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IX.—FOOD CONTROL.
The information contained in this section of the Report is
concerned mainly with the work done by the Wharves Inspectors
and the Food and Drugs Inspector. One of the Wharves In-spectors
is always present when a ship or barge is unloading a
cargo of food. This often entails their presence on the wharves
early in the morning or late at night, since the time of berthing
varies with the tide. At one wharf bi-weekly boats regularly
discharge cargo, generally at midnight, one of the Inspectors
always being present. I pointed out in my last report that
there seemed to have been a considerable increase in the amount
of food coming into the Wharves in this borough and that this
increase had been particularly noted with regard to bacon.
I have no means of ascertaining even approximately the total
amount of food which comes into the borough by water, but
the general impression amongst the Inspectors engaged in the
work is that the total volume of imported food is increasing
year by year. On a number of occasions during the year as many
as 14,000 to 16,000 bales of uncertified bacon (4 sides in a
bale) have been delivered to the Wharves in a single day. On
such occasions I have arranged for one of the district Inspectors
to help in the work of inspection.
On March 7th there was a serious fire at Butler's Wharf and
much damage was done. As a large amount of food was stored
at this Wharf a general " Stop " Notice was immediately placed
on all wet and damaged foodstuffs. The damaged foodstuffs
were disposed of in the following manner : —
tons.
cwts.
qrs.
Ibs.
Disposed of for purposes other than
human food
3
10
0
0
Destroyed
88
17
3
6
Removed for sorting under Supervision
of Sanitary Authority
379
7
1
16
-
1
0
17
Exported
1
22
472
12