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17
COWSHEDS, DAIRIES AND MILKSHOPS.
These have been inspected both regularly and casually
several times during the year) and reports upon their
condition submitted to the Council at the time. They
have generally been found to be kept in a satisfactory
state. Any defects discovered at the times of inspection
have been promptly rectified by the occupiers or owners.
The bulk of the milk supplied in the district comes from
outside sources, there being only three sets of sheds in
the district. These are all well paved, drained and ventilated,
with ample provision for flushing of stalls and
troughs. Facilities are also provided for the washing of
the milkers' hands, and thorough cleansing of cans,
bottles, etc. There has been a great improvement in
the way in which the cows have been washed and
groomed. In one dairy a good plant has been laid down
for pasteurising the milk during the Summer months.
There has been no evidence that any milk supplied has
originated or conveyed infection in any of the cases of
infectious diseases notified. I have, however, often
noticed a deposit at the bottom of the churns, the covers
of which appear to me badly constructed for the purpose
of keeping dust and other extraneous matter away from
the milk. They should be made to overlap the top of
the churn, so as to carry any dust or water right away.
As at present used they form a kind of cup at the top of
the churn which retains any dirt or fluid and favours its
entry into the inside of the churn. The milk sent from
the country ought to have a rapid transit in locked
churns in special refrigerating vans, kept scrupulously
clean and used solely for the milk traffic, the churns
should be kept in special sheds at the stations while
waiting to be dispatched or fetched away. It is much
to be regretted that the Milk and Dairies' Bill introduced
into Parliament during the last Session by the President
of the Local Government Board in order to ensure a
more uniform and efficient administration of milk legislation,
had, through the exigencies of Parliametary business,
to be sacrificed.
Undoubtedly inspection of sheds, etc., without
veterinary examination of the cows leaves a great deal
undone in the direction of ensuring a safe milk supply,,
and I, therefore, again beg to advise that the Council
make arrangements to have all the cows within the district
from which milk is taken for human consumption
examined by a veterinary surgeon and tested for tuberculosis
at least twice a year, and on special occasions if
necessity arises.