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154
in fact, from all concerned in the food supplies of the people. It is full time for
a further inquiry into the use of preservatives and colouring matter in food,
and that this question, together with the present unsatisfactory warranty section
of the Food and Drugs Acts, should receive a more sympathetic consideration
by the Government of the day than has hitherto obtained of the many
representations on these subjects made to them by those responsible for the
working of the Acts.
MILK.
Milk, which so readily lends itself to sophistication, has as heretofore
received the special attention of your sampling officers, and comprised no
less than 39 per cent. of the articles examined during the year.

A decrease in milk adulteration in eight years from 21.2 to 6.2 per cent.
shows that an energetic and systematic administration of the Acts is greatly
in the interests of the citizens, the costs of administration being more than
met by the enhanced value of the food commodities sold to them.
Of the 29 samples of milk reported against by the Public Analyst, the
vendors of 18 were proceeded against, and in six of these, or 33⅓ per cent.,
the cases were dismissed upon proof of warranty. The offence in 8 cases
consisted in adding water, in 9 of the removal of cream, and one sample was
both skimmed and watered.
The following Table shows the relation between place of purchase and
adulteration :—