THE ABATTOIRS

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13892, 18 October 1918, Page 4

THE ABATTOIRS

OPENED NEXT WEEK. The Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, Ltd., will commence slaughtering stuck fur the Hamilton butchers on Tiiursday next, 2'ith inst. The butchers are not anxious to come under the new arrangement until they are. compelled to do so, for they hold the opinion that the expense of killing, driving, etc., will be higher than that which they pay at present. The main difficulty seems to be in regard to what may be termed "side lines"—pigs, Limbs, calves, etc. Each butcher requires only a few of these per week, and it will be an expensive mailer lo drive a couple of pigs, or calves, or half a dozen lambs, to the works for slaughtering. The difficulty may be met by the butchers combining, and engaging a truck, and having the animals killed on certain days of the week. This, however, is a difficulty which will probably be overcome when the scheme is brought into running order.

All the butchers but one have banded together, and leased 100 acres adjoining the works at Horotiu for grazing. They have also engaged a stockman to do the droving, yarding, handling, etc. One butcher expressed the opinion to a Waikato Times representative that when the new scheme is inaugurated the price of meat will probably go up slightly, to meet the increased charges. As, however, residents of Hamilton are now paying less for meat than is charged in Auckland and other adjacent towns they have little cause for complaint. Most pie will welcome the establishment of abattoirs, even if it means an increase in the price of the commodity.