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82
Transit of Milk by Rail.—The attention of the Health Committee having been
directed to the delivery of unsealed Churns containing Milk at the Railway Stations,
instructions were given for a communication to be addressed to the London and
North Western Railway Company, the Midland Railway Company, the Great
Northern Railway Company and the Metropolitan Railway Company, aud the
following letter was forwarded to each of these Companies.
Health Department,
St. Pancras.
14th January, 1898.
Dear Sir,
Milk.
The Health Committee of the Vestry of Saint Pancras, at its meeting held on
Wednesday last, was informed that some Railway Companies prohibit Milk Churns
from being locked. With a view to being supplied with correct information, I am
requested by the Health Committee to ask you the following questions :—
1.—Does your Company prohibit Milk Churns being fastened in such a manner
as to prevent anyone except the possessor of the key from opening them.
2.—If so, would you kindly inform me how the prohibition is enforced, and
what are the reasons for so doing ?
3.—And further, if so, are any precautions adopted against the possibility of
any persons tampering with the milk whilst upon your premises or in
transit in your possession ?
As this Authority carries out the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, I shall feel greatly
obliged by your reply.
I am, dear Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed) Wm. Mallison.
The Secretary.
The Midland Railway Company replied on the 8th February, 1898, that the
Company does not prohibit milk churns intended for conveyance over their railway
being fastened in such a manner as to prevent anyone except the possessor of a key
from opening them, and forwarded a print of the conditions of carriage of such
traffic on their lines, the following being a copy—
The Midland Railway Company undertake the carriage of milk by Passenger
Train on the following terms :—
Conditions of Carriage.
1.—Every can containing milk must be distinctly addressed, and the address
label must be made of wood or metal.
2. —The lids of the milk cans must be properly fastened to the can.
3.—The cans must be legibly stamped with the name of the station from which
they are sent when full.
4.—Each can (except hereafter provided for) must have the number of imperial
gallons it is capable of containing marked upon it and the inside of each
can must be marked to indicate the space occupied by eight gallons and
by each additional gallon. In the case of " Sealed " cans, instead of the
inside of the can being marked, each can must have its " tare " conspicuously
stamped thereon outside.