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62
In 10 cases the samples of milk were slightly below the standard
suggested by the Board of Agriculture. Being first offences, the
vendors were written to calling their attention to the fact, and asking
them for some explanation, further samples being taken
subsequently.
Of these 10 samples, 6 contained an excess of water to the
extent of an average of 2.3 per cent., whilst 4 were deficient in fat
to the extent of an average of 4 per cent.
Of the 11 prosecutions for selling adulterated milk it is interesting
to note that five only were retailers (one of these was
withdrawn on plea of warranty from the farmer, who was successfully
prosecuted), and the remaining cases were all farmers and
wholesale dealers sending milk into the town.
One hundred and four informal, or test, samples of butter
were purchased of which 18 proved to be not genuine, and 9
similar samples of coffee were taken, of which 3 proved not
genuine. In 10 instances, when subsequent samples of butter were
purchased and the formalities of the Act complied with, genuine
butter was supplied. In 8 cases the fraud was repeated and prosecutions
followed. The subsequent samples of coffee proved
genuine.
The test samples were all purchased by a woman in small
quantities with other articles, generally during the busy periods in
the evenings.
The following table has been prepared from figures kindly supplied
by the Borough Analysts (Mr. Lester Reed and Mr. P. G. Sanford):—
Total number of Samples of Milk collected and percentage below
standard.