r—Bb

18

you my testimonials if you wish) as Inspector, and I am also Inspector for the Woolston Borough, the City of Christchurch, Linwood Borough, and assist in St. Albans. I feel, although lam not a veterinary surgeon, I may claim to be an expert. I have been all my life brought up with stock, and I have testimonials testifying to the efficiency of my duties from the Selwyn County Council, and also from the City of Christchurch and others. I thought that, if a clause could be inserted in the Act similar to that of 1894 (page, 127, clause 48), my position might be secured. As it is my livelihood, I should be heard, therefore I think that I may ask for your consideration in this matter. I was with a veterinary surgeon three years in my younger days, but, losing my father, I could not go on with the veterinary experience. I may say I was the first Inspector who condemned any cattle at the Addington Yards. I have in every possible manner helped and assisted the Government Inspector at the Addington Yards, also by advising him, and calling his attention to many cases during the last seven years. Therefore, I merely ask that you will consider me in this matter. 177. Hon. the Chairman.] You are, you say, acting for several of the local bodies—Christchurch City and several of the out-districts ? —Yes; but I am chiefly interested in the Selwyn County Council. 178. Is your inspection confined to dead meat ? —I am Inspector of both live and dead meat in these places under the Act. 179. Are you able to get over the work of all those districts ? —Not properly. 180. How far, for instance, are you able to properly inspect the slaughterhouses around Christchurch ?—I do those, some weekly, some fortnightly. If I think there is anything wrong, I go to a place frequently. 181. But the inspection in the ordinary way would not be more than weekly or fortnightly ?— Yes. 182. Practically that would be no regular inspection of meat?-—No. On Saturdays I am around the Town of Christchurch, in the sale-yards and in the shops. 183. To what extent have you had to condemn meat last year killed for Christchurch, generally speaking?—l cannot quite say. I think I condemned eighty-eight last year. During the last month I have had to condemn twenty wholly. These include some which were killed by one of the factories for potting. 184. But I want to get the result from the butchers first ?—Only three during this month, in slaughter-yards. 185. Can you give us for the year?— Thirty-one at sales and slaughteryards. 186. And the eighty-eight you referred to just now were animals slaughtered partly for preserving?— Yes, and from dairies as well. 187. And in the country slaughterhouses to what extent, more or less ? ; —I have condemned none. 188. That might be by your infrequent visits possibly ?—Yes. 189. How far has your inspection gone with regard to live animals ? Has it been confined to sales in the yards?— No. Driving round and looking through farms and dairies. 190. Does not the officer do any work ? —Oh, yes ! 191. How does your work go along with his ?—I inspect the fat cattle at the markets. 192. Have you any authority with regard to the farms to go there and inspect ?—Yes, under by-laws. 193. What condition are the slaughterhouses in that are being used at present for Christchurch ? —They are rather dilapidated. The question of abattoirs has been hanging over the butchers so long that they could not see their way clear to spend money in improving their premises. 194. How far are these establishments efficient for their purpose now? —Well, they have to kill under difficulties in some places. 195. Does that apply to the larger establishments?— No. 196. About what number of places are there for slaughtering for Christchurch at present ?— One factory—the Christchurch Meat Company—and nineteen all under the Selwyn County Council, one at Woolston, and two at St. Albans, or twenty-three altogether. We have also two baconfactories, two freezing companies, and twenty-one in the country. 197. That is, in addition to the others ? —Yes. On the whole I have forty-five under the Selwyn County Council. 198. And you try to inspect all these? —As far as I can. 199. You have no assistance ?—None whatever. 200. Will the people who are at present engaged in this slaughtering business incur considerable loss if this abattoir arrangement becomes law ?—Yes, in some instances. 201. Would it be a large matter to give them compensation?—ln some cases it would be a large cost, in others not. 202. You say the probability of this Bill becoming law is preventing them making improvements they would be making ? —lt has done. 203. Mr. Lawry.] Do you inspect the meat that is being sold by retail by the big companies in Christchurch ?—Yes, but not all; lam at Islington once in the week. 204. It has been stated here that the companies that sell.retail should be subject to the same inspection as those who are small retail butchers. Are you of that opinion ?—Certainly. 205. Have you met any local bodies that are dissatisfied with the present arrangements ? For instance, in the Selwyn County Council, are they opposed to the existing state of affairs ?—The Selwyn County Council prefer abattoirs, as also do the City Council. 206. You have spoken of the question of veterinary surgeons. Are you aware that in the Bill none but duly qualified veterinary surgeons should be appointed Inspectors ? How long have you been in the business? —I have been nine years, in New Zealand,