View report page

109
Of the 184 samples taken by the Vestry 42 were found to be adulterated or not
of the nature, substance and quality demanded by the purchaser. In addition to these
five samples of milk were found to contain a small percentage of water beyond what
is normal to milk. Proceedings were taken by the Vestry's inspector in 33 cases,
and convictions obtained in 30. Pines were inflicted amounting to £66 7s. 6d., and
costs were allowed amounting to £12 1s.
In 1894 a Select Committee of the House of Commons was appointed on food
products adulteration, and during their sessions a large amount of evidence was
collected from various sources upon the subject, the results being embodied in a
report presented to Parliament in 1896. Towards the close of the session of 1897, a
Bill to amend the Acts relating to the sale of Food and Drugs was introduced into
the House of Commons by the Eight Hon. W. H. Chaplin, M.P., and Mr. T. W.
Russell, M.P. This Bill has been considered by the Council of the Society of Public
Analysts, who, in a report on the Bill, point out that in most essential particulars
the recommendations of the Select Committee appear to have been passed over, and
attention is drawn to the most important omissions in the Bill, the chief of which is
the failure to carry out the recommendation of the Select Committee with respect to
the constitution of an authority "who should act as a Court of Reference, upon
scientific and other questions arising under the Act, and should be empowered at
their discretion to prescribe standards and limits of the quality and purity of food."
The Court of Reference suggested, was to consist of "the principal officers of the
Government Laboratory, nominees of the Local Government Board and Board of
Agriculture, one or more analysts of repute, and representatives of the General
Medical Council, the Institute of Chemistry, and the Pharmaceutical Society," and
other scientific men whose services may be found necessary. It was also suggested
that the trading and manufacturing community should be represented, and that the
court should be a standing departmental committee appointed by the Board of Trade.
It appears to me that the formation of such a court of reference would be to the
advantage of the public authorities and of vendors, in the saving of time and money
spent over settling scientific points in connection with cases now fought out in courts
of justice. The recommendations contained in the report of the Food Products
Adulteration Committee should with as few modifications as possible be embodied in
any Bill which may be introduced into Parliament during the Session of 1898.
SANITARY STAFF.
The following officers comprise the Vestry's stanitary staff:—
1. A medical officer of health.
2. A public analyst.
3. A chief inspector and 5 inspectors.
4. A clerk, an assistant clerk, and a messenger.
5. A disinfecting officer and 2 assistants.
6. A mortuary keeper.
7. A caretaker for the Vestry's shelter.