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59
(1926

PUBLIC HEALTH (MEAT) REGULATIONS, 1924.
As there was very considerable laxity on the part of some traders in regard
to these Regulations, action had to be taken for their enforcement. These
prosecutions were taken not in any harsh spirit, but owing to complaints
received, some tradesmen complaining that while they were strict in carrying
out the regulations, their neighbours acted unfairly in exposing meat and bringing
their wares into perhaps closer view of the public.
One wet and slushy afternoon, a visit was paid to a busy street to see if
precautions were being taken by the tradesmen. Stopping at a shop which had
meat exposed beyond the shop front, it was found that the gutter had been swept.
There were two large heaps of mud fairly high at each side. The fast traffic
passing through this mud splashed it right across the pavement so that the mud
was deposited on the meat exposed. To the enquiry of the Medical Officer of
Health as to what the trader was doing with regard to the regulations to protect
his meat, the shop assistant replied, " Oh, I am sweeping away the mud in front
of the shop." Passing on to another shop, a similar question was asked as to
what precautions were being taken. The reply was—" I am most careful in
wiping the meat when it gets splashed'." This reply was all oblivious of the
fact that it is impossible to really wipe a piece of meat clean in this manner.
The regulations are to prevent contamination.
While this was the attitude of some tradesmen, there were marked contrasts.
There was no lack of wishing to discuss the matter with the department, and I
am glad to say that some really caught the spirit of the regulations. It is an
expensive matter putting in a glass front, but in a case where this was done,
enquiry of one of the assistants as to whether the business had been damaged
by having to take the exposed meat indoors elicited the reply, " On the contrary,
our business has doubled."
It was the peculiar and almost defiant attitude of the first category mentioned
that made it necessary to take cases to Court. As the regulations were
comparatively new, and these were the first legal actions, large penalties were
not expected. Fifteen prosecutions were taken; in one a penalty of £2 2s. Od.
was obtained with two guineas costs; four cases were withdrawn on payment of
costs, and 7 others were withdrawn, four of these last being alterative summonses.
Three cases were dismissed.