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107
No nuisance was found to exist in 1922, but some papers were noticed
on both sides. Messrs. J. H. Robinson were asked whether they would
be good enough to open their lock-gates at judicious intervals and at
suitable states of the tide. The Greenwich Council agreed to co-operate
with Deptford if any material change occurred in the state of the river.
Circular, Milk Prosecutions. This circular stated that it was
extremely undesirable that a prosecution should be based (as a result
of a milk analysis) upon the results of an isolated test, therefore prosecutions
should be instituted only where a series of tests have shown
repeated default. The Council took exception to this circular, and
asked the Ministry to withdraw it. The general reception given to this
circular was such that the Ministry eventually withdrew it.
Milk and Dairies (Amendment) Act, 1922. Whilst this was still
a Bill, the Member of Parliament was asked to support an amendment
urging the abolition of the statutory defence of Warranty. The
warranty is still in existence and it is a curse to every person anxious
that the public should receive milk which is of the nature, substance and
quality demanded.
The Milk and Dairies (Amendment) Act, 1922 is chiefly an educational
measure. People are learning that milk is graded into
"Certified" milk, "Grade A" and "Pasteurised." Once the difference
between these and ordinary milk is realised, the demand for the better
qualities will doubtless increase. The Act forbids the addition of
colouring matter or water, or any dried or condensed milk, or any fluid
reconstituted therefrom, or any skimmed milk or separated milk to milk
intended for sale. It is forbidden to sell the milk of a cow suffering
from tuberculosis of the udder. If the dairy farmer could have ascertained
the existence of the same by the exercise of ordinary care he
shall be held guilty. Provisions are made in the Act for the obtaining
of the necessary licences.
Housing. Barely a week passes without an application at the
Town Hall for a house. There are, of course, none to be had. The
Council have built where land was available (see last year's Report).
In the Baildon Street area there are some houses, the leases of which
terminate in a few years. It is one region in which a Housing scheme
might be carried out. Behind Speedwell Street there is some vacant
land, not much it is true, but sufficient to commence building. The
operation could be extended by degrees in this locality as room is made
by pulling down old property.