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when the case was adjourned for the third portion of the sample
taken on the 5th August to be sent to the Government Analyst.
The hearing was resumed on the 4th November, when the Government
Analyst's certificate was received, which practically confirmed
the Borough Public Analyst's certificate, which declared the
sample to be adulterated to the extent of 39.5 per cent. In giving
evidence, the defendant charged the inspector with tampering with
the sample, her allegation being that after taking it and dividing
it in the usual manner, leaving one portion with her, he changed
the two portions he took away with him, and that with regard to
the sample taken on the 9th September, when his agent purchased
the butter, she immediately left the shop, and that five or six
minutes later she returned with the inspector, who then divided the
sample, which in the meantime had been changed. Defendant stated
that she took the portion of the sample taken on 5th August, left
with her, to the Government Analyst, and that there she was given
the names of several analysts. She went to one of these gentlemen,
who analysed the sample and certified that it was genuine.
The case was adjourned, the Magistrate suggesting that the
Analyst referred should be called at the next hearing.
The case was resumed on the 18th November, when the
Analyst who had given the certificate to the defendant in respect
of the sample of butter she had submitted to him for analysis
attended, and gave evidence in support of his certificate. He
admitted that he had not noted whether the sample was sealed,
his impression being that it was not; that if it had been, he would,
he thought, have noted it.
The Magistrate convicted on both summonses, and imposed
a fine of £5 (and £5 19s. 6d. costs) in respect of the first summons,
and £20 (with 14s. 6d. costs) in respect of the second summons,
or £31 14s. in all. At the same time he stated there were no
grounds for the serious charges made against the inspector.
Sausages.
Eighteen samples of sausages were obtained and submitted for
analysis to the Public Analyst. Of the 18 samples taken, 9 (i.e.,
50 per cent.) were declared by the Analyst to contain added preservative
(i.e., boric acid) in varying proportions, from 12.397
grains per lb. to 49.588 grains per lb.