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183
speak for themselves, and while it would appear that, so far as
the actual facts connected with the adulteration of these samples
are concerned, the defendant was very properly dealt with, the
methods by which the conviction was obtained are not such as
will, I feel certain, altogether commend themselves to the Committee.
I have instructed Inspector Chuter that in future he is not to
take samples in course of delivery at the request of any milk contractor
without first consulting me. I do not, of course, wish to
imply that any blame attaches to Inspector Chuter or to any
person concerned in this transaction, but I feel sure . . . that it
is most desirable that in carrying out the provisions of the Sale
of Food and Drugs Acts every precaution should be taken to protect
the Council from being unwittingly made use of in cases in
connection with which their Statutory powers are being exercised."
No further action was officially taken by the Committee.
Butter.
One hundred and eighty-one samples of butter were taken,
and of these 23 (i.e., 12.7 per cent.) were reported by the Analyst
to be adulterated. The form of adulteration found to be present
in these 23 samples was, in 21 of them, added foreign fat, and
in 2 excess of water.
The added margarine ranged from a minimum of 24 per cent,
to a maximum of 88 per cent., viz., 24, 33, 36, 39, 39, 39.5, 42.5,
47.8, 48, 50, 55, 56, 74.5, 76.5, 77, 81, 82, 82, 84, 85, 88.
The two cases of adulteration from excess of water, the excess
found was 15 and 28 per cent, respectively beyond the legal limit.
In respect of these 23 adulterated samples, 20 convictions were
obtained. As regards the three remaining cases, in one instance
the Magistrate dismissed the case, not being satisfied that the
agent employed had asked for butter ; in another case the defendant
absconded ; while in the third case a warranty defence proved
successful.