HAMILTON ABATTOIRS.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15320, 22 August 1923, Page 5

HAMILTON ABATTOIRS.

1 JTHE NEED FOR THE WORKS

SUPPORTED BY THE BUTCHERS,

TE RAPA SITE FAVOURED

A meeting’ of members of the Master Butchers’ Association of Hamilton, hold last evening, gave discussion to the question of abattoirs for the town, when the point of view of the trade was presented. Mr ,T. A. Brind was appointed chairman of the meeting, which was’ well attended. The chairman said that they'were met to discuss the position and sec if they could not better themselves in regard to municipal abattoirs. The present were not satisfactory conditions. The Council, when he had mentioned the matter, had intimated that they would take into consideration any feasible scheme presented by the butchers. If that were done there was every chance of them having abattoirs built. The resolutions dealing with the proposals were outlined as follows: (1) That the Association, after a practical and prolonged tost, conclude that he present arrangement is altogether msatisfactory; (2) that the _ Association approve of the idea to build municipal abattoirs; (3) that the Association pledges itself to secure a suitable site much nearer town; (4) that the Association is prepared, if the Council decides to delegate its powers’, to carry on the abattoirs on terrns_to be arranged with the Council; (5) that the Council be asked to raise a loan for , erecting the necessary buildings and / yards; (6) that the Council can rely on the co-operation and assistance of the Association. The chairman said that the Council had discussed the question some six or seven years ago, when it had gone so far as to pay a deposit on a site, but the proposal was eventually quashed. There was hardly any doubt about the scheme going on if a site could be secured in a suitable location near the town. They must satisfy themselves and the Legal and Finance Committee of the Council on the site for the abattoirs. A Suitable Site. Mr Boneham made mention of a site at Te Rapa, near the river bank, which it was thought would be suited to the requirements' and which, it was added, would have the further valued feature of being near the saleyards. That site had the approval of the Health authorities In the past, and he saw no reason for it not being .renewed. ’ It was asked if there was any possibility of securing the original site on the Cambridge road, but it was agreed that it could never be obtained at the first value. Some speakers considered it wisdom to keep beyond the town area when the special feature of. drainage from the works was taken into consideration. When considering the area that would be required, it was pointed out that at Feilding about 40 acres were utilised. Portion of this’ area was divided into suitable’ paddocks. It was the conclusion that not less than 50 acres would be required. On the motion of Messrs Boneham and Young, the meeting res'olved to h take into consideration the site at Te & Rapa which had been referred to. The resolutions as outlined were approved of by the meeting. Saving by the Proposal. When the question of cost of the scheme to the butchers was being discussed, it was pointed out that this would more than be met by the sav- , ing on the by-products under their " „ own works as compared with the present scheme by which the butchers had to have their requirements met. 3 In discussing the present method of having the meat killed at the freezing works, it was the conclusion that they were too far away, the railway transit was unsuited, and the cartage costs were unduly heavy. These latter, it was stated, came to more than £IOO a week, and under the provision of their own works approximately £lO,000 a year would be saved to the public. It was added that a reduction in the retail price of meat would be another favoured feature provided by having municipal abattoirs. The chairman doubted whether the :Council would agree to a 50-acre area being secured. The meeting pointed out that it was' the butchers who would he paying for it- ...

Mr Boneham considered it would be a short-sighted policy to go In for only sufficient land for the erection of the works, as paddocking was, to his mind, an essential feature of successful appointments. It was pointed out that the present agreement terminated with 12 months’ notice from either side. The meeting appointed Messrs Simcock, Bryant, Adams and Boneham to place the views' of the trade on the ■matter before the Council and to deal with the viewing of the proposed property at Te Rapa in conjunction with the representatives of the municipality.