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97
It has been my practice to advise prosecution only in cases
about the seriousness of which there could be no doubt whatever;
that is to say, we have only taken to Court cases where the
meat seized was extremely unsound or in a state of advanced
disease, or cases where continued warnings had been of no avail.
In other cases, where extenuating circumstances of one kind or
another existed, we have been satisfied with severely reprimanding
or warning the owner of the meat, and in that way
have given him the benefit of any doubt. This policy has been
adopted, not from any desire to diminish the absolute strictness
of meat inspection, and, where necessary, prompt prosecution,
but from a knowledge of the ordinary exigencies and difficulties
of the trade, especially in hot weather. It is partly on this
account that I have to report a heavy list of confiscated meat
which has been surrendered to the Inspector (more than 75 tons
in weight). This amount includes the meat upon which legal
proceedings were instituted.