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33
Five of those 6 wore found to have come from
one wholesaler whose premises were not situate in
Kingston. There was no reason to attribute the unsatisfactory
condition to any act or default on the part
of the local retailers.
Biological Tests.
Two check samples of mixed milk were taken from
the local herd and submitted for biological test for the
presence of T.B. The results showed absence of T«B. in
both samples.
Pasteurisation.
In order to ascorurin whether milk has been
properly pasteurised it is sdujocted to the Phosphatase
test. Duing 1944, 3 samples wore tested and all proved
satisfactory.
(b) Meat and other Foods.
(i ) Slaughterhouses.
There arc now no licensed private slaughterhouses
in the Borough. A few of the buildings which were
used for the purpose prior to the war remain in existence,
and small pig-keepers have used the premises for the slaught
of an occasional pig under Ministry of Food licence. It
was considered that this arrangement had much to commend
it, as it ensured the humane slaughter of the animals,under
better sanitary conditions than would obtain on the owner's
own premises, whore there would bo little, or no opportunity
for supervision.
(ii) Moat Depot and Emergency Foods.
Although no animals were slaughtered in the
Borough for sale, it may now be stated that a Ministry of
Food Meat Distribution depot is situate in Kingston,through
which passes all meat intended for the Boroughs of Barnes,
Esher, Maiden, Surbiton, Richmond and Wimbledon, as well,
of course, as Kingston. No less than 213 visits were paid
to this meat depot. It is pleasing to be able to record
that the manager of the depot has at all times co-operated
with the Corporation most helpfully and there exists a feeling
of mutual trust and confidence without which your Officers
could not have carried out their task. It was only on
infrequent occasions that any part of a consignment was returned
to the depot because of alleged unfit condition of
the meat, and this despite the fact that approximately 200
tons of meat pass through the depot weekly. As might be
expected, there were times when a consignment had suffered
rather badly as the result of defective refrigeration or
storage, giving rise to white spot or black spot mould.
Such instances required constant attendance whilst the meat
was examined and trimmed as necessary. Canned meats also
were handled at the depot.