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43
Free Milk Scheme.
Mr. Dyer, Chief Cleric, reported :—
During the 12 months ended 29th December, 1923, 15,537 applications
for free milk were received, of which 14,086 were granted (compared
with 18,082 applications and 16,215 grants for 1922). Orders for 512,610
pints of fresh, and 3,230 lbs. of dried milk were issued, the total commitments
amounting to approximately £6,600.
Personal enquiry was made into 2,974 cases by the Investigation and
Enquiry Officer. In 34 cases it was found that applicants had commenced
work and received an income which rendered them over scale, while
receiving free milk, without notifying the fact. In 12 of these, letters of
caution were sent, and the remaining 22 were instructed to refund the
value of milk supplied to them. Proceedings in the County Court were
taken regarding one case (the instructions for this were given in 1922).
During the year the sum of £29 was repaid on account of milk supplied
on incorrect information, making a total sum of £299 repaid to
29th December, 1923.
By arrangement with the Dairymen's Association since April 1st,
1923, the Council has been paying 4d. per gallon below the ruling retail
price. Previous to this the Association had only been allowing 2d. per
gallon. The price of milk per pint to the Council varied during the year
as follows:—1st January, 3¾d., 1st February, 3½d., 1st April, 2½d., 1st
October, 3d., 2nd December, 3½d.