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150
The profits attaching to the adulteration of articles of food are
so considerable that, despite occasional fines, a considerable margin
of profit is thereby secured to an unscrupulous tradesman; and as
in nearly all instances the warranty defence enables the defendant
to escape justice, it follows that this form of defence is becoming
more and more resorted to. There is no doubt in my mind that
the only remedy for the evil is the abolition of the warranty
defence if the public is to be protected against fraud. The vendor
is the person who should be responsible for what he sells, and
the Local Authority which exists for the protection of the public
should not be required to go beyond him. If wholesale dealers
do not supply the genuine material surely the retail vendor has
his remedy at law, and in a very short time the wholesale dealer
(in the exceptional cases where he is in default) would discover
that " honesty was the best policy."
REPORT OF CHIEF SANITARY INSPECTOR FOR THE
YEAR 1915.
To the Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors of the Metropolitan
Borough of Stoke Newington.
Gentlemen,—
I beg to present my Annual Report for the year ending
December 31, 1915:—
HOUSES AND PREMISES INSPECTED.
By house-to-house inspection 359
Upon complaint, under Sec 107 (3), Public Health (London)
Act, 1891 147
After notification of infectious disease 98
After Notices from builders, under By-law 14 (London
County Council) 05
Stables and mews 408
Slaughter houses 20
Milkshops, dairies, and cowsheds 107
Bakehouses 61
Factories and workshops 1,023
Other premises inspected 1,506
4,334
Re-inspections made to examine and test work, etc 3,747
Total inspections 8,081