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importers were informed, that if any similar consignments were imported in the future,
and found to contain " worm," the meat would be seized and taken before a magistrate,
with a view to obtaining an order for its condemnation and destruction, and they would
be dealt with subsequently in accordance with the provisions of the law.
No further consignments of this character arrived in the Port during the year.
On the 16th May, one of your Food Inspectors, while examining a consignment of
Chilled Beef from the Argentine Republic, found a hind-quarter on which the scrotum
fat was very much beyond the normal size, and full of pus. The fat was removed and
sent to Dr. F. A. Andrewes, at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, for pathological examination,
and he reported that:—
" The specimen of scrotum fat from a hind-quarter of Beef, left with me
" yesterday, by your Inspector, is tuberculous. I find large cavities full of
" semi-fluid pultaceous material, which contains tubercle bacilli in large numbers.
" I think it probable that a tuberculous abscess has arisen in the lymphatic glands
" of the region in question, but if so, the glands are now practically destroyed."
On the 18th May, the Inspector discovered seven casks of salted Beef (ship's storer.)
which had been sold by the master of a vessel to a " dealer." The meat was putrid,
and was accordingly seized and destroyed.
On the 12th June, the s.s. " Oswestry Grange" arrived from Brisbane, via
Liverpool, having on board three bags of neck beef (scrap meat). This was Foreign
Meat of Class 1, and a notice had been served upon the importers, by the Medical
Officer of Health at Liverpool, forbidding the removal of the meat from the vessel for
any purpose other than exportation, in accordance with the provisions of Articles III.
(5) and IV (1) of the Public Health (Foreign Meat) Regulations, 1908. The
importers decided to have the meat destroyed instead of incurring the expense of
exporting it, and this was done under the supervision of your Officers.
On an inspection of the schooner "Reward," of Chester, 76,180, on the 9th
November, it was found that about 8 lbs. of salt beef (stored in one of the vessel's harness
casks) was in an offensive condition, and quite unfit for food. The condition was
brought to the notice of the Mate, and the meat was destroyed by burning in the furnace.
The s.s. "Anglian," from Boston, U.S.A., arrived on the 8th November, when it
was found that amongst the cargo there were 100 tubs marked " Imitation of Currant
Jelly," composed of apple juice, maple syrup, phosphoric acid, and colouring matter.
There was no infringement of the Merchandise Marks Act, and no action could be taken
by this Authority under the Food and Drugs Acts.
It is stated that this substance is sold largely to confectioners, where it doubtless
masquerades, and is consumed as, currant jelly.
PIG CARCASES.
Special attention was paid to pig-carcases imported during the year, with the
result that 57 carcases were found to be affected with tuberculosis, as compared with
52 in the previous year.