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84. The Health Committee made an enquiry into the
methods of the various London Sanitary Authorities with
respect to milk analysis. This enquiry had the interesting
and useful result of showing that there has been great discrepancy
in the standard of pure milk adopted by different
analysts. It appeared from the statements of the analysts of
several local authorities, that the Somerset House Analysts
were credited with adopting a standard of 2.75 per cent. fat
and that to avoid any conflict with Somerset House, these
analysts adopted the same low standard. But in a letter from
Somerset House, it was stated that the standard adopted in
the Government Laboratory was 3.0 per cent. fat, and that
all analysts used the same standard. The Government Analyst
was informed of the result of the enquiry, and it is to be hoped
that means have been taken to correct the misapprehension
which existed as to the Somerset House standard.
85. I believe a Committee of the Agricultural Board is now
sitting to settle the Standards to be used under the Food and
Drugs Act of 1899.
86. Dust Shoots.—The house refuse has continued to be
deposited on the levels, at a distance of about 200 yards from
the Railway, and over 300 yards from houses. I did not hear
of any complaints of nuisance arising from it. It cannot,
however, be considered satisfactory to have a large accumulation
of air polluting material in a neighbourhood which is
used for public recreation (as football, cricket, gardening,
walking, &c.) to a considerable extent, and might, with advantage,
be so used much more largely. Houses too are gradually
approaching the site, and, in a year or two, the dust will have
to be taken farther afield to be outside the bye-law limit. The