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1934]
76
Under the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1932, Part 2,
Section 5, a Register of Premises used for the Manufacture or Preparation of
Preserved Food is kept. This register practically takes in all butchers with few
exceptions, as in the summer months a limited quantity of preservative in the form
of Sulphur is allowed in sausages. For this purpose and for the boiling and smoking
of hams, the premises come under the Act referred to. Although the main business
in the register is that of butcher, others preparing or making articles of preserved
food have also to register, thus grocers, provision and other shops are registered
as well. (See Preserved Food and Ice Cream, p. 78.).
During the year 105 warning letters were sent to various shopkeepers and stallholders
who omitted to mark certain commodities with the country of origin. Warnings
were also issued in respect of non-compliance with the Meat Regulations.
Three fruit hawkers were prosecuted for selling foreign tomatoes without labels
indicating the country of origin (these were actually being sold as "English")'
one of these being summoned three times in respect of offences committed on different
days, and penalties were imposed in each case.
The habit of giving a false address is very prevalent amongst street traders in
the Borough; on one occasion three costermongers, who were selling imported tomatoes
as "English," all gave false addresses in the presence of a police constable. One,
however, was recognised at a later date, and thus action could be taken against him.
He was summoned and fined.
A stall holder was proceeded against for offering for sale a number of fowls in an
unsound condition. They were being offered at Is. each, which would have been
an attractive price had not their green hue been prominent. The defendant stated
in Court that this colour was due to their being " Irish " birds.
Offensive Trades include 2 tripe dressers, 5 gut scrapers, 4 fur skin dressers,
and Knacker's Yard, which received a total of 142 visits. There was no cause
for complaint in the conduct of these businesses.
PROSECUTIONS FOR EXPOSING FOR SALE UNSOUND FOOD.
In addition to the prosecution for unsound fowls referred to in Mr. Haydock's
report, in which the vendor was fined £2 2s. Od. and £2 2s. Od. costs for each
offence, a prosecution was taken in respect of unsound chocolates where a fine of
40s. Od. and £2 2s. Od. costs were imposed. In a further case taken in respect of
unsound tinned fruit the summons was dismissed, the magistrate not being satisfied
that the unsound fruit was deposited on the premises for the purposes of sale.
SLAUGHTER OF ANIMALS ACT, 1933.
This Act became operative on the 1st January, 1934, and under it it is possible
by resolution of the Local Authority to exempt sheep from stunning. The matter was
still under consideration of the Borough Council during the year. Under this
Act also the Local Authority grant the licences to slaughtermen; 45 applications
for licences were received, and after investigation all of these were granted.
DISEASES OF ANIMALS ACT. ORDERS OF THE MINISTRY OF
AGRICULTURE.
No special Order came under purview during the year. A case of Anthrax,
found outside the Borough, was dealt with under suitable precautions at our local
knackery under supervision.