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277
[1910
About noon on Friday, October 7th, Inspector Burrell was in Rufford
Street, when he saw two men with a milk barrow containing a swing churn
as well as several hand cans and an eight-quart can, which was suspended
from hooks on the shaft rail.
His attention was drawn to them because the man, who appeared to be
the owner of the barrow, continuously rattled the churn lid and should " Pure
new milk." The inspector approached the barrow and asked for " a pennyworth
of milk," at the same time handing a half-pint jug for it.
He was served without remark from the eight-quart can, which at that
time contained about seven quarts.
The inspector handed the vendor a penny, and as he had been given short
measure, he waited in order that the salesman might have an opportunity of
returning the change before he declared who he was. No change being forthcoming
however, he informed the seller that he was an Inspector under the
Sale of Food and Drug Acts, and that he had purchased the milk for the
purpose of having it analysed by the Public Analyst. The seller made no
immediate remark, but after a few seconds followed Mr. Burrell to the footpath,
where he was dividing the sample, and said, " Here ! you want some
change; you have only got a farthingsworth," and thereupon offered him three
farthings. Mr. Burrell informed the man that he had very distinctly asked him
for a pennyworth of milk, and that he should decline to accept any change,
as he had had every opportunity of giving it before he told him who he was.
The seller and his assistant then took up a position one on either side of
the inspector, both considerably impeding him in the operation of
dividing the sample by their attempts to handle the bottles and force the
change on him, and by their insulting behaviour. The vendor at this time said
the milk was skim milk, and commenced to shout " Milk, penny a quart."
The inspector showed the defendant the divided samples that he might
have an opportunity of checking the numbers, but instead he jostled him and
declined to check them. He, however, accepted the third part.
On asking the defendant for his name and address, he replied " The same
as on the barrow," and then repeatedly shouted " Pure new milk."