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Also 4 samples of "cocoa,"which were found to be
mixtures of cocoa, sugar, and arrowroot; 2 of "magnesia,"
which contained some carbonate of magnesia; and 2 of
"citrate of magnesia,"which were mixtures of citrate and
tartrate of soda, and contained only traces of magnesia.
Of these 112 samples, only 5 were brought by private
purchasers; of these, one of butter was found to be largely
adulterated with foreign fats, and I gave a certificate to
that effect; while the other four, one of butter and three
of milk, were all genuine.
One of the two samples of adulterated tea merely contained
a small quantity of "lie" tea, and the other a few
"sloe" leaves.
The sample of adulterated coffee contained chicory, and
was labelled to that effect.
The adulterated oatmeal only contained a small quantity
of barley meal.
The two samples of adulterated vinegar both contained
a notable quantity of free sulphuric acid.
Three vendors were prosecuted for selling watered milk.
In one instance the Magistrate dismissed the case on
account of a technical informality in the certificate, although
it was worded in exactly the same way as a certificate on
which he had previously granted us a conviction, as your
Solicitor pointed out.
In the other two instances convictions were obtained
and the following fines imposed: 10s. fine with 12s. 6c?.
costs in one case, and 15s. fine with 2s. costs in the
other.
I submit that these fines are ridiculously inadequate to
the offence, and a report of mine pointing this out was
forwarded by your Vestry Clerk to the Home Secretary,
who drew the Magistrate's attention to the matter.
If the good which has undoubtedly been done by the