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96
Free Milk Scheme.
Mr. Dyer, Chief Clerk, reported : During the 12 months ended
30th December, 1922, 18,082 applications for free milk were received, of
which 16,215 were granted. (Compared with 23,799 applications and
18,270 granted for 1921.) It must, however, be remembered that
the year 1921 the age limit was reduced from 5 years to 3 years except
in special cases. Orders for 621,796 pints of fresh and 1,664 lbs. of
dried milk were issued, the total commitments amounting to approximately
£8,500.
Personal enquiry was made into 2,969 cases by the Investigation
and Enquiry Officer, In 15 cases it was found that applicants had
commenced work and received an income which rendered them overscale
while receiving free milk without notifying the fact. In 5-of these,
letters of caution were sent and the remaining 10 were instructed to
refund the value of milk supplied to them.
Proceedings were taken in the County Court against 4 debtors
and Orders made. In one case a Judgment Summons was issued for
non-compliance with the Order and later the man was committed to
prison for 10 days—but even now nothing has been paid towards his
debt.
During the year the sum of £94 was repaid on account of milk
supplied on incorrect information, making a total sum to date of £270.
By arrangement "with the Dairymen's Association, the Council
pays 2d. per gallon below the ruling retail price. The price per pint
(to the Council) varied during the year as follows: 1st January, 4¼d.;
2nd April, 2¼d.; 2nd July, 2¾d.; and 1st October, 3¾d.