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BOROUGH OF ISLINGTON COUNCIL AGENDA.—Jannary 3rd 1902.
padlocked milk cans are, as a matter of fact, conveyed by the railway companies at the reduced milk
rate (at owner's risk), provided that they are stamped with the tare weight of the cans, and that
Section 8 of the Companies' Conditions of Carriage does not apply to such cans.
With reference to the concluding sentence of Sir Henry Oakley's letter, viz., that it does not
appear to the companies that there is any difficulty in the senders protecting themselves against
alleged loss of milk in transit by sealing, padlocking, or otherwise fastening their cans, I am to point
out that the published conditions of the Great Northern Railway contain no provision relating to
sealed cans, but, on the contrary, state specifically (Section 8) that the company shall have power to
open any cans, a condition that appears to preclude their being securely fastened.
I am, etc.,
(Signed) P. G. Craigie,
IV.
From Assistant Secretary (Railway Department), Board of Trade, to Secretary, Board of
Agriculture.
24th November 1899.
Sir,
With reference to Major Craigie's letter of the 9th instant respecting the conveyance of milk by
railway companies, I am directed by the Board of Trade to transmit herewith, for the information of
the Board of Agriculture, a copy of correspondence which has since taken place between the Railway
Companies' Association and the Board of Trade on the subject.
I am, etc.,
(Signed) T. H. W. Pelham.
Enclosure No. 1.
From Railway Companies' Association to Assistant Secretary (Railway Department), Board of
Trade. '
November 15 th 1899.
Sir,
With reference to your letter (No. R. 13,936) of the 14th instant and the communication from
Mr. Craigie which accompanied it, respecting the regulations of the railway companies for the conveyance
of milk, and the question of liability tc prosecution in the event of milk being adulterated
in transit, I made enquiry before I replied to your letter dated May 20th, and was informed that, as a
matter of fact, the railway companies did convey milk in sealed cans, provided they were stamped
as required by Clause No. 4 of the railway companies' regulations.
With regard to Clause No. 8 of the regulations, the meaning is obvious that if there are
reasonable grounds for believing that a can contains a greater quantity of milk than that invoiced,
the companies in such cases reserve to themselves power to open the can to ascertain that the
quantity therein contained agrees with the quantity declared. It is simply a protective clause there
is no reason to exercise if the milk be honestly declared.
I am, etc.,
(Signed) H. Oakley.
Enclosure No. 2.
From Assistant Secretary (Railway Department), Board of Trade, to Railway Companies'
Association.
20th November 1899.
Sir,
I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant,
in reply to the letter from the Board of Agriculture of the 9th instant, respecting the regulations of the
railway companies for the conveyance of milk.
I am to state with reference to the first paragraph of your letter that the Board of Agriculture
also appear to wish to know if any difference is made in the rates charged for the conveyance of milk
when the milk is sent in sealed or padlocked cans.
With regard to the second paragraph, I am to enquire if the Board of Agriculture are to understand
that the companies reserve to themselves power to open sealed or padlocked cans, though
according to your letter of the 12th ultimo when the tare weight is stamped upon the outside of the
can the quantity of milk inside could, in case of doubt, be approximately ascertained by allowing
10J lbs. for each gallon of milk declared.
I am, etc.,
(Signed) Francis J. S. Hopwood.
Enclosure No. 3.
From Railway Companies' Association to Assistant Secretary (Railway Department), Board of
Trade.
November 21 st 1899.
Sir,
I am in receipt of your letter of the 20th instant (No. R. 14,232), respecting the communication
from the Board of Agriculture on the subject of the regulations of the railway companies for the
conveyance of milk. I am informed by all the principal railway companies that they do not make
any difference in the charges when sealed cans are used:
The companies do reserve the right to open locked cans when there is any reasonable doubt as
to the accuracy of the consignment.
I am, etc.,
(Signed) H. Oakley.
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