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13
The position with regard to old houses is made more
difficult by reason of the high cost of repairs. The question
of "reasonable cost "having to be borne in mind, yet demolition
on anything but a small scale is not practicable because
of the need for finding new accommodation for the people
displaced.
Fifty-seven samples were taken of graded milks, fifty-two
of which were satisfactory. Five samples failed the methylene
blue test, three of the samples being tuberculin tested
(pasteurised) milk retailed by one particular dairy. There
had previously been trouble with this milk so arrangements
were made for an alternative source of supply.
Thirty-six samples of ice-cream were taken, the grading
of which was as follows:—
Group 1 Groups 1 and 2 Group 3 Group 4
54.83% 64.51% 25.8% 9.67%
Five samples were of a type which could not be examined
for grouping. With regard to the grouping of samples
the position is a little better than the figures above show,
because where an unsatisfactory sample was obtained the
source of supply was concentrated upon for further samples,
thus more than an average number of unsatisfactory samples
was obtained. On the other hand it was found that a
number of samples which had a good grouping also contained
coliform organisms and could not therefore be considered
satisfactory.
There are no large manufacturers of ice-cream in the
area, the majority of retailers purchase their ice-cream from
outside sources and only a very small number make their
own.
A great deal of work is required in connection with
premises where food is prepared, stored, etc., and as much
time as possible is spent on this work, but it is, of necessity,
limited by the number of inspectors available and the calls
upon their time by the many other activities of the department.
There is close co-operation with the Food Executive
Officer of the Ministry of Food with regard to food premises
in respect of which applications for new licences are under
consideration.