MUNICIPAL ABATTOIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2882, 16 June 1909, Page 18

MUNICIPAL ABATTOIRS.

THE IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED. QUESTION OF DRAINAGE. The City Council, the controlling body of ihe Municipal Abattoirs at Burnside, was a long time since pretty plainly told by the Government that its works are not what they should be, and that some wholesale alterations and extensions are urgently required. The City Council quite recognises this, and is resigned to the fact that something- will have to be done on the lines suggested, but at the present time is in a rather serious dilemma, and if that is not overcome it is difficult to say what may eventuate- The obstacle in its way is the question of drainage, and it is no' trifling one. At the present time the' drainage from the abattoirs is ejected into the Kaikorai stream, but before being emptied into that channel has to undergo a very complete course of purifying. This entails considerable expenditure, and it is the desire of the council that some scheme should be devised whereby this would be obviated. With the growth of operations the effluent to be got rid of increases, and the expense likewise. It is estimated that the extensive alterations necessary will run into an expenditure of about £4000, but before embarking on such an outlay the council desires to have a more satisfactory and more certain understanding in regard to the disposal of the drainage. The" Drainage, Board, as is well known, was asked to take the drainage into its sewers, and with a view to that end the council has, we understand, applied for and received permission to run a » sewer through the present Caversham . tunnel. This would be connected with one of tho board's own sewers, and the work would be carried out at the council's own expense. The Drainage Board, however, has flatly and positively declined to accept any discharge from the abattoirs, considering that there would be an element of danger arising from the accumulation of gases in the sewers, and every proposal made on the subject by the council has been firmly rejected. Thus placed, the council is in a dilemma. If the difficulties of drainage at present confronting the council cannot be successfully overcome it is quite possible that the whole works may at some future time have to be removed, and that would involve the city in very heavy expenditure. A deadlock has therefore arisen, and while the Government is strongly and repeatedly insisting on the alterations being carried out, the council cannot see its way to take the course which it is desirous to take._