The Globe. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1878.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1459, 19 October 1878, Page 2

The Globe. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1878.

During tlio past few days our readers have no doubt noticed that analyses of broad and milk vended in the city have been made by the local analyst. It is satisfactory to observe, however, that only fa very few instances in either commodity were traces of adulteration to bo found- the stringent enforcing of the provisions of the Act would bo and is productive of great good cannot be denied. The very fact of .analyses being made, and the chance of then dairies or shops being visited, is quite; enough to keep any peccant milkman or baker in the light path. But while this is so, it occurs to us to enquire why it is this wholesome supervision and check over dishonest vendors of articles ( of (Consumption, does not go further than the sampler of bread and milk. It is true that those ago articles which enter largely into consumption, and, therefore, it is highly necessary in the interests of the public health that care should taken that they arc vended pure. Bqt while this is so, we would .desiro to soo the principle extended still further. The result of Professor Bickortou’s analyses shews that a very small percentage of adulteration existed in the samples submitted, and this adulteration was to a great extent of a harmless character. But there are adulterations. daily practised in thio city which are far from harmless, (Which contribute in no small degree to the filling of our hospitals and lunatic asylums W swelling of the ranks of

convicts in our prisons. While wo make much of the discovery of a little water in our milk and a few grains of alum in the broad wo have in our midst adulterations which sap the public health unchecked. It is well known that both wines and spirits are adulterated in Christchurch to a very largo extent, and numberless instances could bo cited in which stupefaction, followed by serious illness, has supervened on the taking of a glass of spirits in certain places in Christchurch. It may bo argued that the remedy is easy, and no doubt our Good Templar friends will say that total abstinence is a cure for this state of things. It may bo so; into that branch of the subject wo have no wish to enter in the present article. The trade in alcoholic liquors is licensed by law, and it is well known that to attempt to make men sober by Act of Parliament is a farce, and therefore we have to deal with matters as they are, and not as they mould exist under a sort of Utopian regime. That being so, we assort that such a state qf things as wo have pointed out is a disgrace to the community, in that the health of the people is allowed to bo jeopardised as it wore oven under the sanction of the Government. Lot any one take the trouble to search the registers of the Lunatic Asylum or study the reports of the Criminal Sessions, and what will bo the result F Why that two-thirds of the lunacy and crime committed is directly traceable to the vile compounds which are vended here. Men become for the time lunatics, and in this state commit crime. Why is it, we ask therefore, when this fact is as wellknown to the authorities as it is to us, when it is matter of ordinary every day comment, that no stops are taken to repress it ? It is true that some time ago prosecutions were instituted against certain- licensed victuallers, for what F Why, for putting water into their spirits. The whole proceeding was a farce. The samples wore procured in such a way as to put the most inexperienced publican on his guard, and, of course, the very best in the house was received for analyzation. That is the only effort which has boon made to put a stop to a growing and serious evil amongst us, although attention has boon called time after time to its existence. Lot samples of the liquor vended in this city in the front of the bars frequented by working men and mechanics bo procured in such a way as to secure the obtaining of the spirits ordinarily vended over the counter and not out of the “ particular ” bottle on the shelf, and wo venture to say results will bo obtained which would astonish those who are perhaps unaware of the extent to which this evil now exists in some houses in Christchurch. Full powers are given under the Act of last session to the proper officers to obtain these samples, and the penalty is heavy. A few convictions — aye, or oven one —obtained under the Act, would have a deterrent effect, as no one would bo certain as to when his hotel might be visited. To give notice of intention to obtain samples and to send a person for that purpose, who is perfectly well known to the publican is hardly the way to got samples such as would afford a fair test of the ordinary character of liquor vended. We trust that some stops will bo taken to render the Act effective; the Legislature has done its part by providing the machinery, and also the punishment for offenders. It now remains for those who are entrusted with the carrying out of the details to do their duty, and in such a way as will render it at once useful and effective. There is a minor point in connection with this subject to which we also desire to draw attention. We have said minor, but that is as compared with the evil effects of bad liquor to which we have been referring. In reality the practice to which we allude is also important as bearing upon the health of the rising generation. We refer to the custom, so general amongst the fruitsellers of Christchurch, of vending halfrotten or damaged fruit, at a low price. This fruit is totally unfit for human consumption, but yet, from the low price at which it is sold, it is largely purchased by juveniles. The evil effects of unripe or damaged fruit are too well known to need comment, and the practice of selling the latter is one which should at once bo put a stop to. Power is given under the Act to proceed against any person vending any article of food unfit for human consumption, and this clearly includes fruit in the condition to which we have referred. Wo commend this to the notice of the authorities, in the hope that measures will be taken, either by warning the fruit vendors or enforcing the Act, to put a stop to the practice.