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To the Vestry of the Parish of Olerkenwett.
Gentlemen,
I present herewith a detailed statement of the Analyses of
Articles supplied to me for that purpose by your Inspector, during
the quarter ending on the 31st December. The List of Articles
includes Milk, Butter, Tea, Mustard, Pepper, Vinegar, Sweets, Beer
Gin, Whiskey, Brandy, Rum, Port Wine and Sherry. The whole
number of Samples analysed amounts to 54, of which only two were
found to be clearly adulterated. Two samples of Sweets were also found
to be in an impure state, but samples of the same articles subsequently
obtained from the same place were free from that defect. It is satisfactory
to find that the proportion of adulterated articles among those
submitted to analysis is much smaller than it has been on former
occasions. The article which still contiues to be most frequently and
most largely adulterated, is Milk, and referring to my experience in
other districts as well as this, I cannot say that there is any very
decided permanent improvement in the quality of this article, as
supplied to the public. The addition of water is so easily made and
so difficultly detected by the general public, that the temptation to
resort to the practice of thus adulterating Milk, can only, I believe, be
suppressed by strictly carrying the law into effect, and causing the
Inspector not only to visit the retail dealers, but to assist as far as
possible in getting at the fountain-head of the evil, by tracing out
the wholesale adulterators.
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant.
(Signed) T. REDWOOD.
17, Bloomsbury Square,
8th February, 1875.