Humane stunning by means of electricity was further developed and was used in the Abattoir and Municipal Pig Slaughterhouse for all calves, sheep, goats, pigs and approximately 50 per cent. of oxen, the remainder of these being humanely killed "by -shooting, excepting, of course, those intended for Jewish consumption.
The Department's Pig Stunner was further perfected, and the Ox Stunner has also been improved, although further experimentation is desirable.
The installation of equipment for electric stunning in all the private pig. slaughterhouses, in accordance with amended licence conditions, was unavoidably delayed by hostilities, but has now been completed in the slaughterhouses in the Western District where, since the closing of the Abattoir, Municipal Pig Slaughter-bouse and 2 Private Pig slaughterhouses in the war affected areas, the Settlement's kill of pigs and a few oxen were handled, the bulk of oxen, however, "going tu the French Abattoi ing Rooms amounted to 3,672,412 pounds, an increase of 30 per cent over 1936, Over half a million pounds of neat was handled at the Cold Storage Plant, an increase of 208 per cent. over 1936. In addition, Over 13,000 cases and tins of eggs and lard were received for storage. Receipts exceeded $10,000 of which 54 per cent. derived from goods other than meat. On the whole, the Cold Storage Plant showed satisfactory development, and although this block was hit by three shells, and over 15000 pounds of meat and organs were spoilt, during the days when it was impossible to operate the Plant, no less than $150,000 worth of meat and other products were safely stored therein throughout hostilities in the immediate vicinity The total amount of materials received by the Disposal Plant (308,296 lbs.) decreased 32 per cent, compared with 1936, but considerable improvements have been made in the quality of by-products and in the balance sheet. Successful experiments have been made with bone rendering and the production of lard oil and liver meal, the latter for dog biscuits. During the first month of hostilities, rejected meat was disposed of by burning and dead clair animals were buried or cremated under Departmental supervision. By the middle of September it was possible to recommence activities on a small scale, with normal operations sallowing from October 13. By the end of November, the Plant was taxed to its full capacity, in fact, tons of material from dead horses and pigs w accumulated in a special room in the Cold Storage, pending disposal, The Disposal Vans were used extensively for emergency transport, Conditions at the Observation Kennels were very satisfactory, The number of animals received for observation was slightly lower than in previous years, and the number of rabid cases was 50 per cent. lower. Cases received Xrom other sources also decreased, to about 25 per cent, a favourable state of affairs in which the Police campaign against stray dogs proved of great value.
During hostilities the Gordon Road Police Station Kennels were used for Observation purposes,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.