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OFFICE (CLERICAL) WORK. 79
British Wines.—The 9 samples taken during the year were all found to contain alcohol.
The amount of proof spirit present varied from 18 to 28½ per cent.
Preservatives in Foods.—Appended is a complete list of the food-stuffs, other than cream
samples, which were found to contain preservatives, with the amount thereof present in each
case.
German Sausage 21 grs. Boric Acid per pound.
„ 20½ „
,, 11 9/10
„ 10½
„ 9¾
7
„
„ 7
„4 9/10
Sausages 7¾
„6 3/10
„3½
Brawn 11 9/10
„5½
No proceedings were instituted, but in all instances cautionary letters were sent to the
vendors of the samples.
Vinegar.—One sample of vinegar was found to be deficient in acetic acid to the extent of
8½ per cent. A letter of caution was sent to the vendor.
Milk and Cream Regulations, 1912.—All the samples of milk were examined with a view
to the detection of preservatives, but no case of the addition of such substance was reported.
Out of 7 samples of "fresh" cream, 1 was found to contain boric acid amounting to 33½ grs.
per lb. The vendor was cautioned. The 6 samples of preserved cream which were taken all
complied with the Regulations as regards the declarations on the labels and the amount of milk
fat they contained.
Rag Flock Act.—Forty-five samples were taken under this Act, 13 being described as
from "re-makes" and 32 from new material. In the latter samples the maximum impurity
found present was equivalent to 31 parts of chlorine per 100,000 parts of rag flock and the
minimum 7½ parts. In the re-makes the maximum impurity was equivalent to 270 parts and
the minimum 12½ parts. As stated in the previous report, the decision given in the case of
Jordan v. Gamble has practically rendered the Act useless as regards re-makes.
OFFICE (CLERICAL) WORK.
The appended summary is given merely as a record of certain items of the work of the
Clerical Staff. Numerical statements cannot be submitted of the multifarious tasks of preparing
reports, posting up indices in various forms, and generally recording the work of the Department
for future reference.
Letters received 5,321 (5,763)
,, despatched 4,981 (4,981)
Entries in Postage Book 14,880 (14,175)
Certificates dealt with relating
to cases of infectious disease
(including consumption) 3,023 (2,818)
Notices sent re above and other
diseases 6,236 (6,494)
Entries in Register of Births 3,084 (3,082)
Complaints received 791 (747)
Plans dealt with 312 (344)
New openings in Journals 472 (576)
Disinfection Orders (duplicate) 2,239 (2,921)
Notices to abate nuisance 1,972 (1,541)
The figures in parentheses are the returns for 1913.