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49
Only 1 of the Mustards, or 5 per Cent. of these samples, was
adulterated, this was by the addition of flour.
The various prosecutions for adulteration were very successfully
conducted by your Inspectors. The total sum for fines during the
year ordered to be paid into the Vestry's account was £103 5s. 6d.
Contrasting the results of this year with that of the preceding
year it is satisfactory to find a decrease of adulteration this year.
In 1886 no less than 48 per Cent. of the samples of Milk and 39
per Cent. of the Butter samples were found to be adulterated. This
result is partly due, I think, to a larger number of samples having
been taken this year, and to the fact that the persistent efforts of the
Sanitary Committee are gradually making themselves felt amongst
the traders. Much however remains to be done to bring down these
high averages to the level of the rest of London.
If only Magistrates would impose really substantial fines on old
offenders, much of this adulteration would cease. Great hopes were
raised on the passing of the Margarine Act that Butter would be
protected, the Act gives the Magistrate the power of imposing fines
from £20 to £100.
So far the usual paltry fines have been imposed, and neither the
British farmer nor the consumer is any the more protected than
before.
Appending a tabulated statement of the Articles examined during
the last Quarter,
I remain
Your obedient servant,
ALF. W. STOKES,
Public Analyst.