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were allowed to kill to the extent of one beast and five sheep per week, and to sell it without inspection, it would largely discount the advantages of establishing abattoirs, and permit unfair competition with those who were subject to supervision and inspection. Of course, there are, I know, several guarding clauses in the Bill in this respect. 5. Is there much of that kind of competition in Nelson ? —I am not aware of it recently, but there has been at times a good deal of it. 6. Mr. Lawry.] Was there any expression of opinion from the Nelson butchers regarding the subject of compensation ?—Yes ; the feeling was that it would be a great hardship if they were compelled to suffer in this respect after going to much expense to provide slaughterhouses and other conveniences to carry on their business. 7. Mr. Flatman.] Begarding subclause (2) of clause 3, I think you said the Nelson butchers only object to that clause on the ground of undue competition ?—Yes ; and also on the ground that farmers and all persons who sell meat for human consumption should be under the same system of inspection as at the public abattoirs. 8. That would be a second objection ?—Yes. J. T. Sapspord, butcher, Ngahauranga, examined: I represent the Wellington Master Butchers' Association and the trade at Petone; that is, about forty butchers in all. Now, with regard to clause 3 of the Bill, subclause (2), I would strike out the words "for barter or sale." In clause 4, subclause (3a), I would strike out the word " three " and add " ten," or, in the alternative, " where no butcher plies his trade." With respect to clause 15, subclause (1), I would strike out the whole subclause. In clause 16, subclause (1), I would strike out the whole of the first line, also the four first words in the second line. In the fifth line I would strike out the word " human" and replace it with the word "local." Also, in the same line I would strike out the words "or for export." In clause 18 I would strike out the last eight words. In clause 24 I would add the words "for export only." Begarding clause 26: this section I would strike out altogether, and replace it with another exempting freezing companies from the operation of clauses 16 and 24 (amended as I suggest), respecting all blemished carcases for preserving purposes, providing always that such carcases were killed, under Government inspection, all yellow sheep to be treated as diseased sheep. In clause 32, subclause (3), I would strike out the whole subclause. Begarding clause 48, which makes it unlawful for any one to subject meat to the process of blowing or spouting, I am of opinion that with proper inflators and spouting-machines, and in a clean and well-kept killing-room, this custom might be allowed with safety to the public health. Bespecting compensation for diseased stock, I suggest that a small charge be made on all stock slaughtered at the public abattoirs, and that half the cost of condemned animals be paid from this fund and the other half from the consolidated revenue, after deducting any value such condemned animals might represent. • Another suggestion I would make is a compromise between freezing companies (who are killing for export and also for the local market) and those who wish to separate the two branches of the trade, seeing that the freezing companies object to running stock for the local trade to be killed some distance away from their own buildings. I would suggest that part of their killing premises should be handed over to the abattoir authorities, and, in the case of Wellington, so create two or more abattoirs. I have reason to believe that one of the companies in Wellington would not object to that. This would meet the case so far as the small butchers are concerned ; and I might here say that my views have been fallen in with, to some extent, by a representative of one of the companies concerned, and a number of those I represent. I also suggest that all butchers should have control of their own offal. A previous witness has stated that he gave his offal away. I think he,should have gone a little further and told the Committee that he received a substantial equivalent for that giving-away; and this, I have reason to believe, will be shown in Mr. Bod's corrected evidence. In other words, he really receives a first-class price for his offal. With his permission I make this statement. In conclusion, I am requested by those I represent respectfully to urge upon this Committee their recommendations that this Bill be passed as soon as possible. Every one I represent is anxious that these public abattoirs should be established, and that this Bill, in the amended form I have just suggested, be passed into law this session if practicable. 9. Hon. the Chairman.] How much inspection is there in Wellington at present?— There is not efficient inspection here at all so far as I am concerned, and, as far as I see, with others there is also very little. The whole time I was killing no inspector came to me at all, with the exception of an occasional call. The slaughterhouse inspector of the Hutt County Council was the officer I allude to. There is a great deal of meat comes into Wellington, and will come into Wellington, that will be without proper inspection, and if not in Wellington it will be distributed in the suburbs, unless the Abattoir Act is passed. I know a number of farmers who are ready to distribute their flocks in Wellington in the shape of dead meat. There is one or more at present bringing meat from Petone to Ngahauranga and distributing it among the residents to the detriment of the butchers. Five lambs were killed under my very eyes this week to be distributed retail in the same place and in the same way. These lambs were taken to the sale-yards, and the only bid they could command was 2s. 6d. per head, so that they could not have been much better than the rejects. 10. Under whose supervision are the slaughterhouses along the Hutt Boad ?—They all come under the Hutt County Council. There are really none past Ngahauranga except Byder Brothers, of Petone. 11. Is there any slaughterhouse out Miramar way now?— Yes. 12. Are there any butchers slaughtering about Wellington with good premises where the question of compensation should be considered?— Yes, and I think the compensation should be considered,