DIRTY CONDITIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1927, Page 4

DIRTY CONDITIONS

WANG AXU L ICE-CREAM SHOP

SUBSTANTIAL EINE lAIPOSED

WANGANUI, February 21

Filthy conditions in an ice-cream shop at Cnstleeliff were described to tile .Magistrate, Mr Burton, at tlije Court to-<lay by Inspector Pear, when Wilfred D. Dixon was charged with a breach of the food regulations. In the room where the ice-cream churn was located In* found empty sacks, sacks of potatoes, rotten potatoes, wheat and other material scattered about. The place was undoubtedly dirty. It n»is full of boxes of tins with dirty water and other rubbish. Four or lice empty cream tins were also in the yard. These uerc dirty and stale cream was caked to the bottom and sides. The yard drain was wet and slushy. It was the practice with this manufacturer to stand at the door and throw everything out. Referring once more to the ice-cream room, the inspector said that it was in a filthy state. The wooden churn was dirty, and the iron work "as rusty and thick with lilth. He "as certain it had not been cleaned tor a long time. The walls were dirty and the concrete lioor was thick with muck. A large can in which ice-cream was made had about halt a gallon ot -our cream in the bottom, and a one-gallon can contained rotten cream. Another can also contained semi-sour milk, and this also was in a dirty state. There were two sodden sacks on the floor, and defendant threw them out at the time of tlie inspection. Also in the ice-cream room was a tin ot tat, some cases of eggs, and a bowl with four or five pounds of butter. 'I he latter was covered with dirt.

The inspector picked up a dirty wooden spoon out of the filth on the floor. This had been used in the manufacture of ice-cream. Butter was kept in the ice-cream room to cool, and when required was sent into the tea rooms in the shop. When defendant saw the inspector tie remarked: “You have collie at the wrong time.” The inspector replied that lie had come at the right time. Defendant was very excited and said that he made the ice-cream on Sunday night, and as he did not have any hot water he left the cleaning up till Monday morning. He was called to town and consequently the promised elean-up did not take place. Defendant

had been fined Co for a similar offence in 1024. Since being served with the summons he had assigned his cstato and left for Australia. Ho wrote to Lh.e inspector stating that lie could not face another prosecution. The Magistrate said that it was a serious case and a serious menace to children eating ice-cream. It would be necessary to make it a serious warning to other vendors. Defendant was fined £ls and costs 10s.