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58
In 64 of the samples water was certified to have been added; in 20 the amount
was more and in 44 it was less than 5 per cent., taking the standard of the Board
of Agriculture. In 3 the samples showed deficiencies in milk fat; in 23 the deficiency
was more, and in 11 it was less than 5 per cent. In 16 instances both fat had been
abstracted and water added. Four of the samples contained traces of artificial
colouring matter, but none showed the presence of boric acid.
Legal proceedings were instituted in 46 or 34.5 per cent. of the cases in which
the samples of milk were below standard, and in 40 of these convictions were obtained.
In four instances the summones were dismissed, warranties being proved, and in
two cases the defendants absconded and could not be traced. With regard to the
remainder of the samples below standard the small percentages of adulteration
rendered it so very unlikely that convictions could be obtained, that prosecutions
were not considered advisable. In seven instances letters of caution were sent to
the vendors. The percentage of the adulterated samples in which it was not thought
advisable to prosecute was 65, as compared with 69 in 1910, 80 in 1909, 66 in 1908,
65 in 1907, 66 in 1906, 60 in 1905, and 55 in 1904.
In the cases in which convictions were obtained the penalties for milk adulteration
amounted to £63, which is equivalent to about 6.6 per cent. of the full amount of
the penalties to which the defendants were liable as compared with 4.4 per cent.
in 1910, 28 in 1909, 11.2 in 1908, 5.6 in 1907, 5.6 in 1906, 7.8 in 1905, 6 in 1904,
8 in 1903 and 13 in 1902.
Taking fines and costs, which in the aggregate amounted to £96 l1s. 6d., the
average amount paid by the defendants on conviction was £2 8s. 3d., as compared
with £1 l1s. 6d. in 1910, £12 6s. 4d. in 1909, £3 1s. 4d. in 1908, £1 13s. 7d. in 1907,
£2 9s. 6d. in 1906, £2 19s. 3d. in 1905, £2 6s. l0d. in 1904, £1 18s. 6d. in 1903,
and £2 18s. 4d. in 1902. The marked excess of the figures for the year 1909 was
due to two defendants being very heavily fined.