View report page

187
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
cases it is only possible to secure the conviction of an offender by
the use of somewhat similar methods as those already described.
On several occasions during the year the Inspector on searching
barrows has discovered small hand cans containing water.
When asked to account for this the invariable reply is that the
water in question is used for washing and cleansing cans.
Instances such as the above point to the fact that considerable
amendment of the existing legislation is needed, giving further
powers to executive officials.
As has been pointed out in a previous Report, it should be
made an offence to carry water on a barrow from which milk is
sold, and again if Separated or Skimmed Milk is sold, then the
receptacle from which it is sold should be painted a distinctive
colour in order that a purchaser may be aware of the nature of
the article.
In one case only during the year was the "warranty" defence
relied upon, with the result that the summons was dismissed.
Although the Borough has been fortunate of late years in this
respect, it cannot be pointed out too frequently that this method
of defence has always to be anticipated, and proved a very serious
obstruction in the effective working of the Acts.
The case in which this "warranty" defence was pleaded was
against a vendor in whose name two previous convictions had
already been registered during the preceding 18 months.
With regard to the giving of a notice in cases of admixture,
it has been observed during the year that such notices, more particularly
in cases of coffee and chicory, and chocolate powder, are
drawn up and printed with a view to protecting the vendor against
a conviction of fraud rather than with the intention of clearly
setting forth to the purchaser the nature of such admixture.