MILK PROSECUTIONS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 74, 20 December 1919, Page 4

MILK PROSECUTIONS

THREE CONVICTIONS RECORDED DEFICIENCY IN FATS

Tho City Milk Supply Company was proceeded against by tho Public Health Department at the Magistrate's Court yesterday on a charge of selling adulterated milk on October 10. Mr. 15. Page, S M.. was on tho bench. Mr. J. J£. Preiidevillc, of tho Crown Law Office, prosecuted; Mr. M. Myers represented tho company; and Mr. J. O'Sliea (city solicitor') watcher procediugs on belialr of tho city corporation. The prosecution alleged that the dofendant company sold milk which was in fate, and called tho evidence of an inspector who took a sample.

Counsel for the defendant company staled that his clients had received a loinnlnint some time prior to the test, which was the basis of the prosecution, to the effect that the milk was not sufficiently agitatod. This complaint was referred to tho manager of the milk aepot, and a reply was received to tho effect that this could not be correct, but creator care would be exercised in tho future. The defendants accepted this statement. On tho morning of tho test the milk was poured from a 5-mllon can villi two servers, each of whicn contained two ami a half gallons. One hundred and thirty samples had been taken from tho dofendnnt company, but it had been found that the company had taken every care. Counsel then called evidence to tho effect that the milk from which tho snmplo was taken was received from the municipal depot. Sidney Q. Cole, manager for tho defendant company, said that following tho veceiDt. of the notice of the test lie immediately made inquiries from his men. lie had receiver complaints from some of his customers regarding the quality of the milk supplied, and ho referred tho matter to the assistant-manager of the milk depot, who promised to make investigations. Following this there were further complaints. "The municipal authorities have not yet got over their difficulties then?" queried Mr. Myers. 'Witness: No I take it. you do your'best to assist tho authorities?—'"Oh, yes." In answer to counsel for the prosecution. witness said that they did not test the milk received from tho municipal milk depot, as they took it for granted that it. was all right. Counsel for tho prosecution then called the evidence of Samuel Steel, who produced the municipal depot's books, showing tho records of tho percentage of fats in the milk sent out from tho depot on tho da? i i question. There was no milk with mieli a low percentage of fat as 2.80. The milk carried over- from Saturday and Sunday was kept in cans in the cooling chamber, and the defendant company recived 380 gallons of this. It was taken out of the cooling chamber at 2 a.m. on tho date it was supl Dlied to th'! defendants.

Mr. Mvers: But the City Milk Supply Company received their milk at about 5.3(1 a.m.' 'Where did they pick it up from?—" From the delivery room."

Exactly, then it was lying in the delivery room for about three hours?—" Yes."

In answer to further questions by Mr. Mvers. witness stated that the defendant company hart received "carried over" milk for some days.

Mr. Myers submitted that thb milk supplied to his clients did not contain 4 per cent of butter-fats.

Mr. l'rendevillo said that the defendants had admitted that they took no steps towards testing the milk supplied to them.

His Worship recorded a conviction and oroered the defendant company to nnv the costs of the prosecution. Ho stated that there was no surest-ion that the defendant company had acted dishonestly.

Georire Broivn, who was (Mended by Mr. 0. C. Mnzenjarb, was also convicted and ordered to pay costs JH 18s. Cd. fur M-llinir milk ooficient in fats.

Virions, Morris was convictptl nntl ordered to n.iv court costs for selling; milk delicient in fats.