CRUELTY AT MUNICIPAL ABATTOIRS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 250, 22 November 1929, Page 8

CRUELTY AT MUNICIPAL ABATTOIRS.

"OLD TIMER."

(To the Editor.) Sir,-?-It seems strange that it requires Mr Adams, of Tokomaru Freezing Works, to draw tlie attention of the City Council and tlie public generallv to tlie cruelty tliat exists at tne abbve abattoirs in the slauglitering of beasts. And Mr Adams. as a easual visitor to tho district, deserves every eredit for his letter of the 21st October re this cruelty. But, Mr Editor, Mr Adams did not go far enougli in his condemnation. A man of his experience should liave pointed out the cause lrading up to the cruelty, also the obsolete gear in use afiev the beast is kilJed. Bo that the city couiicillors will grasp tlie position and remedy same, I will endeavour to explaiu how ancl where tlie cruelty commences and so on until tiie beast is hung up ready for tlie butclier. There is a. long race in which tlie beasts are driven to the killing pen. This race should be fitted with slide down gates, slightly more than the beast's length apart, the object being to stop tlie beasts, which are usuall.v stubborn to drive, from backing No such gates exist in this race. Therefore the poor animals liave to be tloggecl with stock whips and bitfeen by dogs to get them to the killing pen and so tlie cruelty commences and damage to tlie meat done. Tlie killing pen. where the pithing is done, sliould not be so wide to allow a beast to turn or move away and then tlie slauglilerman, with the spear. can hit accurateI v, which means instantaneous death. It is not so with the killing pen at Awatoto. It is far too wide, allowing the beast too much freedom, which eauses tlie pither to frcquently miss the vital spot ainied at. and erentes the crueltv referred to hy Mr Adams. The slaughterman then. at his own risk. h«s to iuiup into the pen and finisli the killing with a knife. All this cnieitv and incon ven icnce could he obrinted hy an up-to-dntp race anrl pen. The gear nnd abattoirs cenernllv reqiure a tberough o^erhanl. and the oity council'ors should vjsit the works if they have not done «o and see for themselves the antiquated cog

winches which have been in use since 1902, and the cogs, etc., worn so much that they have become a danger to the men having to use tliem. It is common when they are hauling up an undressed beast, weighing from 16'cwt.to oue ton, for ihe winch to slip, allowing the beast to fall ancl creating danger of accident to the men. Tlie couiicillors could also make inquiries as to why there is no bath and wash hasin. I remember some years ago there was a bath and hasin, supplied with hot water, but these were taken away, or thrown away, and have never been replaced. Surely, sir, the nature of the work performed entitles these men to up-to-date sanitary equipment. Tlie iron on tlie roof also requires attention- as it leaks in various places. I tio not know if there is a first-aid outfit lcept there for use of the men. If there is not, then the council should see that one is placed there immdiate]y. Surely, sir, out of the profits made from the abattoirs the rouncil could afforcl to erect up-to-date race and pen, instal electric winches, bath and basin, etc., and bring the abattoirs up-to-dato and so avoid strangers comnienting adversely upon them". — I am,

etc.,

Port Ahuriri, Nov. 21, 1929..