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225
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
14 samples were procured and submitted for analysis, seven
of which were reported as complying with the standard of cleanliness
required, whilst seven samples were reported against as containing
chlorine in excess of the amount permitted.
In five cases where the amount of chlorine found was excessive,
proceedings were taken against the proprietors of the businesses
where the samples were procured with the result that convictions
were obtained in each case.
A resume of the proceedings at the Police Court will 110 doubt
be of interest in showing the value of this Act from a public health
point of view.
Sample 3. This was a sample of black shoddy flock and was
purchased by the Inspector from a shop where bedding was sold.
The vendor, having no loose flock in stock at the time the Inspector
called, and not knowing him, offered to take some from a new
pillow. This offer was accepted and on analysis the flock was found
to contain 340 parts of chlorine per 100,000.
The defendant pleaded that the flock was made prior to the
passing of the Act and that had he sold the pillow intact to the
Inspector, no proceedings could follow inasmuch as the sale would
be of a pillow and not of flock.
The Magistrate contended that the sale was of flock and it
was immaterial whether the flock was in a case or loose, it was none
the less flock, and if it failed to comply with the required standard
the defendant was liable for having it in his possession.
The defendant was fined 10s. and 15s. costs.
Samples 4 and 5. These samples were procured from a workshop.
At the time of the Inspector's visit he found a workman
re-making an old bed, the tick or covering of which was much stained
and generally dirty. A sample of the flock was taken and analysed
and found to contain 288 parts of chlorine per 100,000.
p