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I.—Bb

89. In general practice it would be very difficult ? —Yes—that is, to trace it to the farmer. 90. Mr. Lawry.] Are you carrying on business in a practical way ?—Yes. 91. Without endeavouring to pry into private affairs, are you associated with or interested in any meat company ?—No, but I am dealing with one. 92. You find it satisfactory to yourself ?—Yes. 93. You used to kill for yourself ?—Yes, many years ago. 94. Do you find it just as good now as when you killed for yourself ? —Yes. 95. Now, re compensation, I suppose you are aware that we have in Auckland a system of rigid inspection in the saleyards there ?—I have heard so. 96. Do you not think that after a beast has passed inspection in the saleyards the butcher should be responsible after it is condemned in the slaughterhouse ? Do you think the general consumer—that is, the consolidated revenue—should compensate the butcher ?—I think the municipal authorities should see to the matter of compensation. 97. After the beast has passed the Government Inspector the responsibility of the farmer should cease, and the responsibility be cast upon some one outside ? —I still think the municipal authorities should see to it. 98. Mr. Buchanan.] Do you think the farmer should be held responsible after the animal has passed the Government Inspector ? —I certainly think it would escape the notice of the farmer if it escaped the Government officer. At the same time, as the farmer reaps the whole of the profit he must take some of the risk, and it is debatable really whether he should not pay the cost. 99. Mr. Lawry.] Do not you think the farmer takes sufficient risk when he takes his beast into the market ?—I do not know. 100. Do you know that if a farmer brings in sheep and they pass the Government Inspector he cannot be summoned afterwards ?—I do not know that. 101. I suppose you are aware that very frequently what are commonly termed "crocks" — ewes—are bought up ?—Yes. 102. Do you think these would be fit for human consumption ?—They do not go into human consumption. 103. Well, what about the tongues, kidneys, &c.: is it right to sell them?—l do not think any serious consequences would follow such sale. 104. Then you are not aware whether the tongues and kidneys would be better fit for consump-. tion than prime wethers ?—Of course, if there was a law preventing the killing of all " crocks" for human consumption in any way it would be better. 105. Do you think the tongues and kidneys are fit for human consumption ? —Well, if they are good enough for export trade, surely they are good enough for human consumption. But in any case the lessened value of the sheep would fall upon the farmer if only boiled down. 105 a. Has there recently been a reduction in the prices of meat supplied to the carcase butchers ? —There is one about to take place, I believe. 106. Is there a reduction of cattle prices in the public market just now ? —I think so. I have attended two sales, and things were, I thought, very much easier. 107. Do you think the reduction in the live-stock market justifies the company in reducing the price to you ?—My opinion as a buyer is they have not reduced it enough. 108. Beef is about £1 a hundred now in the market? —It is very near that—about 19s. The price was reduced on account of the pressure of the twenty-one butchers dealing with the company. 109. In your experience as a butcher have you ever known a reduction in the price of beef to take place in the month of September before ? —I cannot say positively. It is not the time of year one expects it. I think the market is getting easier, however. 110. During your forty years' experience you have known beef to rise in this month?— Yes, very often. 111. Mr. Flatman.] If all the butchers take their meat from the companies would not that create a monopoly —that is to say, the companies would be the sole purchasers of cattle from the farmers, and would get them at their own price ?—I do not think so. There are two companies competing keenly against one another. There is also one at Wanganui, one at Patea, and there is another at Longburn. I doubt whether if the whole of the trade were dealing with the two local companies here it would have that effect. 112. You think, then, probably if one company bought all the cattle that would not have any effect ?—Well, we know what human nature is. 113. You think that 1 per cent, would cover the loss for all cattle condemned?—l think so. Of course, I do not take in those old cows we hear of; they are just the same as old " crocks." They are more for boiling down. Get what tallow you can out of them and make them into manure. 114. Is there any cow-beef sold in Wellington ?—Yes ; I had some last week, and it was good ; it was heifer-beef. 115. Not old cow-beef ?—No. 116. If the companies were to reduce the meat to the butchers, and did not reduce the manure to the farmers, would not that be an injustice ?—Well, I really could not undertake to give an opinion on that subject. It appears to me you buy your manure at £3 10s. per ton, and I consider that very cheap. 117. Do you know that manure can be adulterated ?—Well, I have heard so. Ido not know as a fact. 118. Were you in business in England?—My people were in business there, but I was not. 119. Is there much more disease there than here?— Yes, much more. 120. You think farmers who kill meat should have it slaughtered at the public abattoir?—_ think they should be on the same level as the butchers. 4—l. Bb.