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Milkshops.—At the end of 1912, 399 names of persons selling milk
were upon the register. In 1913, one name was removed and 58
added, leaving 456 on the register at the end of the year; 41 of these
were registered in respect of new premises; 1 is a street vendor having
no address in the City. Eighty persons selling milk were given notice
to register, 59 complied and one was refused registration, the premises
being unsatisfactory. One registered vendor of milk gava up selling it.
Twelve hundred and thirty-five visits were paid during the year,
besides those by the two Inspectors taking samples under the Food and
Drugs Acts, to premises in which milk is sold. Notices requiring improvement
of existing conditions were served in a number of instances; in 1
the food was stored in an unsuitable place; 1 room where the cans were
washed had a boarded floor; and the discontinuance was obtained of
the use of a shed as a stable in the yard of a dairy. Objection was
taken to the sale of paraffin in 2 milkshops, and to milkpans not being
covered in 4 instances.
No cases of infectious disease occurred on premises in which milkshops
were situated, but 2 persons from infected houses were employed
elsewhere in the milk trade. Satisfactory arrangements were made
in each instance and no infection of the milk resulted.
Cowshed. — There is now only one cow-keeper, namely, at
13, Marsham Street (licensed for 19 cows). These premises were visited
26 times during the year.
Contamination of Food—Proposed Legislation for Prevention.
—The Public Health Committee had before them the question of the
desirability of legislation being introduced for the better protection of
food from dust, &c.
A Code of Eegulations is in operation in New York dealing with
the matter. One of the regulations provides that "No food, except
fruits and vegetables that are peeled, pared or cooked before consumption,
shall be kept, sold, or offered for sale, or be displayed
or transported unless protected from dust, dirt, flies, or other contamination.
The term ' food' as herein used shall include every article of
food and every beverage used by man, and all confectionery."