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130
were obtained, together with £71 7s. 6d. in penalties, and £38
17s. Od. in costs.* In 16 cases the vendors were cautioned. Full
details are to be found on pp. 131—135,and in the Appendix (pp.
26—32).
Taking the average of 10 years (1891-1900), the annual
number of samples taken in the old Parish of Lambeth is 501,
of which 74 (i.e., 14.8 per cent.) were found, on analysis, to be
adulterated; whilst the annual average number of summonses
issued is 53, with 52 convictions and £104 5s. 5d. in penalties,
and £35 0s. 3d. in costs. In 16 cases (average), the vendors were
cautioned. In the Borough, 710 and 704 samples respectively
were taken during 1901 and 1902.
It will be noted that 1010 samples have been taken by the
Food and Drugs Inspector, and analysed by the Public Analyst,
during 1903—the largest number ever taken by the Borough
Council, or by the late Vestry, in any one previous year. This is
owing to the new arrangement made by the Council at the
commencement of 1903, by which a minimum 1000 samples per
year are taken and analysed. The Analysts' Salary is £400
per annum (payable quarterly) in connection with the analysis of
the 1000 samples, whilst a fee of 10s. per sample is paid
for every extra sample analysed over and above the 1000 yearly.
This is a satisfactory advance, but a still larger number of
samples must be taken in Lambeth if the Food and Drugs Acts
are to be efficiently administered. The Annual Report of the
Local Government Board 1902-3 gives, as the average for
London, one sample analysed for every 252 persons.
No samples were received by the Public Analyst during 1903
from private purchasers in Lambeth Borough.
In one instance, the Food and Drugs Inspector was obstructed
in the course of his duty, by being refused a sample of milk (for
analysis) by a man with a barrow in Lyham Road on June 22nd.
* Two milk summons were dismissed on account of the warranty being
proved, and two fresh summonses taken out against the Farmers (one being
dismissed and the other withdrawn); and one was withdrawn (the wrong
man having been summoned). A coffee summons was dismissed (vide p. 131).
In 35 cases, no summonses were taken out—the amounts of adulteration
being too small, or the legal technicalities such as not, to promise convictions.