VPRS 15276 Register of Livestock Slaughtered

Entries in the register were arranged in chronological order. Totals were recorded for each week. Details include the date, locality, butcher, particulars of animals slaughtered, for what purpose the animals were slaughtered (invariably for sale), owner, and person from whom the animal was purchased. In the earlier period the register was divided into weekly sections. Later it was divided into quarterly sections. Information in relation to particular animals becomes less detailed over time. This may be the result of the increase in the number of animals slaughtered. Legislation has allowed for the impounding of cattle, subject to the subsequent Pounds Acts, by a private individual when they trespass upon land which he or she owns and occupies and also when they are wandering without control on a public road which is fenced on both sides and which adjoins his or her land. Likewise, the Council may impound any cattle which trespass on any public highway or private street, road, bridge or ferry within the municipal district and also cattle which are driven along or on to any public street or road for the purpose of grazing without the consent of the Council. Impounded cattle are held by the poundkeeeper until released by the owner by payment of all pound fees and trespass rates. If such fees and rates are not paid the cattle may in certain circumstances be sold by the poundkeeper and in other circumstances he may destroy them and sell the carcasses. It is likely that this register was maintained to record such activity.

本登记册内的所有条目均按时间顺序排列，每周的总屠宰数据均会被记录在册。登记详情涵盖屠宰日期、事发地点、屠宰商、待屠宰动物的详细信息、屠宰用途（均为售卖）、动物所有者以及从其处购得该动物的人员。早期该登记册按周划分章节，后期则调整为按季度划分。随着时间推移，单只动物的记录细节逐渐简化，这大概率与屠宰动物总量的增长有关。根据后续颁布的《牲畜收容法》（Pounds Acts），立法允许私人在两种情形下扣留牲畜：一是牲畜闯入其所有并实际占用的土地；二是牲畜在毗邻其土地的双侧围栏公共道路上无管控游荡。同理，市政委员会可扣留以下牲畜：闯入市政辖区内公共公路、私人街道、道路、桥梁或渡口的牲畜，以及未经委员会许可被驱赶到公共街道或道路上放牧的牲畜。被扣留的牲畜由牲畜收容管理员保管，直至牲畜所有者缴清全部收容费用及侵入罚金后方可领取。若未按期缴纳上述费用与罚金，在特定情形下，收容管理员可出售被扣留的牲畜；其余情形下则可宰杀牲畜并售卖其畜体。本登记册的设立初衷大概率即为记录上述各类相关活动。