Field then went on to cite cases of typhoid fever ending in death, which were clearly traceable to the bad smells from the abattoirs. Previous to the establishment of the slaughterhouses on their present site Ponsonby had been a healthy district, but of late years sickness had markedly increased. He quoted medical authorities in support of his statement. Mi-. Field pointed out that there was a great depreciation in the value of landed property adjacent to the abattoirs because of the unhealthy effluvia, and consequently a proportionate decrease in the Borough's income. He concluded by urging the Borough to refuse to issue any licenses to the Auckland Tallow Factory, or Messrs. Hellaby Bros.

On the motion of Mr. Faui.df.k, Mr. Richard Hellaby was invited to speak. He stated that he saw no reason whatever why the slaughterhouses should not be carried on at their present site without nuisance to anyone. In America and England, in all the large towns, there were extensive slaughtering establishments in the heart of the city, where a far greater amount of killing Wits done daily, and no nuisance or danger to health was complained of. In Parnell several butchers had permits to slaughter small cattle at their shops, and the practice had not given rise to any nuisance. He was of opinion that slaughtering could be carried out without any danger to health. His own establishment had had great improvements, and every particle of refuse, etc., was carried out to sea at high water. He considered that the Council should give them a chance to do their best under the new conditions, and if they caused a nuisance they must be prepared to shift.

The Mayor of Newton (Mr. S. J. Ambury) pointed out that the sanitary arrangements in the large American cities were much more perfect than those of Newton, while the climate at Home was far less likely to produce malaria than in Auckland. He therefore moved that no licenses should be granted to any slaughterhouses in Newton, on condition that the City Council removed their abattoirs from the Borough. Mr. English seconded the motion.

Mr. Rinris said that though he was extremely averse to the existence of any nuisances in the borough, yet he considered that the City Council should move first in the matter by removing their abattoirs. They could control any abuses at the private premises, but the City establishment was beyond their power. He believed that the City Council did not intend to remove their premises, and he therefore was of opinion that private individuals should not be made a butt if they were allowed to go scot free.

Mr. Laing spoke to similar effect. ■ Mr. Faulder moved, as an amendment to the Mayor's motion, that the Borough Council should not pledge itself to suffer any loss of revenue re slaughterhouse licenses. He considered that the abattoirs did nob affect the value of land, and the site upon which they stood was a good one, having splendid natural drainage into deep water. They should consider the revenue of the borough, and not be led by Ponsonby or the city. The proposal lapsed for want of a seconder.

Mr. Brown referred to the iniquity of the Act of Parliament by which a municipal body could acquire a piece of land outside their own boundaries, and use it for injurious purposes in defiance of the wishes of the local body within whose limits the site happened to bo. They should endeavour to have such a statute repealed, and control obtained over the city establishment, before the private slaughterhouses were dealt with. He was of opinion that if a deputation of city ratepayers came to the borough on the subject, they should first brine a distinct promise from the City Council'that the municipal abattoirs would be removed. He considered Mr. Field had somewhat overstated the case in regard to the typhoid fever. Mr. Boyd spoke in a similar strain. He thought that the city had taken a mean advantage of their powers under the Act to force a nuisance upon the borough. As long as this was confined to Newton alone no complaint was made ; but as soon as Ponsonby was affected an outcry arose that the slaughterhouses should be removed. At the meeting which had appointed the deputation present, the borough of Newton had been abused in round terms when the city was the stumbling-block to reform. They had to consider the health o.f Newton before that of Ponsonby. If the city caused a nuisance to its own ward of Ponsonby, let them take the first step to remove it. Mr. Brown theu moved, as an amendment, "That, until a definite offer by the City Council be made, concerning the removal of the City Abattoirs, the borough of Newton should take no steps in regard to the private slaughterhouses." Mr. Cox seconded the amendment. The Mayor then pub the amendment, which was carried by 7 to 3. The deputation then thanked the Council and withdrew.