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105
Coffee.—A test sample of coffee, No. 52, contained 40 per
cent. of chicory, but official samples subsequently purchased
proved to be genuine.
The remainder of the test samples were found on analysis
to be genuine.
PURCHASE OF SAMPLES BY DEPUTY.—The system
of purchasing by deputy has been continued, and of the total
524 samples, 269 or 51.34 per cent., were so purchased.
MILK.—Of the 265 samples submitted, 27, or 10.19 per
cent., were adulterated or below the standard fixed by the Board
of Agriculture. This shows an increased percentage of adulteration
compared with 7.19 in the previous year.
The milk supply of the district is every year becoming
controlled to a greater extent by well-known large milk dealers,
who themselves adopt measures to prevent adulteration by their
servants, and refrain from adding preservatives. The bulk of
the adulterations found occurred in smaller milk shops of the
poorer districts. Many of these small vendors are unprotected
by warranty, and in several cases warranty is refused them.
Preservatives in Milk.—In nine of the milks preservatives
were discovered, formalin being used in one, and
boracic acid in eight cases. Also three of the skimmed milks
contained boracic acid. The amounts were exceedingly small
and your Committee decided not to prosecute.
A circular letter from the Local Government Board dated
11th July, relating to preservatives in milk was considered by
your Committee, and acting upon the advice contained therein,
your Council notified all milk traders by circular to the effect