The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1882.

Kumara Times, Issue 1649, 11 January 1882, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1882.

The Government have at length taken a step winch shows that they have not altogether lost sight of the " Adulteration Prevention Act." We observe that in a recent issue of the New Zealand Gazette, there is an Order in Council which defines the fees to be paid for analysis. We find that for each analysis of milk, bread, and meat, the charge is to be 2s 6d. From the wording of the sentence, it may be taken for granted that the one fee ineludes an analysis of the several articles mentioned. Then, for any article of groceries, the fee is fixed at ss. We fancy that the analysts will have some difficulty in fixing their charges. How about preserved milk for instance 1 ! That is most certainly an article of grocery, and as such has a fee of 5s placed against it, although an analysis of milk can be done at 2s 6d. However, the real defect appears to be this : that except in Wellington (so far as we are aware) no Government analysts have been appointed. It is extremely lucky for some people in Westland that such is the case ; but on the other hand, it is a most deplorable thing for the community as a whole, that the omission was not rectified long since. Imagine the amount of liquid poison which has been poured down the throats of holidaymakers (Heaven save the mark !) dining the last few weeks, the methylated and otherwise doctored stuff which goes by the name of brandy. It would bs very easy to give the name of someone in Hokitika whom the people of this district may thauk for half the vile stufF which is consumed here. There are publicans who appear to have arrived at the conclusion that because they succeed in obtaining what is called brandy at a couple of shillings per gallon under the price of the genuine article that they have thereby done a great stroke of business. There never was a greater fallacy. Any reasonable man possessing a palate which discharges its ordinary functions, would hesitate before swallowing a second dose of the nauseous stuff, and would in all probability mentally decide upon passing the house for the futute instead of entering it. There are a variety of processes l>v which cheap and nasty brandy are prepared, and one of the latest is to obtain some ginger wine, and bring it up to the required degree of proof by the administration of spirits of wine and other vile, drugs. This comae is being extensively pursued by certain wholesale houses in Melbourne, at the present time, and when it has been " doctored " sufficiently, it is duly placarded with forged labels, while the. cases are branded with apparently genuine Hennessy's marks. Every one who denls in these vile compounds L-i equally to blame : the man who originally concocts the poison, the so-called wholesale dealer who i reports it, and the retailer who buys the filth at a reduced price, knowing that in vending it he will very materially injure the constitutions of every one who partakes it. These are soro-e of the considerations- which present

themselves in studying the loose manner in which the laws for the prevention .of the adulteration of food are carried out. Duly qualified analysts should be appointed in all of the important centres of population throughout the colony, arid then there would be an opportunity of bringing to justice some of the dishonest traders that infest New Zealand. It is to he hoped that the Government will shortly take such steps as will prevent the-“ Adulteration Prevention Act ” remaining a dead letter.