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44
Of the adulterated samples sold as butter, 13 were margarine, one was a mixture
of margarine and butter, and one contained a slight excess of water, as compared
with the standard amount allowed in butter.
Legal proceedings were taken in 10 instances, or 66 per cent, of the cases in
which the samples were adulterated. In each case a conviction was obtained. With
respect to the remaining five, four were investigated by the Health Committee, who
decided that they were not cases which ought to be taken before a magistrate. The
fifth was the case of excess of water. The amount of this excess was so small that it
was not thought advisable to prosecute.
Nine samples were taken under the Margarine Act. Four of these were found to
contain small quantities of starchy matter, the largest amount being 1.5 per cent. In
one instance the vendor was proceeded against for selling margarine in an unstamped
wrapper, but the magistrate would not convict. He allowed the Council 12s. 6d.
costs, however.
The penalties inflicted in the cases in which convictions were obtained for infringements
of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts in respect to butter and margarine
amounted to £51 10s. 0d., which was equivalent to 12 per cent, of the maximum
penalties to which the defendants were liable, as compared with 17 per cent, in 1905,
10 per cent, in 1904, 18 in 1903, and 17 in 1902. Including costs, the amounts imposed
by the magistrates for each conviction averaged £5 3s. Od., as compared with
£7 1s. Od. in 1905, £3 1s, Od. in 1904, £4 10s. Od. in 1903, and £4 10s. Od. in
1902.
During the first quarter of the year one sample of sausage was taken which was
found to contain 25 grains of boric acid per pound. No further samples were taken,
pending the Tesult of the appeal referred to in my last Annual Report. This appeal
not having been proceeded with by the end of the year, the matter again came before
the Health Committee, who gave instructions for a letter to be sent to the traders
concerned in the Borough, warning them as to the liability of proceedings being taken
under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts in cases where samples of sausages are found
to contain boric acid.
Five of the samples of tinned corned beef and the sample of tinned roast beef contained
small quantities of tin and zinc, the largest amount found being 0.39 grains of tin
per pound.
The samples of jam, lard coffee, cheese, dripping and minced meat were all
genuine.