HAMILTON ABATTOIRS.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16813, 3 June 1926, Page 6

HAMILTON ABATTOIRS.

PROPOSAL BY COUNCIL. APPROVED BY BUTCHERS. Hamilton is at last within measurable distance of obtaining municipal abattoirs. A special committee of the Borough Council recently held a conference with the local Butchers' Association, and last night the following recommendations were brought down:— Abattoirs Committee. The committee reports that after numerous conferences with the Butchers' Association it recommends the Council to tentatively agree to accept the following general scheme concerning abattoirs and the disposal of by-products from such works. The proposals are only to serve as a guide for subsequent discussion and the adoption en bloc of the arrangements suggested, both the Council's representatives and the Butchers' Association agree, is not to be considered as binding on either party:—

1. The Council to use its best endeavours to undertake the establishment of abattoirs, including the purchase of the necessary land and subject to the approval of the proposed By-Products Company. 2. The abattoirs to be erected in such manner and in such a position as will enable the proposed By-Pro-ducts Co. to obtain delivery of all offal and by-products in the most convenient manner and at the least possible expense. 3. The Council to lease to the proposed By-Products Company sufficient land for the purposes of the company at a rental to be agreed upon.

4. The slaughtering fees for first year to be charged by the Council to be the same as the present rates for killing at Horoliu; afterwards such rates as may be mutually agreed upon. 5. The proposed By-Products Co. lo have the sole right lo the whole of the offal and by-products from the abattoirs for a sum equivalent to the difference between the total receipts from killing charges and the total expenditure connected with the abattoirs, such expenditure to include depreciation on buildings,' plant, etc., at an agreed rate, and also lo include interest and sinking fund on all moneys borrowed by the Council for the establishment of the abattoirs, payment by the company for offal in the first year to be made half-yearly, and then when mutually agreed upon. Killing charges will be payable monthly.

6. The Council to allow a representative of the By-Products Company to act in an advisory capacity on the Abattoirs Committee of the Council, meanwhile the Butchers' Association to appoint a representative. The proposed By-Products Company will enter into an agreement with the Council embodying the following provisions:— (a) To raise the necessary capital and to erect suitable premises properly equipped and capable of dealing with the wbolp of the offal and byproducts from the abattoirs, including facilities for the chilling of (be meat; lo take the whole of the offal, etc., from the abattoirs and to chill meat for all persons using abattoirs and at a uniform charge.

(b) To limit the lotal rclurn to shareholders on capital invested to 10 per cent, per annum, such dividend to be cumulative.

(c) To provide from revenue depreciation on the buildings, plant, machinery, etc., at a rate to be agreed upon.

(d) To distribute pro rata the whole of the surplus profits remaining—firstly, as a rebate to shareholders holding the necessary number of shares, this number to be mutually agreed upon; secondly, in the form of a rebate on all stock killed based on the amount paid by each person using the abattoirs for slaughtering charges. (e) To give the Coiinr.il the right fo ,purchase at the end of any financial year (providing three months' noliee has been given) the buildings, plant, machinery and equipment at the book value of same.

(f) To forfeit Hie lease of the land upon Ihe Council exercising the right under clause K in respect of the lease of the land or the premises of the company generally. (h) To give an officer of the Council access to the books of Ihe company at all reasonable times for the purpose of verifying the carrying out of the terms of the agreement, and to provide an audited baance-shcet and revenue account within reasonable time of the conclusion of each financial year.

(i) To maintain the whole of the plant, buildings, equipment, and surroundings generally to the satisfaction of Ihe Council. Provision is also lo be made in the proposed-agreement providing for the acquisition by butchers of shares without payment of premium, and the Council to approve the articles of the proposed By-Products Company. All questions which arc not mutually agreed upon lo be decided by arbitrators. It is not proposed lo limit the shareholders to butchers. Cr. Luxford, chairman of tho committee, said a basis that was satisfactory from the Council's point of view and cquitablo to ihe butchers had been sought. Cr. Mason: Yes, it is a splendid report. His Worship, said the general experience was that abattoirs were no expense to ratepayers, as killing charges covered the running cost. The report was adopted.