MILK PROSECUTIONS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 247, 6 July 1918, Page 9

MILK PROSECUTIONS

TWO VENDORS CHARGED ONE FINED TWENTY POUNDS Mr. P. \Y. liawlin son, inspector under tho Pure Food ,'ind Jjrugs Act, proceeded against the (jivy Milk Supply iu the Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr. J.''. V. ionizer, S.JI., for eelliiipr milk which was deficient in fats. Mr. 31. Myers, who apppcaral for the del'ondant, said that the firm handled considerable quantity of milk. During the past twelve months over 150 samples of milk had been taken, and fho one that was tho subject of fho prosecution was tho first to show a deficiency. The causo for this was that the employee in charge of tho cart hart failed to stir up the cream with the implement that was supplied to him for tho purpose. Tho Magistrate said it was a different case to that ill which water had been added to the milk, and the explanation made by counsel was feasible. Under the circumstances the company would bf fined £2, with costs 3Ss. Gd. The Magistrate remarked that the minimum fine ho imposed in adulterated milk cases was .I*s, and that ho had gone below tho minimum on account of tho special circumstances. Frank Stavc!ey and Lloyd Fletcher, trading as Staveley and Fletcher, were charged with selling adulterated milk, and with failing to inform tho purchaser that tho milk was adulterated. ii^ J ; -A" a ' r > 'who appeared fat , the defendants, entered a plea of guilty and explained that the sample of miili was taken from a cart driven by Stave Icy. The samplo upon analysis was found. to contain 15 per cent, of addec witter, and it was tho first time thai anything was discovered to be wronf with tho milk on his cart, and upward: of one hundred samples had been taken Tho milk was obtained from a farmei at Miramar and was sold in exactly tin same condition as it was received. Stave ley interviewed tho farmer, and aske( him if ho could ?ivo any reason or ex plain how tho water got into the mill; Tho coolcr was examined and it wai found that thero was a small leal through which water may haro got in Mr. Blair stated that ho had a Ictte; from the farmer intimating that ho wai responsible for tho vater being sotted nnd read tho letter to the Court. the Magistrate said that 15 per cent added water could'not have got into tin milk through u small leak in the cooler and he would back Jiis opinion agains anybody's. The explanation given b; defendant was not a sufficient one. Tlv health of _ the community was tho firs consideration, and it must be rcmem bered that milk was the chief food o children. A conviction would be enter ed and a fine of ,£2O imposed with cost 17s. Gtl. The Health Department was instructs to advertise tho conviction in tho thro city daily papers, as such a practice hai proved a deterrent in Auckland.