MUNICIPAL ABATTOIRS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19007, 7 May 1924, Page 5

MUNICIPAL ABATTOIRS

DEPUTATION FROM BUTCHERS COUNCIL DEFER MATTER. A representative deputation from th* master butchers of Wanganui waited upon the Borough Council last evening and urged the establishment of municipal abattoirs. Mr Bennett; was the spokesman for the deputation, and submitted the following points:—(l) That it. was unfair that the Wanganui Meat Freezing Company, a competing butchering firm, should control the abattoirs; (2) that the deputation was not .satisfied with the way their stock was handled; (2) that under the present system the butchers did not receive the by-products which they were entitled to; (5) that the butchers had no control over the killing days fixed—al Easter no stock was killed from the Wednesday before Easter until the following Tuesday; (6) that municipal abattoirs would b< in the best interests of the community Cr. Luxford moved the adoption oi the following report by the Works Com* mittee:—The committee recommend that consideration of the establishment of abattoirs be deferred for a period of six months, and that, further inquiries be made into the matter of municipal saleyards, beforo the committee submit a recommendation. Mr Bennett said the Wanganui butchers were unanimous in the matter. When the Borough Council delegated its powers to the Wanganui Moat Company the latter was not in the retail trade. Cr. Lux ford said the matter required a lot of thought and consideration. One thing to consider was the possibility of opposition to municipal abattoirs. In some places municipalities made a loss on the business. Cr. Gohns moved as an amendment that the matter be referred back to the Works Committee for earlier consideration than six months. Cr. Burnett said there was not a single case where abattoirs had been a charge upon the ratepayers. It was a serious matter that should be dealt with without delay. Cr. Rogers asked if there were no clauses in the original agreement that could rectify the difficulties that were complained of. The Mayor said he was adverse to borrowing any more money before the end of the financial year. It was already pointed out that stock was killed at the other works. The motion was carried and it was further decided to invite the manager of the Wanganui Freezing Company to meet the Works Committee to discuss the complaints made.