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60
The articles dealt with in this way included:—
450 lbs. of tomatoes.
2 baskets of cherries.
2 „ pears.
1 „ peaches.
1 „ strawberries.
1 „ oranges.
1 „ apples.
Sack of peas.
Bag of broad beans.
Trunk of cod.
Barrel of conger eels.
Trunk of hake.
Quantity of oysters.
30 lbs of whiting.
3 trunks of roe.
1 cwt. of beef.
1 „ mutton.
28 lbs. of pork.
3 geese.
2 turkeys.
3 pigs heads (tuberculosis).
1 ox liver (fatty degeneration).
1 ox liver (flukes).
Bunch bullock's lights (echinococci).
2 sheep's livers (echinococci).
1 sheep's liver (flukes).
With the object of preventing the distribution of unsound food amongst the
members of Christmas Clubs, a number of visits were paid to such places just
before Christmas, and all joints and poultry examined. The actual number of
premises visited was 9, and the number of birds and joints examined 3,000. All
were found to be sound.
For the first time tor a number of years no seizures were made under Section 47
of the Act of 1891 of articles unfit for human consumption, and no proceedings were
instituted against any vendor under its provisions.
It was in 1908 that the Council determined to take active measures to protect
the food supply of the ratepayers, and at the end of that year appointed a special
officer to act as inspector of meat and foods.
Arrangements were made for the carrying out of a systematic inspection of
premises and examination of food, and it was made perfectly clear to all vendors
within the Borough that while every assistance would be given to them to carry out
an intention of purveying only articles that were sound and wholesome, there would
be no hesitation in taking action in any case in which there appeared to have been a
neglect of proper precaution.
In 1909 and ever since, this work has been carried on most actively. That the
vendors have shown a desire to accept the assistance offered and to co-operate with the
department, is indicated by the increasing frequency with which the inspector iscalled
in to give an opinion with regard to foods, and to accept surrender of such as
are stated by him to be unfit for consumption.
The fact, that in 1909 there were no fewer than 11 prosecutions after seizure of
articles of food, clearly shows that there was at that time a distinct necessity for the
taking of active measures, and indicates that it was quite time that the Council
should put forth a special effort.