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15
I have considered it advisable to begin my food investigations
with the common food of the common people. For this purpose
I examined first of all, milk. In all, 70 samples were submitted to
me by the Inspectors appointed under the Act. I gave certificates in
eleven cases that the milk was adulterated with water. In no case,
except a little salt, did I find any other matter added. These cases
were heard at the Clerkenwell Police Court. In two cases, owing
to some legal difficulty, the magistrate considering that the removal
of the cream was not an adulteration, the parties got off. In one
other, owing to some flaw in the evidence of the Inspector, the case
broke down. In eight cases the offence was proved, and the parties
fined : three £5. and 2s. costs; one 40s. and 2s. costs; and four
(the parties pleading guilty) were fined 10s. and 2s. costs. As a
proof that the prosecutions in these milk cases have been of very
considerable benefit, I may just add that the last twenty samples of
milk I examined proved to be very superior in quality to those
I previously analyzed. I did not consider it necessary in one of
these cases to advise a prosecution. I have also examined twenty
samples of bread, and it is a matter for congratulation that only in
four cases did I find alum. The amount in these even was small,
and therefore no action was taken. I am, however, of opinion that
the Act allows me no alternative if I find any foreign matter or
adulterant whatever, but to certify to that effect, the Inspector
having no alternative on receipt of my certificate but to proceed.
In future, therefore, I shall be compelled to adopt these measures,
leaving it to the magistrate to apportion the fine to the urgency of
the case. I have also examined two samples of tea, both of which
were pure. Only one sample of food (viz.: milk) was submitted to
me by a customer and this I found to be good. A specimen of
Syrup of Senna was brought to the Vestry Hall on another occasion,
but the quantity was not sufficient for analysis and was consequently
returned.
Such has been the working of the Act in your parish. I believe
it has been as complete as possible ; and I am desirous of expressing
my satisfaction in the way in which your Inspectors have performed
their duties, and the assistance they have rendered me in carrying
out the provisions of the Act. I must say one word more as a
protest against irregularities in the working of the Act, which in