THE MILK SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2832, 25 July 1916, Page 7

THE MILK SUPPLY

DISQUIETING FACTS

DOMINION ANALYST'S STATEMENT

Tho well-worn subject of milk-supply has found its way into, the annual report of. Dr. Maclaurin, the Dominion Analyst. . These are hie references to tho subject: "Samples analysed, during the year cover the Wellington, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, and Nelson districts.' In .all. 593 were received' under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act. "Wellington City—Only 338 samples were .'taken .during the year from retailers and. suppliers in Wellington City and suburbs, and of theso eleven had been watered, ton others weM belois the I standard in solids other than fat, four were deliciout in fa't, and ton wore stale. Tho average adulteration of tho watered samples was 15 l-3rd j>er cent., equivalent to i per cent, over the whole of the 6upply. • This is less than in previous, years, would still be 'highly profitable to the vendor. The use of preservatives does not appear to be so general as is popularly.believed. "Other Districts—Over two hundred samples were received from outlying towns and districts. Of twenty-nine from Palmerston North,( two were watered and two others slightly below the standard. Wanganui- forwarded thirty-two, one being skimmed, another watered, and three more slightly under tho standard. Titranaki Provinco. furnished forty-four, of which it™ were deficient in-fat. Prom the. towns- in the : Wairarapa district twonty.came to hand, only one of which was seriously adulterated. Hawke's Bay supplied five,' two being watered. Of forty samples from Gisborne, six contained added watery and two others were deficient in fat. Thirty-two samples came from Nelson, two being slightly below the standard,' and nine from Marlborough, all good milks. Thirty-two were received from 'towns on tho Afain Trunk line, from Marton to Ohakuno inclusive. Of these'six had been watered, two partly skimmed, aid : two others were slightly below the standard. The results of legal proceedings taken against vendors for selling adulterated, milk aTO shown, iu the following table .. Number Number of Pines .

"The'substantial fines imposed m many cases'should' have a salutary effect. The study of the bacterial condition of milk retailed in Wellington City has heen continued during the year, and has disclosed the-'disquieting-fact , that a., considerable •proportion. of the milk, even in tho winter-time, is scarcely fit for human consumption. .'The Plnnlcet nurse reports, that'in', many cases it is impossible 'to prepare humanised niiiK from tlio liquid sold.: The causes of this unsound condition may liO the use ot unhealthy cows, lack of cleanliness m milking and handling, insufficient cooling, or merely staleness. These are all remediable, and; the public is justified iii demanding that -a fresh, clean, healthful article lie supplied."- ■ • -

District. : •. of cases, convictions. & costs. !.. . £ s. d. Wellington.' City 9 8 67 19 0" Iliitt and. Otaki + ■ 4 118 18 0 Palmerston N.-2. 2 12 17 0 Martou 3 3. 30 1 8 Taihape 1 1 ' 1 S .Hunterville 1 1 • „ Ohakune 1- ■; 1 '• . 5 0 0. Wanganui ......... 2' 2 18 1 0 New Plymouth-1 1. 'J ® '$ | ilasterton .11 J 0 0 ■Waipukurau .... 1 1 0 . ~ ■Napier. 1 1 S Gisborne 5 •' o U ® ; 31 437 5 0