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97
It will be noted that the improvement in the quality of the milk
supplied in the City which has been taking place during the past fifteen
years is well maintained. Slightly more than half of the total samples
were well above the legal standard and were ranked as of good quality.
Only 10.1 per cent. were as low as the legal standard or slightly above
it in fat content, and the proportion of adulterated samples was only
1.5 per cent. of the total. This represents a smaller proportion of
adulteration than has yet been recorded, and is significant of the progress
in the methods of production and distribution of milk which has been
made in recent years.
Legal Proceedings for Adulteration.—Six prosecutions were undertaken
against vendors for the following offences:—10, 9, 5 and 3 per cent.
of fat abstraction, and 6 and 5 per cent. of added water. A warranty
was successfully proved in one instance; this was before September 1,
when the Milk Act (1915) came into force. The fines and costs imposed
as a result of proceedings were as follows:—
Milk— Fine. Costs.
10 per cent. fat abstraction Warranty proved, summons dismissed.
9 per cent. fat abstraction — £3 3s.
5 per cent. fat abstraction £1 —
3 per cent. fat abstraction — £2 2s.
6 per cent. added water £1 10s. —
5 per cent. added water £3 —
Separated Milk.—In this instance the sample was sold as separated
milk. It contained 18 per cent. of added water. The vendor was fined
5s. with £2 costs.
Of the total of 970 samples of milk taken during the year, 100 were
obtained on Sundays. One of the latter showed 10 per cent. of fat
abstracted. This was the case where a warranty was proved, the
summons being dismissed.
Samples taken in course of Delivery.—Four samples were taken as the
milk was being delivered by consignors to retail purveyors at shops.
Three of the samples were of good quality, the remaining one being
" poor " but not adulterated.