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1914]
256
A cursory examination of the results obtained during the past few years
by the informal testing work discloses the excellent weapon it has proved
against that class of vendor who habitually engages in fraudulent practices,
and who, but for this means of detection, would be reaping a rich harvest, as
he undoubtedly has done in the past. What he himself thinks of the method
may perhaps be gathered from the fact that during the past year six vendors,
having a total of 27 convictions against them, have thought it desirable to
dispose of their several businesses and transfer their operations to new spheres
of labour outside the borough.
It has been said that the informal sampling of milk is of very little value
as a means of securing a conviction in the case of adulteration. To arrive at
such a conclusion seems to me a clear indication of faulty methods, as an
analysis of the milk prosecutions for Islington during the past year alone
reveals that 41 9 per cent. were due to the informal test sampling; the fines
and costs awarded to the Council being ,£51 5s. In the defence of warranty
the work has often been instrumental in breaking down the defence.
A successful defence of warranty took place during the early part of the
year, although analysis of the milk consigned by the farmer mentioned in the
contract showed 4 per cent. of fat and 91 non-fatty solids. As the defendant
had on several occasions pleaded the warranty defence successfully, arrangements
were made for the daily testing of samples procured through the medium
of one of his private customers. The tests were carried out from April 29th
to June 5th, during which time 29 samples were examined, of which 20, or 68.9
per cent., were found to contain varying amounts of added water up to 30
per cent
The particulars relating to the successful prosecution of this defendant
were the subject of a report by you to the Health Committee.
A similar course of testing provided information which also led to the
breaking down of a warranty and the conviction of a defendant during the
fourth quarter.
During the year I tested and exammed 685 samples, of which 556 were
found to be genuine; 34 were sold either with a declaration given verbally or
imprinted upon the wrapper; while 95, or 13.8 per cent. were adulterated; the
latter including samples purchased at the same premises over varying periods
and samples purchased by child agents. In 41 instances the informal sampling
was concluded with the purchase of an official sample, the latter being submitted
to the Public Analyst in the usual manner, who reported against 38 for
prosecution, and one milk, one coffee, and one sample of butter as genuine.