Windsor & Richmond Gazette, Saturday, February 24, 1900 - page 5 THE ABATTOIRS. A few facts, or arguments, in favor of the Abattoirs being established on Penrith Common : - 1. With the abattoirs established in this district the Sydney people could feel secure in that a thorough inspection of all meat slaughtered would be made by a staff of resident inspectors who would not have several other duties to attend to and could therefore give all their time to their work. 2. The cattle would have the advantage of a few days quiet and rest from the effects of long railway journeys engendering a feverishness which is only accentuated by the strange surroundings which the stock have now to live amongst at Homebush and in this item alone the meat sent for consumption in Sydney will be increased in healthfulness by a good 50 per cent. 3. Then there is the question of feed and water. Of the former they get none from the time they enter the trucks until they are slaughtered or until they are sold anyway, and of water they are supplied from dirty dams of stagnant fluid repulsive to the thought. 4. The distance from Sydney to the proposed site is inconsiderable when we come to consider the long distances milk, fruit, and all kinds of produce are sent into the city ; this locality is exceptionally convenient, a little over an hour's run from the metropolis, and still able to supply Sydney with country-killed meat. 5. The locality which we propose to dedicate to this industry is absolutely unique in its advantageous situation ; a short loop-line of railway (say from Richmond via Hawkesbury College to Penrith) would put us in communication with almost the entire colony from whence stock could be sent direct to the slaughtering yards, and the markets, a few days rest being given them before sale days. 6. The present abattoirs situated as they are now constitute a standing menace to public health. 7. The utilization of the spare land in the locality under notice would overcome one of the most forcible objections waged against killing stock after long railway journeys as the rest they would get would improve the quality of the meat, thus improving the health of the community. 8. The proposed site (the Penrith Common) has one large advantage insofar as its area is 10,000 to 12,000 acres, the whole being Crown Lands, thus saving the Government any unnecessary expense in the purchase of property. 9. Were the abattoirs established near the College, the students could be taught and fitted to carry out inspection in practical form, which would benefit them considerably in aftertime. 10. The establishment of the abattoirs on the proposed site would mean the utilization of a very large area of land which otherwise will remain idle until the end of time, whilst the land that they at present occupy can be used for a better purpose. 11. There can be no better site for the establishment of factories, such as for the manufacture of glue, soap, candles, leather, etc., which could be carried out in connection with these works, and which could not be carried on in the boundary of a township without a certain amount of unpleasantness. 12. The construction of a loopline of railway from Richmond to Penrith would be inexpensive, as the country is practically level, and now that the motors connected with the tramway in Sydney are about to be thrown out, they could be utilized on such a line. 13. Provide a plentiful supply of manure for the H. A. College at a reasonable rate. 14. Provide ample employment for hundreds of local people and unemployed.