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In three instances the cases were dismissed. In these proceedings were taken unde
Section 4 of the Milk and Dairies Amendment Act 1922 for selling milk containing
added colouring matter. In two the actual amounts of colouring matter were not
stated on the analyst's certificates, and in the other the magistrate was not satisfied
that colouring matter had been added.
No legal proceedings were considered advisable as regards the remainder of the
samples of milk below standard. The percentage of the adulterated samples of milk
in which it was not thought advisable to institute legal proceedings was 23-5 which is
markedly below the average.
In the four cases in which convictions were obtained the aggregate of fines and
costs amounted to £44 2s. and the average amount paid by the defendants was
£11 0s. 6d. The fines amounted to 15 per cent. of the maximum which might have
been inflicted.
Ninety-four samples of butter were taken, 93 of which were returned as genuine,
62 were reported as containing boric acid not exceeding 0.5 per cent. in each. In
one instance water was present in excess of the amount allowed by law, and a warning
letter was sent to the vendor.
Fifty-six samples of margarine were taken, all of which were returned as genuine.
Fifty-three contained boric acid but not exceeding0-5 percent. in a.ny case. In two
instances legal proceedings were instituted for selling margarine in unstamped
wrappers. Convictions were obtained in both, one penalty being £1 and the
other 10s.
- Of the 100 samples of vinegar taken six contained excessive water, ranging from
1 to 8 per cent. No proceedings were taken.
Three samples of mustard contained wheat flour 15 per cent. and turmeric
traces in each. One vendor was summoned, the Council being allowed 10s. 6d.
costs.
Three samples of shredded suet were each found to contain moisture. In one
wheat and rice flour and in the other two rice flour was also present. No proceedings
were instituted owing to the fact that each sample had a label attached disclosing
the presence of the foreign ingredients.
Three samples of non-alcoholic wine contained salicylic acid, ranging from 0.2
to 1.1 grains per pint.
One sample of borax contained arsenic 75 parts per million in excess of the B.P.
limit for purified borax. No action was taken.
One sample of sago was, on analysis, found to be tapioca. No action was
taken.