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105
nuts, the physical condition of the nuts was such as to render them
unfit for human food. They were rancid.
"Taylor said he purchased the nuts from Mr. Brinkley for
7s. 6d. per cwt., and both he and Mr. Brinkley thought they
were good. He and his children ate many without ill effects, and
so did a man who was with him with the barrow.
" Mr. Brinkley stated that the man who sold him the nuts was
introduced to him by an old traveller. He ate several, and thought
they were very good. He had been in the nut trade for sixteen
years, and this was the first time he had heard that a nut was unfit
for food. When he was informed that these were poisonous, he took
all the necessary steps to prevent any more being sold. He believed
the person who sold him the nuts was a ship's captain, and he
would like to find him. He had spent five days trying in vain to do
so.
" Mr. Cecil Chapman : You did not know from whence they
came?—I thought they came from South America.
" And, as a matter of fact, they come from China?—Yes, we
bought them as a novelty.
"Mr. Cecil Chapman said that putting a novelty upon the
public which was intended for food involved the responsibility of
ascertaining whether it was wholesome and fit for human food.
Brinkley would be fined £5 and two guineas costs, and the
summons against Taylor would be withdrawn."
AERATED WATERS FACTORIES.
I have been asked by the owners of such factories in this borough to
inspect them with the object of certifying that the premises are in a good
sanitary state in regard to cleanliness, ventilation and the necessary
convenience accommodation for the workpeople, also that the tanks,
pipes and connections and the methods of working are such as to render
contamination of the various drinks highly improbable.
I know objection has been raised to the giving of certificates by a
medical officer of health in such cases as it is thought it might lead to the
certificate appearing in the form of an advertisement. The manufacturers
have assured me that a certificate is not intended to be used for such a
purpose. I have given a certificate in all cases I thought worthy of one,
as the advantages of saying a kind word in favour of cleanly methods
appeared to me to outweigh all anticipated troubles.