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eliminate all undesirable features. A general summary of the trade will show
that the Argentine shippers have again been very aggressive, both with beef
and mutton, with the effect that Australian products are driven quite into the
background, and the priority of New Zealand in point of quality is seriously
menaced. So far, but little lamb has been sent from Argentina. New
Zealand graziers, on the contrary, have made a special study of it, and have
succeeded in producing an article which meets with the highest approbation
here, though merchants are prone to keep them too long in the refrigerator,
whereby the quality is impaired. Australian lambs have shown a satisfactory
improvement in quality and preparation.
The "abominations " in the shape of boneless beef and other scrap meats
which have been so freely inflicted upon us for the last few years, have been
less in evidence as the year drew towards a close, probably as a result of the
action taken by the Local Government Board. They have never been very
popular amongst Londoners, who evince no partiality for confidence tricks
being played upon them in respect of their food.
Early in the year, one Inspector (W. E. Down), fell ill, and has been
unable to resume his duties* ; this difficulty has been met by the employment
of an Assistant Inspector on one section of the Market, and by the addition of
a youth, who sees to the work of collection and at the same time acquires the
knowledge necessary for responsible work.
The following Naval Officers have received instruction in the examination
of meat, viz. : one Deputy Store Officer, eight Fleet Paymasters, seven Staff
Paymasters, five Paymasters, nine Assistant Paymasters, and one Paymaster
of the Cape Royal Naval Reserve, to all of whom Certificates of competency
have been issued.
Five persons have been summoned for sending diseased meat to the
Central Markets, and convictions obtained in four cases.
REGULATIONS UNDER PUBLIC HEALTH (REGULATIONS
AS TO FOOD) ACT, 1907.
For some years past there has been a growing necessity for arming Port
Sanitary and Local Authorities with increased powers for the prevention of
distribution of imported food of a doubtful character.
The public feeling aroused by the scandals created by the attempted sale of
unwholesome tinned food, which formed part of the Army stores returned to
this country from South Africa, together with the revelations of the manner
in which the trade in meat products was conducted in Chicago, and the
representations upon the subject made to the Local Government Board by the
Corporation and other authorities responsible for the protection of the public
health, resulted in the President of the Local Government Board pledging the
Government to take action for dealing with the evil.
* I regret to say Mr. Down died on 11th February last while this Report was in the Press,