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54
The penalties inflicted amounted to £12, or approximately 8.5 per cent. of the
inaximum penalties to which the defendants were liable, as compared with 8.5 in
1912, 23 in 1911, 7.9 in 1910, 9.4 in 1909, 16.3 in 1908, 15.6 in 1907, 12 in 1906,
17 in 1905, 10 in 1904, 18 in 1903, and 17 in 1902. Including the costs, which
amounted to £3 5s. 0d., the amounts defendants were ordered to pay averaged
£5 1s. 8d., as compared with £4 18s. 1d. in 1912, £8 1s. 10d. in 1911, £4 18s. in
1910, £4 0s. 9d. in 1909, £4 6s. in 1908, £4 6s. 7d. in 1907, £5 3s. in 1906,
£7 1s. in 1905, £3 1s. in 1904, £4 10s. in 1903 and £4 10s. in 1902.
Twelve samples of margarine were taken, the samples being sold in wrappers
not bearing the word "Margarine" legibly stamped thereon as required by the
Margarine Act. Proceedings were taken and convictions obtained in 9 of the
cases. In 2 proceedings were not advised. One case was dealt with under
the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, and no fine was inflicted.
The fines amounted to £7 10s. and £4 12s. costs were allowed the Council.
The fines under the Margarine Act amounted to a little over 1.5 per cent. of the
maximum penalties to which the defendants were liable. Including costs,
the amounts paid by defendants averaged £1 6s. 10d. as compared with £1 13s. 5d.
for 1912, £1 16s. 1d. in 1911, 15s. in 1910, £1 12s. 6d. in 1909 and £1 4s. 6d. in
1908.
Of 13 samples purchased as coffee, 5 were found to be mixtures of coffee and
chicory. Proceedings were taken in all cases, and in 4 convictions were obtained.
In the fifth costs were allowed the Borough Council. The fines came to £6 and
£4 3s. 6d. costs were allowed. The fines amounted to 6 per cent. of the maximum
penalties to which the defendants were liable.
Of 5 samples of citric acid 2 were not genuine. One contained 15.47 per cent.
of boric acid, and the other was not citric but tartaric acid. In the former case
the defendant was fined £1, with 23s. costs, and in the latter 23s. costs were
allowed the Council. Of 3 samples of Gregory's powder 2 were genuine; the
other contained 31.8 per cent. of rhubarb and 68.2 per cent. of carbonate of magnesia.
Proceedings were taken, the defendant escaping a fine, but being ordered
to pay 23s. costs.
One sample of tincture of perchloride of iron was 18 per cent. deficient in
iron; the sample of German sausage contained boric acid equivalent to 17.0
grains per lb; 2 samples of linseed meal were slightly adulterated, and 1 sample
of peas (bottled) contained 0'37 grains of copper per lb. It was not deemed
advisable to take proceedings in these cases.
The samples of lard, pepper, separated milk, cocoa, jam, honey, flour, tapioca,
mustard, sago, bread, cheese, preserved cream, camphorated oil, cream, cod liver
oil, ground rice, mustard pickles, tincture of rhubarb, beef extract, brawn, glycerine,
glycerine of borax, castor oil, custard powder, Demerara sugar, linseed meal,