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75
Compared with last year, there has been a considerable fall in the number
of prosecutions instituted. The average penalty for adulteration of Foods and
Drugs shows a large increase. On numerous occasions, the magistrates have
said that they regard adulteration as a serious matter, and the heavy penalties
which have been inflicted in several instances should have a salutary effect.
Nothing will prevent adulteration so surely as the knowledge that it does
not pay.
Of the summonses taken out under the Food and Drugs Acts in
connection with Milk, 18 led to penalties. The average penalty (fines and
costs together) in these 18 cases was £10 17s. 7d. The corresponding figure
for 1921 was £6 '2s. 10d. (exclusive of summonses for failing to inscribe
name and address on vehicle or receptacle for which offence the maximum
penalty is £2).
Milk.
838 samples of milk were analysed, of which 26, or 3T per cent., were
adulterated.

These figures appear to me very satisfactory. The gradual improvement
in the quality of the milk sold in the Borough since the war, on which I
commented in my last report, has been very well maintained.
The average composition of all the samples of milk analysed, for each month
of the year, is shown in table H.