View report page

128
these proved to be margarine. Subsequently official samples
were procured, numbered 502 to 506 (inclusive), the analysis of
which showed that margarine had been supplied. The
consignor was an itinerant vendor residing at Kennington. No
time was lost in applying for summonses, but unfortunately we
received information from the Court that the service was
ineffectual, the consignor having absconded.
Samples Nos. 62 and 4.22 (Table I.) were obtained at
shops in which we had reason to believe margarine was being
sold to persons known as regular customers. The Inspector's
agent purchased several test samples and was at first supplied
with butter, but ultimately with margarine.
PURCHASE OF SAMPLES BY DEPUTY.—This practice
was adopted in 232 purchases, and resulted in the detection
of sophistication in 29 cases, or 12.5 per cent.
MILK.—Of the 288 samples submitted, 19, or 6.60 per
cent., were adulterated or below the standard fixed by the
Board of Agriculture, compared with 1906, when the
adulterated samples equalled 10.19 per cent.; this is a marked
improvement.
We have in the Borough several well-known and reliable
firms who are themselves constantly taking samples from their
employees in order to prevent fraud and to maintain the standard
of quality. These firms are gradually absorbing the smaller
vendors, and to some extent this fact is responsible for the
improvement found.
Preservatives in Milk.—In 1906 a circular letter was
issued to all milk vendors in the Borough drawing attention to
the fact that the addition of preservatives to milk was unnecessary
and harmful, and stating the determination of the