FAILED TO STAMP TEST

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1926, Page 1

FAILED TO STAMP TEST

MILK VENDORS IN TROUBLE. AUCKLAND, Alay 28. Failure of milk to stand up to the reductase test for the required period of three hours resulted in the prosecution of three vendors in the Polios Court. Mr V. N. Hubble appeared for the Health Department. In the case of the Auckland Milk Company, Ltd. (Mr Grey), a breach was admitted. . Air Hubble said that since the prominence given to the reductase test last year legislation had been introduced to require that a sample should be treated within four hours of its sale. This was to reduce the possibility of interior deterioration. AVlien a solution of Alcthyline blue was applied good milk would withstand discoloration for at least three hours. Milk which discoloured in shorter periods was unfit for sale owing to the presence of excessive bacteria. If the test took less than two- hours the milk was definitely bad. An inspector had obtained a sample from a shop at Dovonport owned by tho Auckland Alilk Company, Ltd. Tho milk withstood the test for only twenty minutes. Mr Grey said the inspector had been served bv a little girl, who bad unfortunately drawn on the wrong can. The inspector stated tho “little girl” appeared to be at least twenty-four years of age. Mr Hunt: If tlie' inspector got bad milk the public would have got it, too. Next time I will iihpose a fine of £25 or £SO. Defendants were fined £lO. A plea of guilty was entered by James Preston, of Takapnna (Air Chalmers). AH Hubble said the milk was a sample that had yielded to the reductase test in one hour and a quarter. Inspector AVliite said he had just purchased the milk when defendant arrived with a fresh supply. He told witness he had been delayed with the morning’s supply. The Afagistrato: If a woman with a, sick child had bought the milk she would have got the only supply. It was a mistake, but I cannot have mistakes with milk. A fine of £5 was imposed William Young (Mr K. Dyson), of Broadway, Newmarket, also pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given that defendant’s milk had succumbed to tho the test in two hours. Counsel suggested that the milk could have been contaminated during the transference to the laboratory. He said that defendant’s sales were very small. Defendant was convicted and fined £l.