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it was only permissive and not obligatory, it became
of no advantage unless the Local Authority elected
to avail itself of this permission. This was what
the Urban District Council of Surbiton did, being
one of the first authorities in this part of the county
to do so, and we have now a paid Veterinary
Inspector, appointed August 1st, 1900, who duly
inspects every three months every cow in the district
that is kept for trade purposes, and reports to the
Council, who then, in a case of declared disease,
deals with it through its officers in the manner
prescribed for unwholesome food. Moreover, this
Council commenced a correspondence with surrounding
Authorities with a view to inducing them to take
similar action. This was obviously necessary, since
the milk produced in one district is oftentimes sold
in another, and, to protect ourselves properly, it was
essential that other districts should also adopt these
amended regulations.
The Council next passed a resolution on the
14th December, 1903, dealing with the matter of
co-operation in veterinary inspection of cows on the
part of neighbouring districts; and on the 8th
November, 1904, a letter was addressed to the
Local Government Board urging them to make this
examination compulsory instead of optional. So far,
however, nothing was done, and other Authorities
were not over quick to avail themselves of this
permission, so that it was not until last year that a
proper veterinary inspection of cows was instituted
in a neighbouring district, from whence a not
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