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originally constructed for the purpose for which they
are now used. They have, however, been adapted and
used as slaughterhouses for very many years.
The slaughterhouses are inspected frequently and
steps are taken to ensure the observance of the provisions
of the byelaws in force in the district, which require
(inter alia) that the premises be kept in a cleanly
state, the provision of proper drainage, ventilation, water
supply, etc., the removal of hides, garbage and offensive
refuse within 24 hours, the limewashing of the premises
at certain intervals and the prevention of cruelty.
In 1922 an extensively signed petition was received
urging the Council to take steps to enforce the use in
the local slaughterhouses of the instrument commonly
known as the "Humane Killer" which consists of a
shooting apparatus designed to discharge a free bullet
or a captive bolt. A very full and careful investigation
of this problem was made by the Public Health Committee,
to whom special reports on the subject were
made by the Medical Officer of Health and the Sanitary
Inspector. The Committee attended a practical demonstration,
when animals were slaughtered by the use of
the "Humane Killer" and by the pole axe, etc. A
meeting was also held, when representatives of the
Petitioners, the various Societies interested, and the
butchers were heard. The Council ultimately decided
against the adoption of the byelaw which enforced the
use of a mechanically operated instrument for the
stunning of animals prior to slaughter, but they adopted
the model byelaws prepared by the Ministry of Health
(with the exception above referred to) which, in addition
to being more in keeping with recent development
than the code then in operation, provides that "A person
shall not, in a slaughterhouse, proceed to slaughter any
bull, ox, cow, heifer, steer, calf or pig, until the same
shall have been effectually stunned."
These byelaws came into operation in September,
1923.
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