View report page

53
that the milk contained 13 per cent, of added water, evidence satisfactory to the
magistrate was given on behalf of the defendant that the milk was sold as supplied by
the contractor, there being no warranty and the summons was dismissed. A similar
result for a like reason occurred in connection with another case, in which, as a result
of analysis, a sample of milk was found to be deficient in fat to the extent of 15 per
cent. In one case in respect to milk, the proceedings failed on account of the
production of a warranty. In one instance, in which the analysis showed that
margarine had been sold in place of butter, the defendant absconded. In a case in
which mustard was found to contain 15 per cent, of wheaten flour with traces of
tumeric, it w.ts not deemed advisable to prosecute, and in a case of adulterated
milk a summons was withdrawn on the production of a warranty. In twelve instances,
in which small amounts of water were found to have been added varying from 2 to 4
per cent., and in two instances in which the fat was deficient to the extent of 2 per
cent., no proceedings were taken. In sixteen instances in the case of samples sold as
butter, and in three instances of milk, traces of boric acid, or a preparation thereof, are
mentioned on the analyst's certificates.
SANITARY STAFF.
During the first half of the year the amount of work thrown upon the sanitary
staff, in consequence of the outbreak of small-pox, was extremely heavy, and as I have
already stated in my remarks on the measures taken for dealing with the outbreak, it
was necessary to increase the number of men employed in disinfecting to double the
usual number, which increase was maintained until the epidemic came to an end.
Owing to illness inspector Quelch was unable to perfoim his duty for several
weeks during the summer. The work on his district was attended to as far as
practicable by the chief inspector end inspectors Firth and Langstone. The
incfease in the amount of clerical work consequent upon the coming into operation of
the Factory and Workshops Act, 1901, rendered additional clerical assistance
necessary. The Health Committee accordingly appointed Mr. H. P. Abbot, who has
been messenger and general assistant in the Health Department, since midsummer,
1901, to devote the whole of his time to clerical work, and Mr. W. Harris was
appointed to fill the vacant post of messenger and general assistant.
The manner in which the officers of the department have discharged their duties
during the year has been to my satisfaction; and in conclusion, I beg to express my
thanks to the chairman and members of the Health Committee for the consideration
and assistance they have given me in connection with my work.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
LEWIS T. FRASER BRYETT,
Medical Officer of Health.