Public Abattoirs

Southland Times, Issue 13502, 20 July 1896, Page 3

Public Abattoirs

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Kindly allow mo space in your valuable columns to express my opinion, as one who has had 'practical experience with abattoirs, for four or five years. I observe by your report of the Borough Council that it is intended to get the ratepayers to sanction a loan of L5OOO to provide the necessary capital for the erection, etc., of abattoirs in or near this town. I observe from Councillor Hanan’s remarks that all the butchers have been 'interviewed with the object of getting their opinions about the erection of abattoirs, and that all are in favour of tho same except one. I may here state that Councillor Hanan never interviewed me on the subject, nor did he send anyone. I have asked several times, when speaking on the subject, why it was that the butchers were not interviewed as they were more directly interested than anyone else. I myself have nothing to say against publid abattoirs ; what I have to say is this: that, so far as I know, none of the Invercargill butchers are very wealthy, and lam quite sure do not wish to be burdened with extra expense. Supposing we get public abattoirs it will mean, at the very least, 2s per head for cattle and Is 2d per head for sheep over and above our present general expenditure. I quite agree . that all meat should be inspected by a thoroughly qualified veterinary surgeon, whom they will not get under 1250 per annumattheveryleast, and I am sure that the revenue obtained from 12 butchers in this town will not pay expenses and interest on L5OOO. Ido not wish in any way to throw cold water on the scheme, but think I have a right to speak out when this means such an enormous increase in our expenditure. In conclusion, I may say that should the Mayor or any of the councillors wish to be enlightened on the subject I shall have much pleasure in affording any information I am able to give.—l am, &c., S. R. Merrett. 18th July.