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Fish.—One trunk of rock-salmon, 1 box of codling, 5 barrels 1 trunk and 2
cases of skate, besides about 15 stone of loose fish of the same kind, 51 dozen pairs
of kippered herrings, 20 stone of dabs, 6 stone of plaice, 1 cwt. of haddocks, and
1| bushels of whelks. Meat.—About 40 lbs. of beef, 56 lb®, of veal, 176 lbs. of
mutton, and 8 cwt. 2 qrs. 4 lbs. of rabbits. Preserved foods.—Meat, fish, game, etc.,
about 7½ tons. Vegetables.—About 19 cwt. of greens, 13 boxes of tomatoes, 1 crate
of bananas, and 3½ barrels of grapes.
With respect to the preserved food's, on December 17th an intimation was received
from the liquidator in the case of a firm in liquidation in the Borough
that there was, on the premises lately occupied by the firm, a large
quantity of preserved food-stuffs in tins, glass jars, and other receptacles,
which was probably unsound. Inspector Jordan accordingly visited the premises
and took possession of all the food-stuffs thereon. After an. examination of a
large number of samples, the conclusion was arrived at that the bulk was unfit for
food. The liquidator was communicated with and informed of the result of our examination,
and that it would be necessary to take the unsound goods before a magistrate
unless he was prepared to leave the matter entirely in our hands to deal with the
food-stuffs as might be thought expedient. This he was prepared to do, and had no
objection to what was condemned as unfit for food by the Medical Officer of Health
being destroyed. Thereupon a careful examination of the food-stuffs upon the premises
was made, which resulted in the destruction of nearly the whole as unfit for
food. Altogether, some 19,449 tins, bottles, glass jars, and other receptacles were
spiked, broken, or otherwise spoilt, and after treatment with disinfectants were removed
as trade refuse by the Highways Department.
The revelations in respect to the Chicago canned meat trade had a markedly prejudicial
effect upon the sale of preserved meats in the Borough during the year. Enquiries
made in June at 126 shops where canned meats were sold, showed that whilst
there had. been no complaints as to the quality of the meat, the sale had' greatly decreased.
In fact, in several instances it had altogether ceased, and not only was the
sale of American meats affected, but of Australian and other brands also. A number
of samples of canned meats were examined at the shops, but there was nothing to
indicate that they were likely to be injurious.
SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACTS.
The reports of the Public Analyst, Sir Thomas Stevenson, show that during the
year 520 samples were submitted for analysis under the above Acts. This number
is at the rate of one sample for every 224 persons in the Borough, and gives a rate
of 4.4 per 1.000 inhabitants per annum. Each of the inspectors took 108 samples,
except Inspector Pearson, who took 88. The latter did not commence sampling until
the end of February. The inspectors each take on an average four samples every
fortnight.