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121
The suggestion referred to was that the time appeared opportune for the
Corporation to offer facilities for marking meat that could be brought to a
depot established for that purpose in the Central Market.
The system would of course be a voluntary one, and a nominal charge made
for inspection and marking which might cover the expenses incurred.
The Depôt would be placed in charge of an experienced officer, and a record
kept of all meat examined. This should specially appeal to the trade, as it
would offer protection against any charge of unsoundness that might be
brought against the salesman by other authorities, while at the same time it
would protect the salesmen against unjust claims for return of money on the
ground that articles purchased were unfit for food at the time of sale.
It is not unlikely that sooner or later the Corporation will be placed under
some official obligation with regard to marking of meat passing through
markets under their control, and it seems advisable, therefore, to attempt some
experiments in the direction indicated, to demonstrate the extent to which the
marking of meat would be received both by the trade and by the public.
UNSOUND POULTRY.
Attention was given last Autumn to the best means of reducing the amount
of game and poultry condemned in the City Markets.
In the Annual Reports a table is given classifying the meat seizures during
the year, and under the heading "Poultry" is included also game and
rabbits.
This class of food is particularly liable to undergo decomposition in warm
weather, especially when improperly packed or stored, and in the case of
poultry to wrong treatment before killing.
This loss being mainly preventable, and due in a great measure to lack of
method and ignorance, it was suggested that it would serve a useful purpose,,
and check to some extent the destruction of much valuable food, if salesmen
in the City Markets were supplied with circulars to send to their country
customers, containing information as to the best methods of preparing, sorting
and packing such goods for market. The Sanitary Committee having
concurred in this proposal, notices containing concise directions for these
purposes were furnished to all game dealers in the City.
A copy of the notice is appended.