View report page

34
Fifty-three samples of butter were taken, and all were returned as genuine, 34
of the samples taken contained a small amount of boric acid, not exceeding 0.5 per
cent. in each.
Thirty-nine samples of margarine were taken. In four instances proceedings
were instituted for excessive water. In two of these the defendants were fined £2
and 10s. respectively, in the third £1 1s. as costs were allowed the Council. In the
fourth case the defendant successfully pleaded a warranty, and the case was dismissed.
The wholesalers were then proceeded against for giving a false warranty,
but this case also was dismissed as the defendants were able to convince the magistrate
that they had sold the margarine as they had received it from abroad. Four samples
of margarine were taken, which were served in wrappers not bearing the word
"Margarine" legibly stamped thereon as required by the Margarine Act. In two
instances proceedings were taken, in one of which the offender was convicted and
fined 10s., and in the other 2s. as costs were allowed the Council. Warning letters
were sent to the other two. Thirty-two of the samples of margarine contained small
amounts of boric acid not exceeding in any instance 0'5 per cent.
Of the 94 samples of vinegar taken, 6 contained excessive water. Proceedings
were taken in two instances. In one case, where the excess was 35 per cent., the
defendant was fined £5, and the other case, where the excess of water was 14 per cent.,
23s. as costs were allowed the Council.
One sample purchased as bread and butter was found, on analysis, to be bread
and margarine. No action was taken as a notice was exhibited in the place where
the purchase was made to the effect that only margarine was used at the establishment.
One sample of boric acid ointment was found to be deficient in boric acid to the
extent of 15 6 per cent. compared with the B.P. standard. The defendant was fined
20s., including costs.
One sample of sweet spirits of nitre was found to be deficient in ethyl nitrite to
the extent of 42 per cent. No action was taken owing to the fact that the bottles
used in the sampling were so large that they may have permitted some of the ethyl
nitrite to have been lost by evaporation.
It may be noted that all the eight samples of medicine taken were returned as
being in accordance with the prescriptions.
Three samples of non-alcoholic ginger wine contained salicylic acid 31, 2 2 and
2.2 respectively. No action was taken.
One sample of sago was found to contain 0.4 per cent. split lentils. No action
was taken.
Of the samples of mustard one was found to contain starchy farina 12 per cent.
with traces of turmeric, and another 10 per cent. starchy farina with traces of turmeric.
No action was taken.
One of the samples of coffee contained 45 per cent. chicory. A warning letter
was sent to the vendor.