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We are pleased to be able to record that we were again successful
in effecting the voluntary surrender of all meat and offal
found to be diseased.
Times of Slaughtering.
Slaughtering occurred in the Borough on all days of the week,
including Sunday, and took place at all times during the twentyfour
hours ; as a result, the work of inspection frequently had to
be continued until a late hour of the day, and also had to be performed
on Public Holidays and on Sundays.
Sanitation of Slaughter-houses and Knackers'-yards.
The slaughter-houses and knackers'-yards in use have been
kept, generally, in a satisfactory condition, and with occasional
exceptions, have conformed to a reasonable standard of cleanliness.
Applications for Licences.
Ten applications were received for the renewal of slaughterhouse
licences, all of which were granted. Two knackers'-yard
licences were issued also.
Prosecutions.
It was not deemed necessary to report any cases for legal
proceedings, as the infringements of the regulations and bye-laws
which were observed were remedied following verbal warnings or
warning letters.
Slaughter of Animals Bills.
Two Bills relating to the slaughter of animals have been promoted
by private members in the present Parliament. The one
sponsored by Col. Moore was given a Second Reading on the 7th
April, 1933, and was committed to a Standing Committee of the
House.
A further provision contained in the Bill introduced by Col.
Moore empowers inspection by constables and persons (i.e. officers
of Animal Defence Societies) authorised in writing by a local
authority or by the Minister of Health to ascertain whether
mechanical stunning in slaughter-houses and knackers'-yards is
being satisfactorily operated. This clause would appear to be
•open to objection from the point of view of local authorities, inasmuch
as it would infringe upon the field already covered by certain
of their officials who, for many years past under the provisions of
the slaughter-house and knackers'-yard bye-laws, have been
charged with the duty of seeing that animals are humanely killed.
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