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30
The Sale of Food and Drugs Acts.
During the year 400 samples were taken for analysis. Of the 400
samples 191 were milk, 181 being returned by the Public Analyst as
genuine samples, and 10 as adulterated. Prosecutions were undertaken
in 7 cases with the following results:—10.6 per cent. of added water—
fined 10s. and 10s. 6d. costs; 9.4 per cent. of added water—fined
10s. and 10s. 6d. costs; 87.6 per cent. of fat abstracted—fined £1
and 10s. 6d. costs; separated milk, 5 per cent. of added water—fined £2
and 10s. 6d. costs; 9.4 per cent. of added water—fined £1 and 10s. 6d.
costs; 11.3 per cent. of added water—fined £1 and £3 3s. costs (Westminster
Police Court); 17.6 per cent. of added water—fined £1 and
10s. 6d. costs.
In the remaining 3 cases of adulteration there were no proceedings;
in two, because the vendors were protected by warranties—3.5 and 7.4
per cent. of added water respectively; and in one case, because the
adulteration was slight, viz., 2.4 per cent. of added water.
Of butter 126 samples were taken, 123 being returned as genuine,
and 3 as adulterated. Proceedings were taken in all these cases with
the following results:—11.7 per cent. of excessive water—fined 10s. and
10s. 6d. costs ; 78 per cent. of foreign fat—fined £2 and 10s. 6d. costs ;
78 per cent. of foreign fat—fined £2 and 10s. 6d. costs. Of margarine
18 samples were taken, 17 being genuine, and one containing excessive
water (20. 9 per cent.). No proceedings were taken in this case.
Of cream 2 samples were analysed for private purchasers. Of
bread 18 samples were taken, 4 being returned as inferior by reason of
containing a slight excess of moisture. Of brandy 10 samples were
taken, 9 being genuine, and one adulterated, as it contained 3 per cent.
of excessive water. Of whisky 8 samples were taken, 6 being genuine,
and 2 adulterated, each containing 5 per cent. of excessive water. No proceedings
were taken in respect of the adulterated brandy and whiskies,
as in all cases notices of dilution had been displayed at the places of
sale. Of coffee 9 samples were taken, 8 being genuine and 1 adulterated,
as it contained 47 per cent. of chicory, but this sample was sold as a
mixture of coffee and chicory, and duly labelled, so no proceedings were
taken. Of cheese 9 samples were taken, all being genuine.
In 1907 the adulterated milks formed 5.2 per cent. of the total
number of samples of milk analysed, as compared with 6.2 per cent. in
1906. In 1907 the adulterated butters formed only 2.4 per cent. of the
total butter samples, as compared with 15 per cent, in 1906.
Smoke Nuisance.
Proceedings were again instituted against the Underground Electric
Railways of London, Company, Ltd., for permitting black smoke to escape
from each of their 4 chimnies in June, 1907, The case was heard at the
Westminster Police Court, on 7 different days between the 4th July
and the 2nd November, and the Magistrate, Mr. Curtis Bennett, dismissed
the four summonses, on which the proceedings were founded,
and granted 300 guineas costs to the defendant company. The learned