Abergavenny Chronicle

ABERGAVENNY TOWN 1 COUNCIL. ) CARCASiS BROUGHT TO THE SLAUGHTER HOUSES. QUESTS C- WITNESS FOR HUMAN I CONSUMPTION. The monthly meeting ot the Town Council was held 011 Wednesday e clime. tiie Mayer (Alderman Wheatley^ presiding. There were also present Councillor t R. Be- v/itli (Derxrsy Mayor), Alderman Col. Williams, Councillors T. A. Delafiexd, • Ich>rd. Kensington, 1". J. lian-he-d. J. T-r. Ai.u. Orphan:, F. Sadler, a.id R. The New Councillor.. I Councillor r!o\vm:i saicV that as -he member I Wiio proposed the name of Mr. Richard Iball for <ejection as a member ot the Council, he had much pleasure iu i-nroducing him to the Ccunc.l. The Mayor congratulated Mr. I)al1 en the I- nnour conferred upo:i him by the >.nnci and trusted that his influence and cc-operation v.'ould enable them to carry on the work for the I'ueht and interests'of the borough. thanked Comtcd f. r the kind feelings shown towards him, wliieu I felt he did not deserve. He had been to three of their committee meetings and he telt t.-iite at 1;c.:ae, and he trusted that his conduct ¡:1 the Board-room and outside would be such that it would not lower the dignity of that august assembly. He thought the iirst thing they should cfa was to see that the crisis in which the country was engaged was over before they unreduced labour matters. Unless we were victorious, labour would have no place in th:s country, and it behaved every section of the I ?bour oarty to wor k and to do all they comd for the success of air arms in France. The Kaiser I said he was going to conquer by the sword, and he would have to be met by the sword, and there was no room for negotiations at the present time. As a member of the Labour party he was going to do all he could to help the country of his birth and the countrv he loved, and the King he adored. He hoped that the nation would stand together and that labour and capital would amicably settle their differences, _and he felt sure after the part that labour was playing they would have a better share in the prosperity t-f the country th'ti they had had in the past. Tha Supreme Sacrifice. The Mayor referred to the deatn m action ot Brigadier-General Barnett • Barker, who some [2 years ago was instrumental in getting the Cheshire Brigade, of which he was Brigade Major, to encamp at Abergavenny for two or three years in succession. No one in that district had risen so rapidly in the present war as Brigadier-General Barnett Barker. His record was one to be proud of, and to be cut off I'll the prime of lite after achieving such distiuc- tion was a sad blow. He proposed that they tender to Mrs. Barnett Barker and the family their deepest sympathy in the loss they had sustained. He also proposed that they tender to Judge and Mrs. Hill Kelly their deepest sympathy in the loss of the son of the latter, I tent. C. F. railing, killed in action, who had gained-the Military Cross in the present war, and also their sympathy to the family of Gunner \V. G. Jones, R.G.A., of Abergavenny, who was formerly manager of the Home and Colonial Stores at Treorchy. If anyone would inform them of any other casualties sustained in tht v.ar, the Council would propose votes of sym- pathy and record it on their minutes. Councillor Graham, in seconding, added the name of James Hill, killed on the nth, whose father formerly lived m. Princes-street. The vote was carried in silence. Message o? Confidence to the Troops. The Mayor proposed that the Council send a message of confidence in the troops at the front. They were fighting against great edds, and they needed all the encouragement they could get, and an expression of confidence that they would uphold the honour and dignity of the country would sustain them in their trials. Councillor Iball seconded, and the vote was carried. j Congratulations. The Mayor referred to the raising of £ 00,000 at Abergavenny during Business Men's Week, which amount had been considerably increased s ince. He thought that it was only proper that they should record the fact on the minutes, to show what Abergavenny did when asked to raise money for the war. Recently an ex- hibition was held at the City Hall, Cardiff, of plans of housing for the working classes, and it was very gratifying to find that Abergavenny came out prominently in the prizes. Mr. E. W. G. Richards, of Messrs. Johnson, Richards and Jones, architects, secured three first and one, second prizes, and he proposed that they con- gratulate him and the firm on the success they had attained. Councillor Plowman seconded, and it was carried. Councillor Horsington said that he felt, as a townsman, very much indebted to certain gentlemen for the great work they put in in con- nection with Business Men's Week, the secre- taries, the bankers, and Mr. Alfred Williams, St. Aryans..who took charge of this special effort. Good Sausages. Councillor Horsington said that the Food Control Committee recently hud an analysis of feed made, at the expense of the community, and he thought it was only right that. the result of it should be made public. The Mayor said that the committee had no objection to the report being given. Councillor Mansfield said he thought it should be. It was a very satisfactory report. The Town Clerk read a report from the County Analyst stating that he had analysed a sample of sausage received on the 14th inst., and found it to contain 13 per cent, of farinaceous sub- stances, 19 per cent.. of water, spices, and flavouring, and 63 per cent. of meat. l/nder the provisions of the Food Order relating to sausages the sample would come in Class A or Grade 1. The Mayor said that it was very gratifying to find that the sample taken unawares was so satisfactory. Councillor Graham Don't advertise it, or people will come here and buy all our sausages. (Laughter). Uncollected Rates A Statement Controverted- I Councillor Ho"?ngton called attention to a lvoort in the Chronicle of the meeting of the Guardians, at which a statement was made by Mr. John Prichard that the auditor told Liu that owing to the dilatory tactics in the collec- tions in Abergavenny urban there was a loss of a 6d. rate to the tawii. I want you to give an answer, Mr. Mayor, yea or nay; here and now," continued Councillor Horsington amid laughter, 11 so that the public and the inhabitants of the town may know the truth of the matter." The Mayor said that he had taken the trouble- to ascertain the particulars, and he would give them without making any comments whatever. The amount of Poor Rate uncollected at the end of the half-year was £ 1,138 19s. 81 d. The auditor suggested that if this had been collected the-rate would have been Gd. in the £ less. In that sum wrs £ y)% for the Borough Rate and f200 balance due to the Gui rdians, so if the whole of the II 1 -8 1<)5. ii, d been collected the position would have been as follows oids and allowances, £ 40 45. 8d. a balance 15s. oj d. Deducting the Borough Rate of ^398 and the £ .200 due to the Guardians there would be a balance 111 nand ot 515 15s. od., which was the sum the auditor authorised the overseers to keep in hand ior en) emergencies which might arise. It was not a cd. rate, 'and it was not lost to the town. it there was a balance it was carried forward to the ensuing year. The answer to the question was that there was not a 6d. rate lost. Councillor Graham May I s .y something 2 The Mayor -I t'.on't think we had better discuss it. Councillor Graham I wanted to say some- thing very much ta the point, but it will come up on the minutes, and I can have another go. Engineers' Conference at Abe gavenny. 1 The Town Cbrk read, correspondence from the Institute of Mun cipal and County Engineers I thanking the Council for their invitation to hold their institutional meeting at Abergavenny in I June next, and announcing that they had decided to accept the invitation. Corporation Printing and Trades Uition Wages. The Town r..(1. a letter from Mr. John Stark, secretary of the local branch of the I Printing and Kindred Trades Federation, asking the Council to meet a deputation of the Federa- ,1 ,n' t" 0'1 "1 11' ?i.?wlth regard to the allocation of municipal printing orders. and the advisability of placing the orders with those firms recognised as union Iiouses. Councillor Plowman said that he unc..er^tceu that their printing was done by firms who paio the trades union rates of wages and who recog- nised union rules. The question was discussed vime time ago, and the Finance Committee laid it down that those whose tender was accepted should abide bv that stipulation. He was .sur- prised to find thr.t there was any doubt about it at ail. Councillor. Telford said tilL there was a minute to the effect that all printing was to be done under trades union rules. Councillor Grahaln There is no such resolu- tion 011 the books. I know, what Councillor Telford means, however. The Town C erk said that in May, 1015, a resolution was carried on the proposition ox Councillor Palmer that in all fumre contracts for work of all descriptions a iair wages clause should be inserted and the trades union rate of pay should be paid by the employer. Owing to labour dihiexuties the Council had since decided to allocate .the printing in turn to each of the printers for periods of three inoutns. Councillor Plowman 'But it was uiKiei>too«% that the rate of wa g ?, was p, id. that the rate of wages was p id. The Town Clerk Yes. On the motir-r of Councillor Plowman, seconded bv Councillor Beckwith, the matter was referred to the Finance Committee, and it was decided to invite the deputation to attend, the inciting. Carcases at the Slaughter Houses. Councillor Plowman said that at their Lt monthly meeting there were some very dis- agreeable things said about the control ot their slaughter houses, and they were promised that there would he some improvement made 111 the management of this place. He was disappointed to find that there was nothing in the report now submitted to the Council, He understood that 1 right up to date carcases of meat were being I taken to the slaughter houses. Even last Mondav week therewere about 4S carcases taken there. He wanted to know whether such a thing as that was to he permitted ? Were tliey to eusxire that this meat was fit for human consumption, or were they to allow the ownei* to dish xip just what he pleased ? Their slaughter houses were intended for slaugh tn, and not as a dumping ground for carcases or anything that might be brought there.. He proposed that no carcases be allowed to be taken into the slaughter houses without the production of a certificate from the Medical Officer certifying that thcy were fitfor human consumption, the certificate to be paid for by the owner of the carcase, and that a notice to this effect be put up Oil the cut- side door of the slaxighter houses. Coitnciilor Graham, in seconding, said that he happened to be present when the carcases were taken to the slaughter houses. After being told that there was a lot of stuff spoiling at the slaughter he uses there was another importation of the same kind of meat. He did not know the number, but there was a G.W.R: wagon-load of dead calves, and this was after they had been asked for permission to sell another lot as veal, otherwise it would go bad. Something ought to be done. How were they to know whether the meat was good or bad ? The slaughter houses were used as a storage instead of as a -slaughter house. This importation took place 14 days after the order came in prohibiting the slaughter of calves. 'that Ie L-orcd the)- Councillor rieckwith- said that he hoped they would take drastic treasures for the benefit of the public. To his mind they were losing revenue. Councillor Sadler Will the resolution stop calves coming provided they are fit for human I consumption ? Councillor Plowman No. I want a certifi- cate from the Medical Officer of Health, and not from a veterinary surgeon. Councillor Mansfield said that he quite agreed with the proposition that they should safeguard the town and get the best possible meat, but he gathered from one speaker that the carcases were brought by the G.W.R., and that meant that they came some distance, and probably from another county. Probably the warm weather that prevailed recently made it neces- sary that they should be disposed of quickly. He quite agreed that they should take the pre- caxitious indicated. Councillor Telford said that the reason there was no report about the slaughter houses was that it was probable the Government would take I them over shortlv, and in that case it was hardly worth while doing anything. With regard to the resolution, he was quite as anxious as anyone that the public in Abergavenny and generally should have the best food pnssible. and that it should be above suspicion, but he did not think that they suffered to any great extent at Aber- gavenny in having food which was not fit for human consumption. If they passed this resolution and had to give a certificate for every calf, they would require a medical officer who would attend at the slaughter houses, and lie thought they would find that that was an im- possibility. It would mean that nothing would be brought in dead, and that everything must walk in (*n its legs or be brought in alive. Each of the butchers who used the slaughter houses paid rent for their lairs, and it was practically private property. They had restricted the hours of killing so that there would be a con- siderable saving in the matter of gas. He was very anxious that people should have good food, but he could not see his way clear to support the resolution. If Councillor Plowmen would move that the matter b £ referred to the Sanitary Com- mittee to go into with the Medical Officer of Health, he would be pleased to support him to ensure that his ideas were carried out. Councillor Tong said that the carrying out of the resolution was altogether impracticable. Was he right or wrong in saying that the proper person to pass their foed was the, Survey or ? He was the inspector under the Focd and Drugs Act. If he passed it it was saleable, ar.d if he rejected it it was unsaleable. The slaughter houses were under his control, and if 48 carcases came there he took it that it would be part of his duty to see that they were fit for human con- sumption. To bring the Medical Officer into it was impracticable, and he did not think he had I anything to do with the Sanitary Committee at all. They let the s laughter houses for a rent and the rent was paid. Whether focd was rightly or wrongly taken there was a matter for the Surveyor, who wouldvreport to them in the usxi.il war. The Town Clerk said that the Sxirveyor was the focd inspector, and if there w,.s any. doubt he called in the Medical Officer. The Live Stock Commissioner and officials were at Abergavenny the other day, and when the slaughter hoxises were t; ken over by the Government there would probably be an end to this business, as ever, thing would have to go through the Government agent. Councillor Plowman You will never stop carcases coming into oxir'slaughter house. The Mayor It will all have to come through the Government agents in two or three weeks. Councillor Plowman Yoxi might as well say two or three months. Having regard to what has happened, to our own knowledge, within the las three or four months I am going to press my la.sl three or f(,i,.r iii(,iths I ?iiii goiiig to pre'" iny Councillor Marsifdd said that any difficulty with regard to supervision might be got over by stipulating that 11 dead meat must be brought into the 1: ughter house during certain hours to be spi cifud by the Council. Councillor Graham said that the responsibility would f 11 upon the butchers who panted to import de: d meat. It would not be the Council's fault if they Ix; d to wait to g.t a ce rtificate. It was their business, not the Council's. He strongly supported l'eHll1cil1e r Phwman. They could get over the impracticable part. Councillor Horsington said that no one had been a bigger bugbear down at the Lughter houses than he had, and this matter w: s clue to him asking some ua>ty questions. There was ore tHng that everyone seeincd to have lost sight of and ih-t w s that if the resolution was, paved i1 the dead meat that came into Abcr- gawnny would go str; ight to the respective butcher's, inste: d. 01 to the slaughter house, ami- no one would have a chance of seeing it. If it was brought to the '-laughUr hoii?es Ù1C-Y would be :ble to cx'rcsi. a cert: in amount of suptr-I '.?'n. bui ot'.t.r.w?-e Ihcre wci?d be no super- visa .1 il. lie ))"r(f()e prop( ed ?n amend- mc:t ";I? t )Lis ju il'.r () h (k to ihe S' I I;t? ry I Con initU'- .tYr them ,0 c nidcr 1 lie best Y of  exercisinc <he necessar y '-i??rv:s''?n. i Councdh r ].) h fi. !d seo v;<kd. '-id ih. ?t 'ht'r h'st Couno nor l1ow)T i nicat mc.:ing C?'n?I r H; ?-<u'tin(i?''strtcd that :hev w. re not sp '?'"le t\r :ny meat which did not com into 1' e ir 1' mj tcr hou::es, Gr.d u<v? ne r?md '.Le ot^c-r v.- y. What he. (C(.mK' 1. r l li win n> w n.ed t > (! sure was the fitness of the meat which e?me em their pH.mises. of the ni,:?it iN-;I. i I Tiicv had nothing to do with meat which did not v I come on t1:c;l' i.f.c iil:< I On being put to the vote, the amendment was defeated by six votes to five. The resolution was then put and was also defeated by six votes to five, the result being received with loud laughter. I Councillor Graham A deadlock. The Mavor said that the committee could take the matter into their consideration at their next I meeting. Councillor Graham, en a point of order, con- tended that the matter was now disposed of, as the amendment and the resolution were ùc- feated. The Iayor said that the general feeling of the Council was that they should do what they could to ensure that ai! meat was fit, and the com- mittee might take it into ccnsidetatiou at their next meeting. I Bathing Facilities. I Councillor Sadler asked when they were going to deal with the question of bathing facilities. The time was going on and they ou?ht to do something, in order that they should not hav? soi-netliir, i. orti -?r ',LiaL tllev slic,,il(i i?,t a repetition ci what they had last summer. The Maye r The- committee wi!l bear it in I Rates and Water {hi.argej Councillor. Graham's "f iit. The Sanitary and Water Committee reported that a letter was read, frqm Mr. John Prichard, managing director of the Abergavenny Steam Laundry, applying for a reduction iu the water charges, owing to loss of trade, high cost of materials, etc., connected will: the establish- ment. The committee could not see their way to accede to tfte request. Councillor Graham asked what was the mean- ing of this. He did not understand it. Councillor Telford said that where water was supplied in bulk a reduced charge of gel. per 1,000 gallons was made. That was the charge made to the Steam Laundry, but Mr. Priciiard wanted a still further reduction. Councillor Graham said that Mr. Priciiard I. made a statement that Abergavenny was charging an extra Cd. 'rate and getting more money than they were entitled to, and then he asked them to favour a limited liability company with which he was connected to the disadvantage of every other ratepayer in Abergavenny. He was seeking advantages which he was not pre- pared to grant to anyone else. He was incon- sistent. and it was not likely that they would grant him facilities to carry on his business at a less to the rates. He had made a similar appli- cation to the Gas Committer for a reduction -in the price of gas and coke. He maintained that they. could, with equal right and not so much impudence, go to the company and ask them for some of the profits they had made in the past. He thought it was the height of impudence, and one of the baldest things stated in Abergavenny for some time. I Dadoing the Toils. I I Councillor Sadler asked if they could not do something more with regard to the collection of tolls for goods which were brought to the towi. Carts were being met on the roads roxmd the town and in the town, and the stuff was bought before it could be taken to market. He saw all instance on Tuesday where all the stuff was sold from a cart in a couple of minutes. Something would have to be done, or it would not be a 6d. rate but a is. rate lost to the town. Councillor Beckwith said that he had advo- cated that something should be done in this matter for a long time. They had a system in other towns of collecting tolls at the entrances to the town, but some seemed to think that it could not be done in Abergavenny. The time was ripe, and they would be forced to do it. reople were bringing stuff in in cartloads, and they did not pay a copper. Councillor Sadler It is not only that, but any price is paid for it, and it is not fair to the public generally. Councillor Plowman said that this matter had been discussed time after time. Councillor Beckwith was a member of the Markets toin- mittee, and they had gone into it as fully as they could, and they had asked' members of the Council to help them if they thought that the collection was not carried out as it should be. If the Council would authorise them to get men and would tell them where to get them they would put a regular squadron out every Tuesday to collect the tolls. Some months ago two or three men were sent out on special duty and they were outraged four or five hours and only brought back 2s. gd. That did not pay for their salaries.' These people dodged the collectors, it seemed. They'had put on extra ladies in the market on Tuesday to collect the tolls. Councillor Sadler It is not a question of collecting in thomarket, oxxt of collecting in the streets. Councillor Delafield If you collect in the town they will sell outside. The Surveyor said that a man was on street work every Tuesday. Councillor Plowman said that within the last four mouths the officials had drawn up a special report on the matter, and they had had special collectors. Councillor Sadler Can't the police help us in the matter ? The Mayor We have no control over them. Councillor Sadler I know, but in times like this they might be asked to help. Councillor Graham Can we prosecute anyone trying to evade the tolls ? The Town Clerk said that they could seize the goods till the toll was paid. Councillor Graham said that it was not fair that people should escape paying tolls. They maintained the market at considerable expense, and those who used their markets were ready enough to complain if there were any defects. Councillor Beckwith said that it was unjust to farmers who were honourable and were willing to pay the tolls and did pay them. While some were honourable there were others who sat up all night thinking hew to do them down. (Laughter). Councillor Iball said that the people who evaded the tolls were casuals, and he thought the only effective way to deal with them was to j allocate them to a certain portion of the market. They would then have the defaulters all to- ) gether, and it would cost them less expense to deal with them. Councillor Stdler said that tlicwbiggest sinners were the buyers. They were waiting about the streets to buy. He hzd seen people refuse to sell to them, but they pressed them to dq so until they consente d. Councillor Plowman said that any member of the Council who observed such things should report the matter at once to an official. That was what he would do if he saw anything of the kii d. Tiie matter then dropped.