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117
Tuesday.—On Tuesday, the Conference was resumed at
ten o'clock, when the Prime Warden of the Fishmongers'
Company, Bryan Durant, Esq., received the delegates in a few
well-chosen words of welcome. This was followed by the
Presidential Address of Sir James Crichton Browne, F.R.S.
Sir James, as is usual at the3e meetings, made the subject of
his discourse one of the matters that form part of Public
Health Administration, and on this occasion selected for his
subject, "Food and Fish Supply." He pointed out that last
year 248,075 tons of fish were delivered at Billingsgate, and
946 tons were seized and destroyed as unfit for human food.
Sir James's address, which lasted nearly two hours, embraced
every aspect of the fish industry, was listened to by a large
audience with rapt attention. The dangers of Fish as a food
and the great need of constant and vigilant supervision by the
Inspectors were pointed out, and many valuable hints given
of which the members readily availed themselves. Sir James
also dealt at length with the value of fish as a food and the
urgent necessity of bringing it within the teach of poor
people, especially in Inland Towns and Rural Districts. Sir
James resumed his seat amid great applause, and was accorded
a hearty vote of thanks.
Following Sir James's address was a paper by Mr.
J. Roberts, Chief Inspector to the Fishmongers' Company,
entitled, "The Distinguishing and Inspection of Marketable
Fishes." Mr. Roberts's paper, accompanied by demonstrations,
was a valuable contribution and useful to every Inspector
in the discharge of his duties.
The next paper was by Dr. Andrew Balfour, M.D.,
D.P.H., F.R.S.E., on " Tropical Sanitation." This paper was
very instructive and especially helpful to Inspectors who are
engaged in tropical countries, or who are contemplating taking
up such appointments.
The delegates were then entertained by the Fishmongers'
Company to lunch, which consisted very largely of fish. After
lunch, the party was conducted over the works of Messrs.
Peak, Frean & Co., and were shown the processes and methods
of biscuit manufacture.