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68
Proceedings were taken in 17 of these cases, in two
other cases proceedings were not taken because of certain
technical difficulties with respect to the service of the
summons upon the proper person.
These proceedings resulted in fines and costs being
imposed in 8 cases, in 2 cases warranties were established
to the satisfaction of the Court. The remaining 2 summonses
were not served, as the defendant had gone away
and left no proper address, and 5 cases were dismissed.
Defendants in each of these latter cases producing expert
evidence to rebut the presumption raised under the
Board of Agriculture's milk regulations, that the milk,
although in each case below the standard therein specified,
yet was delivered as it was produced by the cow. The
evidence tendered in this way was of a very general
character, however, showing that at this 'season of the year,
and particularly in this neighbourhood on the boundaries
of Kent and Sussex, cows were not giving milk up to the
standard set out in. these regulations. These cases seem to
show how difficult the position of the small milk retailer
is, because if farmers are thus allowed to supply milk
below the standard, and yet can get off when proceedings
are taken against them, how can the retailer be able to
supply milk up to the standard, and he seldom is able to
produce a warranty from the wholesale firm, they, generally
speaking, being very loth to take this responsibility.
A point has arisen during the year as to whether or no
it is necessary under the Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops
Regulations, for a person who sells only separated
milk to be registered under these regulations. As far
as can be seen no such requirement is necessary, and,
accordingly, premises may be used for this purpose which
are entirely unsuitable; fortunately the number of enquiries
and inspections that were made of the premises