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The circular letter issued by the Council last year warning
Milk Sellers that an offence was committed when Milk
plus a preservative was supplied, has had a most beneficial
effect. From the commencement of taking samples to the
date of that circular the majority contained preservatives,
some in very excessive quantities.
In not a single sample of milk duriug the past year has a
preservative of any kind been found.
Similar procedure was adopted with respect to cream this
year. After the first samples were taken which showed Boric
Acid present in excessive quantities, the Cream Sellers were
circularised with equally good results, the second lot of
samples being found free.
The only prosecution taken was against a Milk Seller
found to be selling milk contrary to an undertaking given the
magistrates in 1906, when a case against her for selling milk
containing 18 per cent. of added water was heard. She was
now fined with costs, for selling milk containing 9 per cent.
of added water, £6 10s. 6d., and for keeping milk (in a bedroom)
contrary to the Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops Regulations,
£3 9s. 6d., or £10 in all, or in default 21 days'
imprisonment.
Food Inspection.— The usual inspection at irregular
periods have been made at fruiterers, fishmongers, butchers,
and other shops where food is prepared and sold, and on Saturday
afternoons and evenings, the stalls and barrows as well as
the shops in the Broadway, Merton Road, and High Street,
Merton.
Legal Proceedings to enforce compliance with the requirements
of the Public Health Acts or the Council's Bye-laws
were necessary in two instances only.
The first case was against a firm of house agents for permitting
a nuisance to continue at No. 24, High Street, Merton,
the house being occupied without having a proper water
supply. The Magistrates permitted the summons to be withdrawn
on the payment of £1 10s. 6d. costs.
The second was against the occupier of a portion of the
house No. 62, High Street, Merton, for causing a nuisance by
the improper keeping therein of dogs. An order to cleanse
the premises and remove the dogs within seven days was made
with 10s. 6d. costs.
Diseases of Animals Acts.— An outbreak of Sheep Scab
took place in February amongst a flock of 130 sheep at Warren
Farm, Wimbledon Common. The infection was undoubtedly
brought by sheep bought at Shrewsbury. A detention order
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