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"25-
Repori of the Medical Officer of Health.
they are farmers selling their own dairy produce. This so-called
butter sold at from is. id. to is. 4d. per lb. proved to be entirely
margarine, probably worth about 4d. or 5d. per lb., and is usually
done up in every way to represent dairy butter, with the impression
of a cow or other object stamped on the top.
These men are usually very difficult to catch, being provided
with a pony and trap, and they move very quickly from district
to district never returning at regular intervals. The Inspector
reports that he has waited whole days in districts where these
men are known to sell their goods, without result.
The Inspector was successful in catching two of these traders
during the year, and in one case the defendant was find £3 4s. od.,
and in the other £5 and £2 3s. 6d. costs. Within two months of
this last mentioned conviction the vendor was seen by the Inspector
trading in an adjoining Borough. Information was at once given
to the Inspector of that Borough with the result that the vendor
was still found to be carrying on his dishonest business. Proceedings
were again taken against him with the result that he was
convicted and fined £14 and £2 17s. 6d. costs.
Much valuable information has been received from the Food
Inspectors of neighbouring Boroughs concerning traders, especially
itinerant milk vendors and butter hawkers, and the Inspector has
likewise given information and assisted by giving evidence at
Police Courts for Inspectors of adjoining Boroughs.
The following Table shows the number of butter samples
taken, the number found adulterated, and the percentage of
adulteration, together with the average adulteration for the years
1901-10, compared with the year under review.