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40
The cost of producing "Certified" milk is high, and
unless a real demand for it exists it is only to be expected
that producers will cease to take out licences for it. In
Kingston, however, " Certified " milk can be obtained
at twopence a quart more than ordinary milk. This
appears to be very reasonable, especially when one recalls
that at first the price was usually twice that of ungraded
milk.
The use of glass bottles, in the absence of anything
more suitable for delivery of milk, continues. It seems
almost impossible to educate the public against placing
empty milk bottles on the footpaths where they can be so
easily fouled, and where they appear to form an almost
irresistible attraction to a certain class of youth who
delight in smashing the bottles. The improper disposition
of milk bottles should be prohibited.
During the past year 7 samples of ordinary milk were
taken for bacteriological examination. In two instances
the counts were not satisfactory compared with the usual
standard of milk sold in the Borough. The two retailers
were interviewed and considerable improvement effected.
Tubercle bacilli were not found in any of the samples.
The retailing of milk from churns and hand cans is
discouraged in the district, and only a very small percentage
of the total milk is sold under these conditions.
(b) Meat and Other Foods.
The number of animals slaughtered in the Borough
during 1931 was 9,629, compared with 11,821 during the
previous year. This reduction was not unexpected, for in
the 1929 report the opinion was expressed that the peak
had then been reached. The reduction affected one
slaughterhouse principally. The late occupier of these
premises (a dealer) died during the year and his successor
used the slaughterhouse much less.
The following figures show the total number of animals
killed in the private slaughterhouses during each of the
past five years:—
1927 8,350
1928 11,093
1929 11,704
1930 11,821
1931 9,629