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76
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 100 tons in weight). This amount includes the meat upon
which legal proceedings were instituted About 80 per cent, of the
total was foreign meat (chiefly Dutch and American).
It will be seen in the above Table that of 26 prosecutions instituted
by us, three were dismissed, without costs. One prosecution
has not yet been tried owing to the defendant absconding, and two
prosecutions vere for assault and not for meat siezure. The
remaining 20 prosecutions resulted in convictions and penalties
varying from £2 to £100.
The two first dismissals were on a point of law. May 22nd.
Thos. E. Cue: 36 pigs' livers and 24 pigs' livers). The case was
heard at the Guildhall, E.C., before Sir Horatio Davies, M.P., who,
though accepting the unsound condition of the meat as a fact, and
holding that the prosecution had been rightly instituted, dismissed
the case in view of the absence of the master and owner of the meat.
The learned magistrate, at our request, stated a case for the High
Court, but it was not proceeded with, owing to the critical illness of
the defendant.
The third case dismissed was that of the Green Peas, which is
fully dealt with in the present report (pp. 79) as it is one of
importance.
The case for December 4th concerned a barrel of diseased horseflesh,
deposited for sale as human food. It came from Chatham.
The summons was not served as the defendant had left the country.
We issued a warrant for his arrest, but up to the end of the year
this had not been effected.
Twice during the year it has been necessary to issue summonses
for obstructing and assaulting the Meat Inspector in his work.
Both defendants were convicted and fined. In one case it was
necessary to issue a warrant for arrest.