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Humane slaughtering has been compulsory under the Bye-laws
in the Borough for a number of years.
Slaughter Houses.—There was one slaughter-house on the
register at the end of the year. Very few animals are killed
here. The requisite notices are received prior to slaughtering,
thus making it possible for complete examination of the
carcases to be carried out.
Continued attention is being devoted to the Public
Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924.
One hundred and thirty visits were made to the shops
of butchers, fishmongers, fruiterers and other premises where
food is stored, prepared, or exposed for sale.
Unsound Food.—A loaf of bread, sold by a local shopkeeper
was found, on being cut, to contain foreign matter. An examination
of the bakehouse and utensils was carried out, and the
baker was questioned. It was ascertained that a cat was usually
kept in the bakehouse and was probably the source of the
trouble. The baker was warned that animals must not be allowed
in the bakehouse in the future. Apart from this the bakery and
shop were in a satisfactory condition.
A written warning was afterwards sent by the local
Authority but no legal proceedings were instituted.
One complaint was received alleging that sour milk had
been supplied by a local firm of Dairymen. After exhaustive
enquiries it was decided that the case was one which did not
warrant the taking of legal action. The Dairymen agreed to
pay particular attention to their method of distribution and to
take all possible precautions to prevent any further cause for
complaint.
Another complaint referred to sausages purchased from
a local shopkeeper. Subsequent examination shewed that the
sausages were quite good and could not have been the cause of
sickness complained of.
In another case, a tin of a well-known brand of evaporated
milk was found to be sour. An immediate investigation was
made at the shop premises and a number of similar tins were
tried, and the remainder withdrawn from stock.
Later, in the presence of a representative of the Manufacturers,
some of the tins were opened. Although the milk was
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