WATER IN MILK

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 269, 9 August 1919, Page 13

WATER IN MILK

] HOW DID IT GET THERE?

A POINT IN FAVOUR OF SEALED BOTTLES

"To deliver milk in sealed bottles is the only way to protect the public," remarked Mr. H. F. von Hanst in a. caso at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, in ■which Thomas Parker, milk vendor, of Owen Street, was charged "with havings on Juno 12, sold a sample of milk cos taining 22 per cent, of added water. Mr. J. M. Tudhopa prosecuted on bchaH of the Health Department, and Mr. von Haast represented the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. F. W. Rawlinson tendered evidence that about 6.35 a.m. on tho date of the information ho took a sample of milk from the driver of one of tho defendant's delivery carts. When analysed; the sample was found, to contain 22 per cent., or nearly one-fifth, of added water. In reply to Mr. von Haast, the witness 6tated that ho had taken eighteen other samples from defendant this year, and they were all up to standard. The milk was supplied from the Municipal Milk Depot, and six samples taken from other vendors on Juno 12 were found to be all right. Samuel L. Steele, testing officer at the Municipal Milk Depot, gave evidence as to the quality of tho milk handled at tho depot on June 11. Sixty-one cans were delivered to vendors about Owen Street, and the milk was all quite up to standard.

Paul C. Peters, distributing superintendent at the milk depot, said that tho cans for defendant and two other dairymen were left outsidenParker's shop at an early hour on tho morning of June 12, and were signed for by one of tho other vendors.' On more than one occasion Parker had complained of a'shortage in his milk. The company echomo was not in operation on June 12. Defendant said that ho got np at 5 o'clock on the morning of June 12. Ho did not put any water in the milk, wnfl his customers would be sure to 'complain .if it were watered to the extent of onefifth. He had not received any complaints. On'several occasions he haft found that his milk was short, and he could only suggest that somebody had taken some of the milk on the morning of Juno 12, and had replaced it with water.

Mr. Tndhope: How many gallons did you Ret that msrning? Defendant: I was - one-third short of my 6upply. Mr. von Haast said that until the milk was distributed from the municipal depot in sealed Lotties it was quite, obvious that water could find its way into some vendors' cans. If cans were left in front of a shop early in the morning, a man who felt inclined could take., milk from the cans and then fill them up with water. Defendant had a good reputation, and a large number of samples taken had been found to be satisfactory.

His Worship (Mr. E. Page, S.M.) said the proportion .of water found in the milk seemed to bo very largo, but thefe were elements of the case which were certainly in favour ,of the -.defendant. Oh the other hand, there was the faot that unless there was actual visual evidence it was. almost impossible to 6ay how water got into the milk. It would not bo unreasonable for defendant to take 'delivery of his milk in a much more businesslike way than he appeared to be doing. Milk-cans for .several vendors were put on the footpath together, signed for by someone, and were tnen left for an hour or two before they were collected. Defondant must be convicted, and a penalty of £h, with M 18s. 6d. costs, .would be^Jmposed.