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134
regard to a sample of milk containing 20 per cent. added water.
The case was dismissed by the Police Magistrate because the
milk had been warranted by a large Dairy Company.
The Borough Council are informed that if the case was taken
to Appeal there would be little or no chance of reversing the
Magistrate's decision, and the Council are unable to proceed
against the Warrantor because the warranty is dated September,
1904, or more than six months ago. The result is that milk
is being sold in the Borough containing 20 per cent. of added
water, and it is absolutely impossible to fix the responsibility.
The Borough Council are informed that this is by no means
an isolated experience: thus with regard to proceedings with
respect to adulterated milk samples for the six months ending
30th September, 1905, it appears that of 20 samples in which
police court proceedings have been instituted, six cases have
been dismissed owing to a warranty being proved; that is to
say, in 30 per cent., or nearly a third, of the cases summoned
for milk adulteration, no one is brought to account.
The Borough Council are of opinion that the facts as disclosed
by the above report shew a very unsatisfactory condition of
affairs and one which demands immediate attention.
The Borough Council approached the County Council some
little time ago on the matter, but no action has, up to the
present, been taken by that Body.
I am now instructed to point out the urgent necessity for
each of the Borough Councils to approach the Local Government
Board and the London County Council with a view of