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water, or 50 per cent, in excess of the legal limit for butter. It
was pointed out to the Vendor that the sample was taken from
the bulk referred to above, and which was marked "Pure butter,"
Is. 2d. per lb. Further, that the outside wrapper should have
contained the disclosure. Proceedings were taken in this case,
and the Magistrate convicted and imposed a fine of £10 (with
14s. 6d. costs), holding that the outside wrapper should have
contained the disclosure.
Proceedings were taken against a m&n for selling margarine
wholesale without being registeied. He was convicted, and a fine
of 10s. (with 23s. costs) imposed.
A case of considerable importance, which, owing to the serious
allegation made against the Council's inspector in the course of
his duty, was that in which a grocer and provision dealer in Bridge
Road was prosecuted in respect of two samples purchased as butter
on the 5th August and 15th September respectively, and both of
which on analysis were found to be adulterated—the first to the
extent of 39.5 per cent., and the second 88 per cent., with foreign
fat.
Earlier in the year (April, 1908) the defendant had been
sampled by the inspector, the sample on that occasion being reported
by the Public Analyst to contain 50 per cent, of foreign fat.
Proceedings were taken against the vendor, but the case was dismissed,
the magistrate (Mr. Garrett) stating that he was compelled
to do so on the ground that the agent, a boy aged 14 years, who
had been employed by the inspector to purchase the sample,
under cross-examination, was not sure whether he had
asked for "butter," and that if proceedings had been taken
for selling the article without a wrapper properly marked, he
thought an offence had been committed by the defendant. He
further stated that he did not believe the evidence of the defendant's
witnesses.
With regard to the second case, two summonses were issued
in respect to two samples of butter purchased from defendant on
the 5th August and 9th September respectively. The first hearing
came on before the Magistrate (Mr. Chapman) on the 9th October,