View report page

14
The greater part of the milk used in Twickenham is
obtained from farms situated outside the district.
There are 42 shops in Twickenham in which milk is
kept for retail over the counter, the proprietors being all
registered as purveyors of milk. Twenty-two of these are
proper dairies or places in which the business is almost limited
to dairy products. The rest are small general shops. The daily
quantity of milk sold in these shops varies from 2 quarts to 4
gallons, but the average daily sale is about 1 gallon per shop.
That there should be so many places where milk is kept in
open vessels for retail in this manner is regrettable, especially
when all the risks that are run of contamination of the milk
are taken into consideration. At present there is no restriction
to milk being sold in any place or in connection with any
other business, provided the occupier is registered, which
cannot be refused, and the regulations as to the sale of
milk complied with. An amendment of the law is urgently
needed.
The Veterinary Surgeon appointed by the Council, reported
that, during the three months ended 31st March, 1909,
he had inspected 133 cows, the property of nine owners.
That he found only one animal in ill-health, and the animal
was destroyed. The other cows were in good health, clean,
and their udders were free from tuberculosis, and that the
general condition of the animals was highly satisfactory.
In the report of the subsequent three months the same
Inspector stated he had inspected 134 cows, and in every case
the animals were in good condition, and in perfect health.
The next report contained the statement that 134 milch
cows had been inspected, and with one exception they were
perfectly healthy and in fine bodily condition. The animal
which was in an unhealthy state had only been recently
purchased and had not given any milk, was destroyed.
It would appear that the animals of the district had
been in quite a satisfactory condition.
Housing of the Working Classes Acts.
There is one very important part of the work of the
Health Department, viz.: what is known as "House-tohouse"
inspection, which means the systematic inspection
throughout the year of ordinary dwelling-houses with the