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cropped up at one period) departed from their old established rale of
giving warnings instead of prosecuting on very small oases, and proceeded
against a vendor of milk. In this, however, they met with no
encouragement, the Magistrate dismissing the matter as too trifling.
Whether any adulteration at all can be considered " too trifling "
for even a nominal penalty is, of course, a matter open to discussion,
but, personally, I consider that the old custom is the
wiser one. Magistrates are always more likely to visit defendants
with proper punishment when they see that there is not the slightest
appearance of straining after convictions on the part of the
prosecuting Bodies, while at the same time, all real offenders are
rigorously followed up.
I have the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN MUTER, VH.n.; f.r.s.(Edin.); f.t.c., &c.,
Public Analyst.
South London Central Public Laboratory,
325, Kennington Eoad, S.E.,
February, 1894.