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47
MEAL AND FLOUR.
The quantity seized was 3 tons 6 cwts. 2 qrs. 24 lbs. Most of it was Rummage
Sale goods, and was dealt with in the same way as the grain.
SUGAR.
The total quantity of Sugar destroyed was 65 tons 19 cwts. 2 qrs. 10 lbs., and
in respect of the greater part of this the following is of interest :—
The s.s. " Lime Branch," from Peru, arrived on the 16th March and discharged
her cargo, amongst which were 12,625 sacks of crude borate and also 7,737 sacks of
sugar.
When the sugar had been delivered, it was found that many of the sacks were
coated on the exterior with the borate. An examination of the borate showed that it
contained arsenic in dangerous quantities, and samples of the sugar taken from the
surface of the sugar also contained arsenic.
Consignments of the sugar had already been delivered in West Ham, Battersea,
Stepney and Poplar.
The bags of sugar contaminated with borate which went to Battersea, Stepney
and Poplar were returned to the district of this Authority and dealt with under the
supervision of your Officer.
The bags were opened, the surface of the sugar scraped off to the extent of halfan-inch,
and the sound sugar placed in new, clean bags.
Of a total of 3,936 bags returned to the Dock for sorting, 419 were found to be
sound and 3,517 were damaged.
From the damaged bags 61 tons 4 cwts. 2 qrs. 4 lbs. of sugar was scraped off as
unfit for human food, the remainder being passed as fit for human food.
The s.s. " Ville du Havre," from Peru, which arrived on the 15th May, was also
found to contain bags of sugar contaminated with borate.
In all, 479 bags were examined and 276 found to be contaminated. These were
dealt with in the same manner as those from the " Lime Branch," and resulted in
1 ton 11 cwts. 0 qrs. 19 lbs. of the sugar being rejected as unfit for human food.
EGGS.
No eggs were seized during the year.
Fifteen barrels of egg yolk, weighing 2 tons 1 cwt. 1 qr., were seized on board
a " Naval prize." These were disposed of by the owners, and released under a
satisfactory guarantee for leather dressing.