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234
Of the Milk samples, 5 were adulterated with water
and the vendors prosecuted and fined (see Table); and 5
were found very poor, the vendors of these were warned
by letter from the Vestry Clerk.
Of the Vinegar samples, 4 contained less than 4 per
cent. of real Acetic Acid (C2H402); their vendors were
warned that these Vinegars were too weak. No. 57 was
certified as containing 22 per cent. of added water; the
vendor was prosecuted, but acquitted. The accuracy of the
analysis made in St. James's was fully admitted, but the
defence turned upon what standard should be taken
for vinegar. The magistrate decided that the weakest
vinegar might possibly contain only 3 per cent. of Acetic
Acid, and the defendant was thereupon acquitted.
In vinegar No. 74, free Sulphuric Acid (.1275 per cent.)
was found. In my opinion, the addition of Sulphuric Acid
to Vinegar is a fraudulent and injurious act, but, owing to
the uncertain state of the law, and the fact that the old
Vinegar Act allowed for excise purposes one thousandth
part by weight of Oil of Vitriol to exist in vinegar, I did
not advise a prosecution. The vendor of this vinegar was
warned. The question of prosecuting will be reconsidered
in the event of free Sulphuric Acid being again found in
Vinegar.
Upon the Law relating to the Sale of Vinegar containing
Sulphuric Acid, the following report was made to the
Sanitary Committee by Harry Wilkins, Esquire, Barristerat-Law,
Clerk to the Vestry of St. James.
"Apart altogether from statute law, a purchaser has a right
to obtain the article for which he pays the price. If any article
of food, or used in the preparation of food, is sold in such a